Bus & Train trackers explained - CTA (2024)

Bus & Train trackers explained - CTA (1)

About our trackers

Our Bus Tracker and Train Tracker are among the most useful and popular tools we've made available to CTA riders, providing estimated arrival or departure times for bus and train stops across our network. Data from these services also appears in a wide range of apps, like the Ventra app.

Each service uses a combination of real-time vehicle location data (by GPS, track and/or other sensors), historical travel time data and schedule-based info to generate the best possible estimated arrival/departure times with available data.

Reading results: real-time vs. schedule-based information

Both Bus Tracker and Train Tracker prioritize live data based on real-time vehicle locations and rely on schedule-based data when no live data is yet available about a trip.

A good rule of thumb: Three radio waves typically means bus or train arrival information is based on real-time data. Each app or website can make their own design choices, so it is always good to review your favorite trip planning and transit app or website to ensure you understand how it presents schedule-based versus real-time data.

For example, here Train Tracker is showing an estimated arrival based on real-time data, followed by a second estimated arrival based on schedule-based data. The real-time prediction is indicated by the radio-wave icon, and the schedule-based prediction is indicated by a clock icon.

Bus & Train trackers explained - CTA (2)

Because real-time data for trains only becomes available once a train has departed its terminal, it isoften important for us tosupplement that information with schedule-based data. This is especially helpful at or near train terminals, where real-time info for any given train is not available until it departs.

What about in apps?

Lots of apps use data we freely share with interested developers as part of our efforts to make it easier to find transit data no matter where you look.

Some apps duplicate or build on our own features, and even do their own blending between real-time and schedule-based info. Apps very commonly use a symbol like radio waves, too, to indicate real-time data versus schedule-based info.

Here's an example from our Ventra app:

Bus & Train trackers explained - CTA (3)

How accurate is the information?

Arrival estimates based on real-time data tend to be highly accurate. This info is based on actual vehicle location and, depending on which system it's coming from, known travel times from point to point along our bus and train lines based on historical, observed travel time data which is regularly updated.

No tracking system is perfect, however, and the quality of information our computers can output can be affected by a variety of unpredictable or abnormal factors that affect our tracking systems just as it does most of our peers. These could include:

  • A trip being adjusted or cancelled to balance service following a delay
  • A staffing availability issue that affects schedule adherence
  • A reroute or delay on a line that slows or stops service
  • A missed terminal departure for any reason (Operator availability, reassignment of resources, a train experiencing an equipment problem, etc.)
  • Equipment failures or technological limitations, such as poor cellular connections or malfunctioning GPS units

Any of these and numerous other conditions can either make an estimate inaccurate, such as a bus taking much longer to get to you than we expect because of something blocking the street ahead of it.

Why would a bus or train disappear from the trackers?

In some cases, you may see a bus or train disappear from listings because a bus has been removed from service or was diverted along an unexpected path—or in the event a scheduled departure doesn't occur due to an issue at a terminal.

For example, when buses go off their usual route, they disappear from the Bus Tracker system because it can't tell what route they'll take to return to their normal route—once a bus returns to its normal route, it begins showing again in upcoming stops' arrival estimates.

Learn more about some of the other nuances of how Bus Tracker works on its home page.

In Train Tracker, if a scheduled train doesn't depart on time you may see it show "<1 min" or "---" for a bit beyond the planned departure time, in case a train is just slightly delayed. If no train departs for too long, it may roll down to the next one in the list pending a departure where live data can take over. (This sometimes happens when there's an issue with a train, or if people at the terminal are manually modifying when trains depart, separate from the digitized schedule, to rebalance service during or after a problem.)

You can learn more about these behaviors in the page.

How to access the trackers

The CTA Bus Tracker service lets you look up estimated arrival times and other information via the following means:

  • Bus Tracker on the web (estimated arrivals in your browser) where you can look up stops by picking from lists or typing in a stop ID
  • Bus Tracker mobile (mobile version of the above)
  • Bus Tracker by Text (look up stop IDs online or see instructions at bottom of bus stop signs)
  • Bus Tracker Map (see buses, estimated arrival times by stop or vehicle, and more, on a map in your desktop browser)

The CTA Train Tracker service lets you look up estimated arrival times and other information via the following:

  • Train Tracker on the web (mobile and desktop-friendly) where you can look up arrivals:
    • By manually picking from a list
    • By allowing the website to detect your location and show nearby stops
    • By searching by stop name
    • By entering a train's run number ("follow that train")
    • By picking from a list of recent or favorited stops
  • Train Tracker by Text (look up stop IDs online or see instructions on timetable posters in each station)
  • Train Tracker Map (see trains and estimated arrival times by stop or vehicle on a map in your desktop browser)

Quick links

Schedules Fares Maps

Alerts Trackers Bus & Train trackers explained - CTA (9)Ventra

System status snapshot

‘L’ route status

Red Line

Normal Service

Blue Line

Normal Service

Brown Line

Normal Service

Green Line

Planned Work

Orange Line

Normal Service

Pink Line

Minor Delays

Purple Line

Planned Work

Yellow Line

Normal Service

All ‘L’ alerts: Current‘L’ alerts or Upcoming‘L’ alerts

Bus routes w/alerts

2

4

X4

7

8A

9

12

15

18

21

22

29

37

43

47

51

54A

54B

56

60

62

66

76

77

78

81

84

86

88

90

94

97

106

108

124

125

134

135

136

157

192

All bus alerts: Currentbus alerts or Upcomingbus alerts

Elevator alerts

Red Line

79th, Jackson, Jackson, Roosevelt, Wilson

Green Line

Ashland

Purple Line

Davis

Pink Line

Ashland

Purple Line Exp

Davis, Wilson

All elevator alerts: Currentelevator alerts or Upcomingelevator alerts

See also: complete system status

Bus & Train trackers explained - CTA (2024)

FAQs

How does CTA track buses? ›

CTA Bus Tracker uses GPS devices to report bus location data (and more) back to our CTA servers.

How does the bus tracking system work? ›

The system consists of three main components: a GPS device installed on each bus, a centralized server or cloud platform, and a user interface for passengers. The GPS device continuously collects data such as current location, speed, and direction from satellites orbiting the Earth.

What is the CTA assessment test? ›

The Certified TestStand Architect (CTA) is the final step in the two-part TestStand certification process. The exam verifies a user's expertise in architecting test systems based on TestStand from high-level specifications.

Why does CTA have ghost buses? ›

CTA bus tracker 'ghosts' are frequent issue for riders, agency says it's caused by staffing shortage. The CTA bus tracker can sometimes show a bus coming that never arrives. These "ghost buses" are a major problem for commuters on a daily basis.

Are CTA trains automated? ›

Later, the CTA upgraded to an Automatic Train Control System, which provides instructions electronically not only on wayside signals but also in the motorman's itself. Most of the CTA employs this system, though the Dearborn Subway and Forest Park (Congress) branch still use the ABS system they were built with.

Why do CTA bus stops beep? ›

Bus shelter features

The push button is located inside the shelter, typically on the left front pole when facing the street, at a height of 42 inches above the ground—it also chirps occasionally letting riders who are blind or who have limited vision know that the shelter is equipped with arrival information.

How does the bus tracker work? ›

The telematics device installed on the bus collects and transmits critical vehicle and driver data in real-time. The data is sent to central servers via cellular networks and GPS Satellite networks which will perform all computations and store each bus position in the database.

How do train trackers work? ›

The solution is based on powerful combination of mobile computing, Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies and software. The inbuilt GPS module identifies the train location with a highest accuracy and transfers the information to the central system.

Are bus trackers accurate? ›

TransMach has launched a ticket machine-enabled real-time vehicle tracking system called Bus Tracker that it says is “the most accurate” such product in the industry. Bus Tracker utilises Transmach's 4G Android ticket machines to pinpoint location via GPS.

How long does it take to hear back from CTA after an interview? ›

The sourcing and selection process can take 3-4 weeks after the requisition expires. The hiring process can take up to 6-8 weeks after the interview stage.

What is a bus driver assessment? ›

It measures various aspects such as driving skills, traffic rules, safety procedures, and customer service skills specific to the role of a bus driver.

Has a CTA train ever derailed? ›

Fifteen people refused treatment, he said. Service on the CTA Yellow, Purple and Red Lines has been disrupted, officials said. The incident appears to be the most significant CTA train derailment since March 24, 2014, when a CTA Blue Line overran the O'Hare station, injuring 34 people.

Why are CT busses free? ›

Fares have been suspended on all public transit buses in Connecticut since April 1, 2022, as a result of a state law Governor Lamont signed last year. Federal restrictions prevent the state from extending this suspension for any longer than 12 months.

What engine does a CTA bus have? ›

Bus Specifications
ManufactureNew Flyer
PropulsionDiesel
EngineCummins ISM6 1000-1429 Cummins ISM7 1430-1629 Cummins ISL7 1630-1929 Cummins ISL8 1930-2029
TransmissionZF 6HP592C 1000-1429 ZF 6HP594C 1430-1929 Allison B400 1930-2029
Length40'
7 more rows

Do CTA buses have cameras? ›

Buses. Currently, every vehicle in our fleet of more than 1,800 buses is equipped with multiple surveillance cameras.

What bus does CTA use? ›

Active bus fleet
YearManufacturer & ModelLength
2014New Flyer XE4040 ft (12 m)
2014–2019NovaBus LFS
2019–2022Proterra Catalyst BE40/ZX5
2022–NovaBus LFS
4 more rows

How do I track a moving bus? ›

Simply enter your bus service number or vehicle number and you will receive instant updates on your bus's real-time location and other relevant information about your bus. Mobile Compatibility: The AbhiBus APSRTC Bus Tracking system is mobile-friendly, enabling you to track your bus while you're on the move.

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