We strive to provide the best service possible to its customers. With this in mind, the following provides a snapshot of our performance on a month-to-month basis. These performance measurements help us identify trends and evaluate our efficiency and effectiveness.
For alternate formats of this information, please contact grtinfo@regionofwaterloo.ca
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does GRT mean by "real-time" when referencing any of the systems providing this information? |
A number of GRT's traveller information systems give predicted real-time departure information for buses so riders have a better idea of when their bus will be leaving their stop. While GRT expects most predictions to be reasonably accurate, the technology is complex and relies on multiple systems, on and off the bus to work together. Because of this complexity, riders may occasionally receive inaccurate information when one system fails to communicate with the others. |
2. How else is real-time location information used? |
Transit Control Centre staff monitor the schedule performance of each GRT route and make any necessary service adjustments. Transit schedulers analyze average bus travel times and adjust route schedules accordingly. |
3. What is a timepoint? |
Each bus route has series of bus stops, usually at major intersections or landmarks, that are identified as timepoints on its schedule. For example, "King at University" is one of thirteen timepoints identified on the Route 7 public timetable. Bus operators drive to the scheduled time at these timepoints. In addition, every bus stop between timepoints has a time associated to it but these times are subject to some variability so customers are asked to be at stops 5 minutes early. |
4. What is considered an on-time bus? |
A bus is considered on time when it has departed from a timepoint at the scheduled time or no more than 3 minutes late. A bus departing more than 3 minutes after the scheduled time is considered late, while a bus departing before the scheduled time is considered early. |
5. How does GRT calculate on-time performance? |
All GRT buses are equipped with an Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system that uses GPS technology to monitor in real-time the location of each bus. The AVL system determines the location of each bus and then compares it to where each bus is scheduled to be. On-time performance is then calculated by determining the percent of buses that are never early and up to 3 minutes late. |
6. How does GRT account for detours or weather? |
Weather or detours can affect the on-time performance of buses. In a snow storm, buses will typically run later than scheduled which will be reflected in the calculation of schedule adherence. If a detour is known about in advance and will last for a significant length of time (such as a month or longer road construction project), GRT staff will take this into account and, when possible, adjust the schedule for the affected route(s). On-time performance is based on the adjusted schedules. In contrast, the schedule for a route is not adjusted for detours that occur with little advance notice or are only in effect for a short time. Examples of events that cause short-term detours include a water main break, traffic accident or minor road repair. For these short-term detours, a bus is recorded as running late. |