(27 Oct 2017, 4:05 pm)Dan wrote Interesting points, and I agree with what you've said.

I've seen a demonstration of an app which allows operators to make use of push notifications. It allows users to "opt in" if they wish to receive push notifications for service updates. The user selects each service they would like to receive service updates for, and then every time a controller has a service update to publish regarding a specific service, they would tag the update with each service it is relevant to.

Clearly this is relying on a company's passengers having a smartphone with the app downloaded and I'm not suggesting it will appear in the North East any time soon, but for me, this has to be the way forward!

The only issue I think it could cause is potentially becoming overkill and giving a bit too much visibility, possibly becoming a little bit annoying to users.

Sticking with the rail example, Hull Trains and the one VTEC set have the screens which have scrolling news reports and TfL updates.
Again, something which can be taken up by bus operators and adapted to suit their passengers needs.

(28 Oct 2017, 10:56 am)DavidSBrough wrote http://app.arrivabus.co.uk is a website that Arriva has to show you the buses in real time. I use the website a lot because I can’t get the app on my phone.

I must admit that my personal phone doesn't let me use the apps either. My stubbornness and total lack of interest in compromising my phone choice to suit, is one reason why I dont use the apps.

Another, is their reputation for reliability and accuracy.
I gave up with the GNE app on my work phone after one too many glitches, areas of the app being removed 'temporarily', errors and re-boots and obviously there are comments about the accuracy of the ANE live tracking on the forum.

Being honest, I forgot you could follow the tracking via the website.

I suppose it adds weight to my comments about relying on various different sources, just to find out where the bus is.
Unless you fiddle around, click on a specific bus and use some intuition, the live tracking doesn't really tell you about any specific delays either.