Swiftly's Unified Data Platform Enhances Transit Reliability
Swiftly delivers a unified data platform that offers real-time passenger predictions, fleet monitoring, and alerts, improving operational efficiency for transit agencies.
The Problem of Ghost and Zombie Buses
Ghost and zombie buses cause confusion and frustration for riders. Ghost buses are those expected but that never arrive, while zombie buses unexpectedly appear without prior notice.
"Ghost bus: A bus that a rider expects to arrive but doesn’t. The app shows a bus arriving in 5 minutes, but as the countdown hits zero, the bus disappears and fails to show up, leaving riders stranded and uncertain."
"Zombie bus: A bus that a rider doesn’t expect but arrives as a surprise. The app shows that the next bus is 20 minutes away, yet one shows up in 5 minutes, leaving riders guessing rather than planning."
Impact on Rider Trust and Transit Experience
These irregularities damage rider trust in real-time data and undermine public transit's reliability. The broken promise that passengers can rely on accurate bus arrival times leads to frustration and dissatisfaction.
Ghost and zombie buses are more than operational glitches; they disrupt riders' expectations and trust. Searching #GhostedByTheBus on social media reveals many similar stories from affected passengers.
Swiftly's Solution
Swiftly builds tools to eliminate ghost and zombie bus incidents, ensuring transit data remains accurate and dependable, even during unexpected events. This leads to fewer stranded passengers and a more reliable transit experience overall.
Author’s summary: Swiftly’s platform tackles ghost and zombie bus issues to restore rider trust and enhance real-time transit accuracy, creating a smoother public transportation experience.