BusesAroundMe (BAM)

Giving is an essential part of Roadify—without it, the system simply can’t work. So, you need Street CARma points to “get” bus locations. Every time you “give” a bus location, you get a point.

We’re giving everyone three bonus points to start. After that, you’ll start earning points by submitting information. The more you and other Roadifiers give, the better we can estimate bus arrival times for those “getting” down the line, and the more valuable the service will be to the community!

Being a good giver and earning points will have other benefits as well. Soon you will be able to redeem your points for gifts from local businesses and more.

TWITTER: You can also use BAM via Twitter by direct messaging @roadify with the same “give/get” format as with texting.

REMEMBER- THE MORE YOU GIVE, THE MORE YOU GET!!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is BusesAroundMe (BAM)?
2. Why would I want to participate in BAM?
3. What do you mean by “GIVING” bus information?
4. How do I start using BAM?
5. How do I “give” bus information?
6. How do I “get” bus information?
7. What is the list of times BAM gives me after I try to GET bus info?
8. What is the best way to give? On or off bus?
9. For which areas is BAM available?
10. How often should I give bus information to BAM?
11. What are some examples of situations when I would use BusesAroundMe?
12. Sometimes when I get/give to BAM, I get a response about parking. What's going on?
13. Is BAM free to use?
14. Is this info available online?

1. What is BusesAroundMe (BAM)?
   BusesAroundMe is a free text service that provides bus riders with free and easily-accessible bus arrival times. Because buses are sometimes off-schedule, BAM provides users with both schedule times (taken from MTA schedules) AND estimated times (based on the location of the bus reported by people along the bus route).
   Our estimated arrival times are what make our system special . These adjusted times are based on real-time information that other bus riders GIVE to the system upstream from you.
   As with Roadify’s other service ParkingAroundMe, these adjusted times are “community-powered.” In other words, adjusted times are only available if the community takes a few seconds to GIVE to each other. We are optimistic that our communities will rise to the occasion.
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2. Why would I want to participate in BAM?
   BAM helps users avoid unnecessary waiting at bus stops. Ever wait in the rain or cold for a late bus? Ever been stuck trying to decide whether to walk to your destination or wait for the next bus? With BAM, you can access both scheduled and adjusted arrival times to save you a few valuable minutes of your day.
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3. What do you mean by “GIVING” bus information?
   GIVING to BAM means sending us an update about where the bus actually is on its route. Since buses sometimes run off-schedule, we use information GIVEN by users to calculate adjusted bus arrival times which are sent to GETTERS downstream on the bus route. Just like with ParkingAroundMe, if people don’t GIVE, then we can’t “GET” these valuable adjusted times. So please remember — THE MORE WE GIVE THE MORE WE ALL CAN GET!
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4. How do I start using BAM?
   Text the word “BAM” to 95495 with any cell phone. This signs you up. You only have to do this the first time you text Roadify and will then be able to GIVE and GET bus information.
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5. How do I “GIVE” bus info?
   Send a text to Roadify (95495) with the word “GIVE”, the bus line (“B67”), the bus’s direction (“dtwn” towards Dumbo or “kens” towards Kensington), and the intersection of the bus’s current location.
   For example: “give B67 Dtwn 7 av and 9 st”
   
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6. How do I “GET” bus info?
   Text the word “GET” to 95495 with your bus line, the bus’s direction, and the intersection near your bus stop. Abbreviations are OK.
   For example: “get B67 Dtwn 7 av and 9 st”
   After you send this text, we will respond with a list of scheduled and adjusted arrival times.
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7. What is the list of times BAM gives me after I try to GET bus info?
   Here is a sample of the list of arrival times we might send you after you text “GET,” your bus line and location message to us:
   
   B67 Dntwn
   Stop: 7th Av-9th St:
   Scheduled: 12:11, 12:26, 12:29 Roadify Report: spotted @ 12:28
   ETA at your stop: 12:35
   We first give you the next three scheduled times at the stop closest to you based on the MTA’s schedule. The Roadify Report tells you when the bus was most recently spotted (heading in your direction). Based on that person’s location, we can determine the Estimated Time of Arrival of that bus at your selected stop. Keep in mind our ETA is an estimate, therefore we do not guarantee the bus will arrive exactly at this time.
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8. What is the best way to give? On or off bus?
   Get on the bus, grab a seat if you can get one, then send your text as you pull up to the next stop. Provide the location for that next stop, not the one where you got on. That way, you’re not trying to text, pay your fare and get a seat all at the same time. You can press “SEND” at the exact time the bus arrives at the stop you are texting about.
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9. For which areas is BAM available?
   Currently, BAM is only available for the B67 MTA bus running in Brooklyn, New York City. This is our pilot project that will help us refine the service before expanding to other parts of New York City.
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10. How often should I give bus information to BAM?
    Give as often as you ride. In order for BAM to work, we all need to spend a few seconds giving information that can help our fellow bus riders. And, when it’s your turn to GET, there’s a much better chance useful information will be available for you.
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11. What are some examples of situations when I would use BusesAroundMe?
    
    • Imagine you are trying to go to a store that is 15 blocks away — not too far to walk, but far enough to consider taking the bus. Do you take 15-20 minutes to walk? Or do you take the chance and wait for the bus. Wouldn’t it be helpful to know if there was a bus coming in the next 2-3 minutes? If so, you would definitely take the bus. This is where you can use BAM to find out.
    • Are those bus tail lights a few blocks ahead? Damn! You just missed the bus and the schedule says another isn’t coming for 20 minutes. You’d love to grab a slice while you wait, but it’s hard to trust those bus schedules. Use BAM to see if another bus is on the way more quickly or if you’ve got time to down that pizza.
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12. Sometimes when I get/give to BAM, I get a response about parking. What's going on?
    This may be caused by one of either two things. First make sure you are providing BAM with the bus line immediately after the word "give" or "get" like this: "give b67 dtwn 7 av and 9 st." If you do not include a bus line, Roadify's system will assume you are talking about parking.
    Another thing that may be causing this is if you are entering a busline that we do not yet support. Currently service is only activated for one bus line, the b67. If the system doesn't recognize the bus line you provide, it will assume you are talking about parking.
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13. Is BAM free to use?
    YES, it is free to use!
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14. Is this info available online?
    Currently, the bus schedule information is not available online.
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We’re starting our beta testing with the B67 route in Park Slope. As it is our first route, we ask for your patience but also your input to help improve our service. If you would like your bus route to be the next one that Roadify adds email us at info@roadify.com. The first line with 100 votes will receive the Roadify treatment. Check back to see if your route is up!