Frequently asked questions
The YourNextBus service from Travel South Yorkshire. It enables you to access travel information on the move and keep you up-to-date with live public transport arrival and departure times. Before using the YourNextBus service, why not check out some of our frequently asked questions about the service?
About the service On your mobile Other services How to use
About the service
Q. What is the YourNextBus service?
A. YourNextBus is a service from Travel South Yorkshire that sends a message directly to your mobile, giving you up-to-the-minute information on how far away your bus actually is. If the time in minutes is not available, you'll receive the latest timetable information instead.
Using satellite technology to track the location of the bus during its journey YourNextBus knows exactly where the bus is on the route during the hours of operation.
Q. How do I access the YourNextBus service?
A. You can access YourNextBus information via text message, an internet enabled phone by visiting our internet based website (tsy.acislive.com) or via links from travelsouthyorkshire.com.
Q. What is the coverage within South Yorkshire?
A. All services run by First Group and Stagecoach are part of the YourNextBus system. Other operators are not taking part in the YourNextBus project and therefore Real Time Information SMS messages will not display these services.
Q. How much does the YourNextBus text service cost?
A. Each text costs a maximum of 12p per text plus your standard network rate. When the system is unable to provide Real Time or scheduled information, reply text messages to your phone are free. Please note that you will be charged if you send an invalid or incorrect message. Call charges are correct at date of publication.
Q. How do I find out my bus stop number?
A. The bus stop number can be found on the bus stop flag, on the side of a bus shelter and on the bottom of the timetable information. Please refer to our locating your bus stop number for further information. The stop number will always start with 370, eg 37035043.
On your mobile
Q. How much does the YourNextBus text service cost?
A. Each text costs a maximum of 12p per text plus your standard network rate. When the system is unable to provide Real Time or scheduled information reply text messages to your phone are free. Please note that you will be charged if you send an invalid or incorrect message. Call charges are correct as at date of publication.
Q. What happens if I don't get a text back?
A. This will only happen in rare cases such as:
- we are experiencing technical issues
- your mobile network provider is experiencing difficulties
- you are out of coverage
- your Sim card is full
- you have no credit on your phone.
Q. What happens if my text was delayed?
A. The speed of a returned text message cannot be guaranteed by Travel South Yorkshire, as this will be dependent on your service provider. At the bottom of the text message a time and date will appear showing when the information was generated. For Real Time Information (RTI) use WAP or the Internet and information will be refreshed every 30 to 60 seconds.
Q. How many bus times will be included on my text?
A. The YourNextBus service aims to bring you, where available, the next four bus times for your stop.
Q. My bus stop is a shared stop, serving many different bus services. Will I receive bus times that aren't applicable to me?
A. At bus stops used by more than one bus service, you can ask YourNextBus for information on a particular bus.
- Input your 8-digit bus stop number
eg 37021180.
- Add a space and then enter the bus service number eg 37021180 14 (your service number should include letters if applicable).
Q. Can I get times for buses later the same day?
A. Although getting accurate information for services running later in the day is difficult, you can still receive timetable based information.
- Input your 8-digit bus stop number e.g. 37021180.
Add a space and then enter your chosen time making sure you use the 24 hour clock
e.g. 37021180 1330.
Other services
Q. How much does the YourNextBus WAP service cost me?
A. WAP is generally cheaper than text. Please ask your mobile service provider for information on charges.
Q. What is the difference between the information on the Internet/WAP and my returned mobile text message?
A. The internet and WAP provide live information that will refresh every 30 to 60 seconds. Prediction times sent via text are live when the text was generated and the information displayed will not change thereafter. Accessing the system via the internet or WAP is a more cost-effective way to access the information.
Q. Is my phone WAP enabled?
A. Please ask your mobile service provider for information on your handset.
How to use
Q. Is the YourNextBus service available nationwide?
A. The Travel South Yorkshire service is only available for the South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire regions only.
Q. Where should customers send their feedback about YourNextBus ?
A. We welcome your feedback, comments and general thoughts.We would love to hear from you so please do get in touch through the contact us section.
Q. Will YourNextBus provide information on cancelled buses?
A. The YourNextBus service will not tell you if a bus service is cancelled, it will only display the scheduled time of the cancelled bus.
Q. Do Travel South Yorkshire generate any profit from the YourNextBus service?
A. No profit is made from the text charges for customers using this service.
Q. What does LF mean on my returned text?
A. ‘LF’ is sometimes displayed on the reply text message or Internet/WAP screen against a service number, and stands for 'low-floor'. Low-floor access on buses does not necessarily mean that this service is wheelchair accessible, but it does mean that people with difficulties stepping up onto the bus or people with pushchairs may prefer to use this service.
Last updated: February 2011.
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