Laval, Quebec – Commuters in Laval will now find it easier to use public transit, thanks to the launch of electronic display units installed at the 80 busiest stops on the Société de transport de Laval (STL) network.
The large-scale roll-out, a first in Greater Montreal and unprecedented in Canada, is the first phase STL Synchro, an ambitious customer information program.
By receiving data sent by the global positioning systems equipped on all STL vehicles, the new display units indicate how many minutes it will take for the next two buses to pass by the stop. The information is updated an average of every 20 seconds, based on the exact position of the 235 STL buses.
STL Synchro can also be accessed on the Internet at STL, where users can register and indicate the stops they use most often. From then on, the home page will automatically provide them with the schedule for the next three times the buses will pass by their stops on the routes selected. An online dynamic map updates the position of each bus along its route every 20 seconds. Smartphone uses may download the application and sign up to receive alerts, notices and detours, while a free iPhone application is now available. Later in the spring of 2010, a text messaging system will be offered.
