News

Swiftly Fights Ghost and Zombie Buses

Swiftly provides a unified data platform that delivers real‑time passenger forecasts, fleet tracking, and alerts to improve transit system efficiency.

The Problem With Ghost and Zombie Buses

Public transit agencies and riders face serious challenges from so‑called “ghost” and “zombie” buses—vehicles that disrupt trust in real‑time transit data and make commuting unpredictable.

Ghost bus: A bus that a rider expects to arrive but never does. The app shows it coming in 5 minutes, but when the countdown ends, it disappears, leaving passengers stranded and confused.

Zombie bus: A bus that a rider does not expect but appears unexpectedly. The app says the next bus is 20 minutes away, yet one shows up in 5 minutes, throwing off plans and predictability.

Both cases erode confidence in public transit systems and fracture the core promise of reliable scheduling—knowing when the bus will actually arrive. These unpredictable events frustrate riders and create doubt in the accuracy of transit information.

How Swiftly Responds

Swiftly builds data tools that help agencies eliminate ghost and zombie buses, ensuring real-time updates remain trustworthy even when unforeseen disruptions occur. The result is fewer stranded passengers, greater efficiency, and restored confidence in transit reliability.

Community Impact

Frustration among riders is evident across social media. A quick search for #GhostedByTheBus on X (formerly Twitter) highlights numerous real-world stories of disrupted journeys and lost time.

Author’s Summary: Swiftly enhances public transport reliability by detecting and eliminating ghost and zombie buses, restoring passenger confidence and data accuracy in real time.

more

Bus-News Bus-News — 2025-10-31

More News