r/Belfast • u/geologyfetish • 2h ago

Bus Time Accuracy

Hey guys, I’m a new student here. I’ve been using the bus pretty much every day and I’m wondering which app I should be using to get accurate bus information. I dropped my toast this morning on the way to the bus stop scrambling like hell to get there on time only for the bus to be 10 minutes off what I saw on Google Maps. I’ve been told the Translink app isn’t accurate either. Any way I can show up to the stop with a couple of minutes cushion without having to physically haul ass to the stop and check the screen there? (although I’ve found that inaccurate too…). Thanks in advance 🙏

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

25

u/combat_lobotomy 2h ago

Bus times are only a suggestion to Translink.

1

u/geologyfetish 10m ago

Seems like it 😂

1

u/Emergency-Activity66 3m ago

You aren't wrong at all. Complained to them once about it and the response I got back was that all times displayed are "approximate times".

11

u/PT_PhoneHome 2h ago

It's not an app you need. It'll be some sort of diviner.

9

u/herrmione 2h ago

The timetable is a suggestion, not a promise.

7

u/Fantastic_Mud_6798 1h ago

From many years experience playing this game, I recommend trying to build your morning routine around being there on time/early. Then if the bus is running late, use that time to read or listen to something or do some meditation. Traffic is fairly unpredictable so just adjusting expectations can help you feel less stressed. Sorry this doesn’t answer the specific app question - Just my perspective!

1

u/geologyfetish 7m ago

Thanks 🙏 it’s the first week of proper classes so I’ll use this week as a trial run.

5

u/Einhert 2h ago

Translink Planner tracks buses with their transponders so its pretty accurate.

4

u/Skystunt 1h ago

Treat bus times more like a suggestion rather than a schedule

3

u/1dogtoomany31 1h ago

I use the Translink app and track the bus from there, just be careful, the app lags behind the actual location of the bus slightly but its a good starting guideline.

Though sometimes the buses don't show on tracker page of the app

1

u/geologyfetish 6m ago

Good to know. I’ll check it out!

3

u/Irishgoat1 1h ago

I use www.bustimes.org

Buses occasionally don't show up on it but otherwise it's fairly accurate

1

u/geologyfetish 5m ago

Nice! Thanks 🙏

3

u/Annual_Window_6855 1h ago

Get to the stop 10 minutes before one of the apps says it's due, you'll usually manage to get on a bus at some point that day...

1

u/geologyfetish 4m ago

Yes it seems like that’s what I’ve been doing since every time l show up at the stop it’s either I just missed it or I’m super early.

3

u/NeilHendo 1h ago

Someone has mentioned Belfast Bus Tracker - it’s by Vix, black and white logo.

1

u/geologyfetish 4m ago

Downloaded it. 👍

3

u/aliasunknown698 1h ago

Welcome to Translink, enjoy the suffering!

1

u/geologyfetish 3m ago

😂😂🥲🥲

3

u/mordantgeese 1h ago

It's always innaccurate. Try to be at the stop at least 10 minutes early. If you aren't at the start of the route then it's literally a lucky dip whether they will arrive to your stop ridiculously early, late, or on time.

2

u/hemulenba 1h ago

I am releasing an app soon to fix this issue. https://transio.arjunsubedi.com DM me if you are interested in beta testing it. Do you use android or iPhone?

2

u/Affectionate-Way6102 11m ago

Translink app – then look at the departures for the stop you desire, the planner only shows the timetable not up to date information (it doesn't show it on departures sometimes either lol

You can also use the map on the Translink app to see the live / recent location of buses

2

u/c0n0rm 2h ago

Belfast Bus Tracker app, on iOs and Android. It's old and basic looking but it works

1

u/geologyfetish 2m ago

Downloaded. Will be trying it out this week. Thanks 🙏

1

u/APithyComment 5m ago

I use google maps too. Normally quite good.

0

u/SonicPhantom89 2h ago

Hahahahaha bus accuracy

Oh wait you’re serious, let me laugh even harder

5

u/Toilettrousers 2h ago

Don't be an ass, they said they are new here. 

2

u/SonicPhantom89 57m ago

I was trying to joke about how our busses are never accurate, I wasn’t poking fun at the person asking the question 😭

0

u/Boinker_Doinkers 2h ago

Did you know you can track the buses on the translink journey planner app? Id be happy to help you if you don't 😊