For an overview of the two types of transit data that power the Rider app — Schedule and Realtime — see GTFS Schedule vs. Realtime Data.
What is Real-Time Transit Information?
Transit agencies sometimes provide live updates about their vehicles and schedules. When available, Rider can show:
Live departure times instead of printed schedules
Delays and early departures so you know when your bus or train will actually arrive
Vehicle locations on the map so you can see where your ride is
When live data isn't available, Rider falls back to the published schedule.
Where You'll See It
Nearby Transit (Home Screen)
On the home screen, when you zoom in on the map, you'll see a list of nearby routes and stops. For each route:
Departure times show when the next trips leave
A signal icon next to a time means it's based on live data
Colors indicate status:
Green – On time
Red – Delayed
Yellow – Early
A warning icon means there's a service alert for that trip
Tap a route to see more details, including a map and live vehicle positions when available.
Trip Planning
When you plan a trip and choose a route with fixed-route transit (bus, train, etc.):
In the trip timeline:
Pickup and dropoff times may be updated with live data when your trip is within about an hour
Status messages such as "Departs in X minutes", "Delayed X minutes", or "Early X minutes"
Color coding (green/red/yellow) for on time, delayed, or early
On the map: A vehicle marker shows the live location of your bus or train when you're viewing that leg of the trip
When live updates apply:
Live updates are shown when your departure is within about an hour
After you've boarded, updates continue until you reach your stop
For trips far in the future, Rider shows the published schedule instead
Route Trip Screen
When you tap a route from Nearby Transit or from a planned trip, you'll see:
Departure times for each trip, with live data when available
Service alerts for delays, detours, or other issues
Vehicle positions on the map for the selected trip
Understanding the Icons and Colors
Red: Delayed
Yellow: Early
Green: On time
Warning icon: Service alert (delay, detour, or other notices)
Signal icon: This time is based on live data from the transit agency
When Is Live Data Available?
Live data depends on the transit agency. Some agencies provide it; others do not. Rider will:
Show live times and status when the agency provides them
Fall back to the published schedule when live data is not available
Refresh information regularly (about every 20–30 seconds) when you're viewing a screen that uses it
Tips
Zoom in on the map on the home screen to see nearby transit options
Check for the signal icon to know when times are live vs. scheduled
Use the colors to quickly see if your ride is on time, delayed, or early
Tap service alerts for more details about delays or changes
FAQs
Q: Does the route shape in the rider app update when a detour is shared in our GTFS Real Time data?
A: Not at this time, but this is something we're actively working on. Reach out if this is a use case that you have!
Q: Does the rider app display temporary stops when they are opened?
A: Not at this time, but this is something we're actively working on. Reach out if this is a use case that you have!
Q: If a stop is opened or closed, does the journey planning account for it?
A: Yes!
If you have questions about real-time transit in Rider, contact your organization's support team.