About LookingBus
LookingBus addresses one of the most common (and frustrating) complaints in transit: buses failing to pick up riders waiting at the stop.
These pass-ups not only leave riders stranded and disrupt daily plans, but also pose safety and health risks, especially in extreme weather or late at night, and undermine rider trust. They are not an easy fix, since many factors are beyond the driver’s control and can’t be solved by training alone.
LookingBus reduces pass-ups and monitors them in real time to reveal underlying patterns. The system functions as a remote stop request, similar to the onboard button riders use to signal they want to get off at the next stop, but used by someone waiting to board. It works remotely through software, with no physical buttons or other hardware at the stop.
Reach out to learn how LookingBus can improve reliability in your transit system.
Transit Technology for Reliable Fixed-Route Service
Reduce Pass-Ups
Smart technology that makes a difference in rider experience. Every missed pickup is one too many, and no rider should be left behind.
Smart Stop Request
Similar to an in-bus stop request, a real-time alert is sent remotely to the relevant bus when riders are waiting to board at the next stop.
Transit Accessibility
Enhance accessibility by ensuring all riders are noticed, including people with disabilities who are often ignored.
Data Insights
A dashboard with live notifications and detailed data for real-time issue resolution and deeper performance analysis.
What is LookingBus?
Transportation Technology for Tackling Pass-Ups in Fixed-Route Service
LookingBus is an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) that helps reduce missed pickups. It sends real-time notifications to bus operators about riders waiting to board, helping them avoid missed pickups even at busy stops or in low visibility, without adding workload or distractions. It also monitors pass-ups in real time, providing agencies with systematic data and insights to identify patterns and improve service reliability.
LookingBus is designed for all riders and for all transit agencies that put customer experience first.
Why are Pass-Bys a Problem?
Pass-ups | Mishaps | Missed stops
Pass-ups are more than missed buses, they’re missed opportunities and often put riders at risk, especially in extreme weather or late at night.
When a bus doesn’t pick up a rider waiting at the stop, the ripple effect is immediate: Missed pickups. Missed work. Missed appointments. Frustrated riders. Lost time. Increased safety risk. Lost trust in the service.
Pass-ups are among the most common transit complaints, often accounting for over 25% of rider complaints, and should no longer be overlooked. LookingBus gives agencies a smart way to reduce pass-ups, strengthen reliability, and deliver the accountable service riders expect.
How Does LookingBus Work?
Smart Real-Time Alerts, When and Where You Need Them
When a rider (using the LookingBus app) arrives at the stop, the system automatically sends a stop request to the relevant bus, informing the operator that riders intend to board. In parallel, riders receive updates as their bus approaches, and dispatch operators stay informed via the dashboard. Every trip is logged, giving agencies clear insight into pass-up patterns and frequency (such as by bus stop, driver, or route).
- Targeted alerts sent only to the relevant bus
- Right timing, just before approaching the stop
- No hardware at the stop
- All activity is logged for analysis
Built around real-time alerts, LookingBus offers a simple, foolproof solution to missed pickups that’s both cost-effective and easy to adopt.
Who Needs LookingBus?
Transit agencies that care about reliability, safety, and rider experience
LookingBus is essential for all fixed-route transit systems that struggle with pass-ups, a challenge faced by most agencies. Some say bus operators just need to be more attentive, but even the most skilled drivers miss riders. It is an unavoidable reality of a complex system. In fact, pass-ups stem from many factors, and it is not always the driver’s fault, so training alone is not enough.
The solution is not to expect human perfection but to provide better tools without adding workload or distraction. With the right technological tools, drivers can better serve their riders, reduce missed pickups, and build trust in the system.
Systematic Visibility Into Pass-Ups
Data-informed Decisions
In addition to reducing pass-ups, transit agencies need clear, consistent insight into pass-up patterns beyond surveys and anecdotal customer complaints.
LookingBus addresses this by monitoring pass-ups in real time and logging every trip to reveal where and when pass-ups occur across operational elements such as stops, routes, times of day, and operators.
This information helps agencies better understand underlying factors and make targeted, data-driven improvements in planning, training, and day-to-day operations.
Accessibility and Inclusion in Public Transit
Expanding Mobility Options Beyond Paratransit
Riders with disabilities often rely on public transit and have limited options to get around, so when the bus doesn’t pick them up, it directly limits their independence and participation in community life.
Some might argue that riders with disabilities can simply rely on paratransit, but the reality is that paratransit is costly for transit agencies and often overbooked.
By improving accessibility on fixed-route buses and offering more flexible options for riders who don’t strictly need paratransit, agencies can ease pressure on paratransit while simultaneously enhancing both modes of transportation, eventually benefiting both transit systems.
Supporting Zero Emission Buses (ZEBs)
LookingBus supports transit agencies in adopting Zero Emission Buses (ZEBs) by addressing challenges faced by riders with visual impairments who rely on auditory cues.
