Do you know that you can shorten your wait in the elements by relying on www.nextbus.com. This Web service provides real-time arrival information for several Northern Virginia bus systems (as well as other transit systems) and is accessible via the Web and handheld electronic devices. NextBus information is not a static schedule listing --- it is actual arrival information, updated at regular intervals.

Because traffic variations, breakdowns, and day-to-day problems faced by any transit provider can interrupt service, NextBus was designed to keep you on schedule even if your bus or train isn't. From the comfort and security of a protected place, you can learn when the next bus will arrive at your stop.

NextBus uses satellite technology and advanced computer modeling to track vehicles on their routes. Each vehicle is fitted with a satellite tracking system. Taking into account the actual position of the buses, their intended stops, and the typical traffic patterns, NextBus can estimate vehicle arrivals with a high degree of accuracy. This estimate is updated constantly.

The predictions are then made available on the World Wide Web and to wireless devices including signs at bus stops and business, internet capable cell phones, Palm Pilots, and other Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). Conditions can change rapidly---but keep watching NextBus and you'll always have the most current information available.