Toronto's transit system launched a new program on Monday that should make it a little less frustrating to wait for the bus.
Transit riders can now check real-time bus schedules to learn how soon the next bus will arrive at a specific stop.
People can either check Nextbus.com using their smartphones or text the stop number to the six-digit short code 898882 (TXTTTC) and receive the next arrival time.
There is a limit of 10 text messages every 12 hours from one cell phone number. There is no charge from TTC, however standard text-messaging rates do apply.
The system uses GPS software to keep track of buses and report how far they are away from more than 9,300 stops inside Toronto and more than 800 others around the GTA.
Television screens located at the Bathurst, Broadview, Dundas West, Main Street and Spadina subway stations, as well as the Bathurst/Adelaide and Queen/Spadina street shelters, will also display the route information.
The TTC already uses similar software in its fleet of streetcars, and makes the information available to smartphone applications such as Rocket Radar, which charges a one-time download fee.
