Real-time bus departures

[Barney]

Real-time bus departures
Generally, the reliability and punctuality of bus services has improved out of all recognition in the past decade. Operators, both large and small, recognise that unless the bus arrives at the stop when it should do, passengers/customers will be less inclined to use or rely on its services. Having said that, try as it might an operator cannot always guarantee that its services will run to scheduled time.

In some parts of the country, particularly London and the south east, real-time bus information has been available for a long time. Last year National Express made this facility available for its services but, apart from a limited trial of a system about 12 years ago, Merseyside has never adopted it. Arriva has recently introduced a smart-phone app which will, in the coming months provide real-time information. It has already been introduced in its north east region and, according to one forum member, kuyoyo, it seems to be working well and has been well-received. Also, I have read that Stagecoach intend to set up a similar facility across all of its services by 2015.

I have two questions:
1. Does any area in the north west already provide real-time bus information through a smart phone app?
2. Does anybody know if Merseytravel intend to make real-time information through a single app?