Swiftly’s Unified Data Platform for Transit
Swiftly provides a unified data platform delivering real-time passenger predictions, fleet monitoring, and alerts to enhance transit efficiency.
Challenges of Ghost and Zombie Buses
Ghost and zombie buses cause frustration for riders by disrupting transit expectations. Ghost buses never arrive as predicted, while zombie buses show up unexpectedly, both undermining trust in real-time data.
Definitions of Ghost and Zombie Buses
- Ghost bus: A bus expected by riders but never arrives. For example, an app may show a bus arriving in 5 minutes, yet it disappears when the countdown ends, leaving passengers stranded and uncertain.
- Zombie bus: A bus that arrives sooner than the app indicates, such as showing a 20-minute wait but appearing in 5 minutes, which disrupts riders' planning.
Impact on Rider Trust and Transit Experience
“Ghost and zombie buses break the promise that public transit makes to riders: You’ll know when your bus is coming.”
These occurrences not only frustrate riders but also erode confidence in transit reliability, resulting in stranded and confused passengers.
Public Awareness
The issue is widely recognized on social platforms; searching #GhostedByTheBus on X (formerly Twitter) reveals many rider stories about these frustrating experiences.
Swiftly’s Mission
Swiftly builds tools that help transit agencies eliminate ghost and zombie buses, making real-time transit information dependable even when unexpected events occur, ultimately improving the rider experience.
Author’s summary: Swiftly’s platform tackles the challenge of unpredictable buses, restoring rider trust by providing accurate, real-time transit data that enhances overall reliability and reduces passenger uncertainty.