General
- How do I get real-time departure times for my train or bus?
- You can request and receive departure time predictions -
- On the phone: call 5-1-1.
- On the web: use the Departure Times tool on the 511.org homepage or to save your trips, register with my511.org.
- Via SMS/texting: send ‘511 dep {Stop ID #}’ to 368674.
On the Phone
Call 511 and say “Departure Times” at the main menu. You will then be asked to enter your Stop ID. If you don’t know your Stop ID when calling, you will be prompted to use 511’s backup help system to hear your departure times and learn your Stop ID number. You can lookup Stop IDs online by using the Stop ID Lookup tool.
On the Web
Go to 511.org and use the Departure Times tool in the lower left-hand side of the page. You can also save your transit trips and create a personalized 511 home page by going to my511.org. Lastly, you can find your Stop ID by using the Stop ID Lookup tool on the 511 Transit page.
Through SMS (Texting)
To request departure time predictions through SMS, just text ‘511 dep (Stop id#)’ to 368674. Within seconds, you will receive a message with predictions for the Stop ID you entered. You currently can only request departure predictions with your Stop ID. However, we are working to allow text requests using your stop name (cross-streets or station name). Stay tuned. For more information, go to the Texting Page.
- What is a Stop ID number?
- A Stop ID is a unique number associated with a specific transit stop that 511 uses to identify the stop for which you want to receive departure time predictions. This ID automatically includes your direction of travel (i.e., the side of the platform or street the stop is on). For example, Stop ID #16996 identifies the outbound platform at Van Ness Station. When you enter this ID number, 511 Departure Times will play predictions for every outbound transit line that stops at Van Ness Station. Stop ID #15419 will play predictions for inbound service at Van Ness Station. Also, Stop IDs are transit agency-specific, so stops served by multiple agencies will have at least one unique Stop ID per agency.
- How do I learn my Stop ID?
- You can get your Stop ID either over the phone or on the web. To get your Stop ID over the phone, call 511 and say “Departure Times.” When 511 prompts you to enter your Stop ID, say, “I don’t know” to use the backup help system to identify your stop. After hearing the predicted departure times for your stop, 511 will play your stop’s ID number. You can also use the Stop ID Lookup tool on the 511 Transit page to find your Stop ID number.
- Why are there two Stop IDs for one rail station?
- Each rail station has one Stop ID for each direction trains travel out of that station. For example, one station might have Stop ID #11 for the inbound platform and Stop ID #12 for the outbound platform. The concept is similar to the stops on opposite sides of the street having different IDs. This dual ID feature for rail stations allows you to skip a step by not having to request a specific direction.
- When will there be departure times for additional agencies?
- Departure times are currently available for all Muni, WestCAT, and BART routes. As departure times become available for other Bay Area transit agencies, we will work to include them in 511. The agencies that will be integrated with 511 in the future are SamTrans, AC Transit, Caltrain, VTA, and Golden Gate Transit.
- Why are Stop IDs not posted at my stop or station?
- We are working with transit agencies to design Stop ID decals for placement at transit stops throughout the Bay Area. We are currently conducting a pilot project with Muni in which we are testing these decals. Upon successful results, we hope to post Stop IDs at all Muni stops and stations. In the meantime, you will need to learn your Stop ID, use the backup help system on the phone, or customize transit trips at my511.org. While having to learn a Stop ID number may initially seem challenging, the 511 system currently offers two options for learning and remembering Stop ID numbers. These options are: 1) look up all Stop ID numbers on the 511.org website using the Stop ID Lookup tool on the Transit page , or 2) say “I don’t know” when asked for your Stop ID on the 511 phone system. In the future, Stop ID numbers will also be integrated into the 511 Transit Trip Planner. 511 and participating transit agencies will be assessing the costs and benefits of placing Stop ID numbers at stops and stations.
Departure Times on the phone
- How do I use the 511 phone system to get real-time departure predictions?
- Call 511 and say “Departure Times” at the main menu. You will then be asked to enter your Stop ID. If you don’t know your Stop ID when calling, you will be prompted to use 511’s backup help system to hear your departure times and learn your Stop ID number. You can lookup Stop IDs online by using the Stop ID Lookup tool.
- When I call 511, why can’t I just say my cross streets to find out my departure time information?
- On the 511 phone service, you can use cross streets to get departure time predictions by using the backup help menu. To access the backup help system, say “I don’t know” after being asked for your Stop ID number. You will then be prompted to say your agency name, route number and direction, and cross streets to obtain your departure times. If you don’t know your direction, just say the route name and the system will prompt you to select your direction from a list of options. By using Stop IDs instead, however, you will be able to access your Departure Times information in an instant, without having to say your agency name, route number, and location.
Departure Times on the web
- How do I get real-time departure time predictions on 511.org?
- Go to 511.org and use the Departure Times tool in the lower left-hand side of the page. You can also save your transit trips and create a personalized 511 home page by going to my511.org. Lastly, you can find your Stop ID by using the Stop ID Lookup tool on the 511 Transit page.
Departure Times through MY 511
- Can I save my most frequent trips and receive alerts when my next bus or train is coming?
- Departure Times is available on MY 511, which is a free, personalized service for the web and phone. It allows you to customize your own transit trip at my511.org to bypass phone menu options and obtain the trip information you need in an instant. With the MY 511 service, you can receive email and/or text message alerts. Go to my511.org for more information and to register.
Departure Times through SMS (Texting)
- Can I send SMS (text message) for my Stop ID to receive departure times?
- To request departure time predictions through SMS, just text ‘511 dep [Stop ID#]’ to 368674. Within seconds, you will receive a message with predictions for the Stop ID you entered. You currently can only request departure predictions with your Stop ID. However, we are working to allow text requests using your stop name (cross-streets or station name). Stay tuned. For more information, go to the Texting Page.
- I texted my Stop ID to request departure times and received two text messages in response. Why is this?
- After texting a request, 511 immediately responds with departure times for up to three buses or trains for each route that serves your stop. Since requests for stops served by multiple routes may generate a long list of predictions, some replies may exceed 160 character limit for each text message. For these requests, you will receive consecutive text messages that include predictions for all of your stops routes.
- Will I be charged for the text messages I send and receive?
- 511 does not charge for its text messaging service. However, your phone carrier may charge you based on your service plan. Please contact your service provider for more details.
- When I request predictions for a valid Stop ID, I receive an unexpected error message. How do I resolve this?
- If you are getting an unexpected error message that says 'Error adding record to the database', please reply with a message that says '511 resetuser.' You
should receive a confirmation message that says 'Reset Successful.' After that you can try texting your Stop ID again for predictions.