New app helps travellers track Tauranga buses in real time

Transit is free to download. Photo/ Transit app

Local bus users will be able to easily plan their journey with the introduction of a new smartphone app.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council would roll-out the app that would provide real-time information for some routes.

The new app, Transit, allowed users to see the next buses arriving at their location, set a favourite route number, and plan their journey in real-time.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council public transport committee chairman Lyall Thurston said the smartphone technology would help provide a more reliable and efficient public transport service.

"Like when we introduced Wi-Fi, this is all about enhancing the experience and making bus use more convenient," Thurston said.

The app was currently used in 164 cities in 10 countries around the world, showing local information as you travel.

Thurston said the app was now available for all Tauranga and Te Puke urban routes, as well as Katikati and Omokoroa.

Transit was free to download from the App Store for Apple iPhones or Play Store/Google Play for Android users.

The council would phase out the current text-a-bus service over the next few months.