Our Technology

Automated announcements

All YRT vehicles are equipped with on-board audio equipment. The system will automatically announce next stop information 200 metres ahead of every stop. Coupled with the on-board VMS display, all customers (including those with visual or hearing impairments) will always be aware of upcoming stops during their ride.

Automated fare machines and PRESTO devices

Our Viva Bus Rapid Transit services uses a proof-of-payment system to allow for faster boardings. Customers can buy their fares using automated ticket vending machines, ticket validators or PRESTO devices installed at vivastations and terminals. Click here to learn more.

Automatic Passenger Counters

Automatic Passenger Counters (APCs) are installed above the doors in YRT vehicles. They keep track of the number of customers entering and exiting a vehicle at any given location. This data is used to analyze service use and patterns, and helps in Service Planning.

Complimentary Wi-Fi

York Region now offers complimentary wireless connectivity at the Richmond Hill Centre, Bernard, Promenade, Pioneer Village and Vaughan Mills Mall Terminals and on select Viva purple buses.

York Region's public Wi-Fi will allow you to connect to the Internet on your mobile device so you can:

• Follow @YRTViva on Twitter for #RiderAlert major service updates
• Look up real-time and scheduled bus information on the YRT app
• Keep connected to friends and family while travelling

Should you encounter any technical issues, please contact Spyders helpdesk at 1-888-855-3555.

Developer Centre

YRT has opened its resources to independent application developers interested in promoting the use of public transit. Visit our new Developer Centre to learn more.

Partnership with Google Maps

Since 2008, YRT has been working with Google to provide schedule information to Google Maps for their Google Transit service. In September 2012, we began providing real-time information through Google Maps.

YRT Pay app

PRESTO

Rapidway vivastations

Rapidways are dedicated lanes in the centre of the road for Viva vehicles only, and allow buses to zip past congested traffic.

Real-time app

Real-time technology

All YRT and Mobility Plus vehicles are equipped with Computer-Aided Dispatching (CAD) and Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) systems. It is through this combined system that we are able to offer real-time service information to our customers.

CAD offers comprehensive centralized real-time tracking and dispatching. Data transmitted from our vehicles is processed by the CAD system and provides bus positions, schedule adherence and incident information to the YRT Control Centre.

AVL provides the real-time position of each vehicle using global positioning system (GPS) technology. The location of each vehicle is relayed to the YRT Control Centre.

The combined CAD/AVL system provides benefits such as optimized performance of service, increased reliability and passenger safety. Our field supervisors and inspectors can monitor vehicles wirelessly and respond to any issues. The system allows for continuous communication between vehicles and the YRT Control Centre.

Try our RideNow real-time features now! 

Online: Enter or select any four-digit bus stop number through the Schedule Finder or RideNow features to access real-time info.

Email: Send an email to RideNow@york.ca with your four-digit bus stop number as the subject line. Real-time info for the next few buses due at your stop will be emailed back to you.

Phone: Call the YRT Information Line at 1-866-MOVE-YRT (668-3978) and use your four-digit bus stop number to hear real-time info for the next few buses due at your stop.

Security cameras

YRT vehicles and properties are equipped with security cameras. There are four to six cameras on-board each bus, and a digital video recorder. Terminal and bus stop cameras allow for remote real-time review and recording to improve safety/security, and to monitor service performance.

Video footage is not archived and is only retrieved from a bus or terminal if requested from police or YRT officials as evidence to a particular event.

Traffic Signal Priority

The use of Traffic Signal Priority (TSP) facilitates quicker movement of Viva vehicles through busy signalized intersections. The TSP system on Viva is capable of setting priority levels, making it one of the most sophisticated systems in North America, and is only activated to ensure the Viva service adheres to its scheduled frequency. TSP activation results in a green light signal extension or red light signal hold, depending on the traffic signal cycle.

Variable Message Signs

Our electronic variable message signs (VMS) display valuable information to our travelling customers. These signs are installed on YRT vehicles and at terminals and vivastations, and allow for increased communication with customers.

VMS signs at terminals and vivastations display real-time arrival information for routes servicing that stop. The current time and any additional information that may be valuable to our customers (e.g. service changes and rider alerts) are also displayed.

On-board vehicle displays show destination information when the bus is stationary at a stop or terminal. Once the bus leaves the stop or terminal, next stop information is shown.