Like most industries today, public transit is changing quickly. New technologies are emerging, mobility options are expanding, and people are moving more freely than ever. With everything from rail and buses to scooters and autonomous vehicles, it can be tough to keep pace with the latest developments in transportation.
For those of us who work in the field, keeping up with this evolving language is part of the job—and part of what we love about helping our communities stay connected and moving.
To make things a little easier, we’ve created a modern glossary of transit terms. Inside, you’ll find plain-language definitions for transportation policies and planning concepts, new and emerging technologies, and the acronyms and measurements used in transit management every day. Use the letters below to jump to the section you need—and if you don’t see a term, tell us. We’ll keep updating this list as mobility continues to evolve (and we might even add a new word or two along the way).
A
Accessibility
The ability and level of ease with which all riders—including those with disabilities, special requirements, or other needs—can access transportation.
Accessible Service
Service that is equipped with wheelchair lifts.
ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act, a U.S. Federal Civil Rights law that requires certain services be provided or actions to be performed to aid the disabled
ADA Paratransit
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that comparable transportation service be offered to individuals with disabilities who are unable to use fixed-route transportation systems. Paratransit service must be available to individuals who start and end their transportation within three-quarters of a mile of a normal fixed route.
AFC
Automatic Fare Collection
Agency
Operator of a transit system, generally a public or university actor.
Agency-owned On-demand Microtransit
On-demand microtransit services that are delivered by or through the local transit agency on behalf of their city. The agency has access to all transit service data, and the agency/city are prescriptive on where and how services are delivered.
Agile [Software Development]
Philosophy of software development in which requirements and solutions evolve through the collaborative effort of self-organizing and cross-functional teams and their customers / end users.
Allowed Time
The amount of time that is needed to make up the run to 8 hours (or whatever minimum is set for a given run). For example, run 1 has 7 hours and 35 minutes platform, it would require 25 minutes of allowed time to create an 8-hour run; can be called Make-up Time. This type of pay depends on the agreements the workers have with management and the applicable labor laws.
American Public Transportation Association (APTA)
A nonprofit international association of more than 1,500 public and private sector member organizations. Programs include advocacy for federal funding and policies, research, technical expertise and consulting services, workforce development programs, educational conferences and seminars, and subject-matter working committees.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Federal legislation passed in 1990 that defines the responsibilities of and requirements for providers to make transportation accessible to individuals with disabilities.
APC
Automatic Passenger Counter, a system whereby the passengers are counted automatically as they board and alight.
Architect
TransLoc product enabling transit providers to better manage their fixed-route system and service data (GTFS).
Arterial Route
Those routes that travel in primarily one set of directions, such as North/South. They usually provide all day service in both directions.
Asana
Software product used to plan and track work across teams.
Automatic Passenger Counter (APC)
On-vehicle hardware used on transit vehicles to accurately record boardings and alightings. Can be used to improve the accuracy and reliability of tracking transit ridership.
Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL)
On-vehicle hardware used for determining, tracking, and transmitting the geographic location of a vehicle.
Automatic Voice Annunciation (AVA)
Equipment installed on a public transit vehicle to play audible information about upcoming stops. Used by agencies to comply with ADA requirements and provide an enhanced experience to their riders.
B
Bid
The process whereby the operators choose their runs for the next sign-up. This is almost always done by seniority.
Block (bus)
The schedule operated by a single bus from pull-out to pull-in.
Block (rail)
A length of track of defined limits, the use of which is governed by block signals or manual block system rules.
Block Number
The schedule number as operated by a certain bus. SCVTA buses usually have the block number in the left window of the front of the bus.
Blocking
The process of putting trips together to form a block.
Bug
An error, flaw, failure or fault in a piece of software causing it to produce an incorrect or unexpected result or to behave in unintended ways.
Bus Stop
An authorized location for a bus to stop on a route. Marked with a sign and may include a shelter, bench, or trash can. See Flag Stop.
Bus Stop Inventory
A list of all the bus stops that tells approximately what is at each stop.
C
Calendar
Within GTFS, defines a range of dates between which a trip is available (including the days of the week when it is available).
Canceled Service/Blocks/Runs
A bus or train that either never goes out of the yard or is pulled back into the yard due to a lack of equipment or operators.
Capital Funds / Capital Expense
One-time, up-front costs associated with running transportation services. Examples include: purchasing vehicles and hardware, installation and setup fees.
Car (rail)
A single, articulated light rail vehicle or historic streetcar.
Car Bump, Bumping (LR)
The process of adding to the consist of an LR train.
Car Cut (LR)
The process of reducing the consist of an LR train.
Charter
A trip that is hired by a given group to carry that group to and from a specific location.
Choice Riders
People who have options for their transportation needs due to physical and/or socioeconomic stature. An example is a commuter who has a personal car they could use to get to work instead of public transportation.
Circulator
A fixed-route transportation option that typically operates within a closed loop (usually 3 miles or shorter in length). Effective in high-density areas with common shared travel patterns (such as a college campus).
Coach Exchange
Where a bus is exchanged for another bus due to mechanical failure or other reason.
Coach Operators Guide
A book that contains most the information a driver needs on a daily basis. Includes fare information, route descriptions, and general information.
Computer
Aided Dispatch (CAD) – Software helping agencies deploy their drivers and vehicles according to the complex agency rules and plans. Typical CAD systems include services for dispatching, customer support, and administration.
Conductor (rail)
The person walking up and down the aisles of a train that checks passengers for their tickets or in some cases sells tickets. On systems using conductors, there is usually at least one conductor on each train.
Consist (LR)
Describes the number of, and which, cars in a certain Light Rail train. This term is also used for heavy rail as well.
Crossover (Rail)
Two track switches connected so as to form a continuous passage between to parallel tracks.
Current of Traffic (Rail)
The movement of trains on the main track, in a designated direction.
Customer Experience (CX)
TransLoc Team focused on making the customer successful.
D
Deadhead
A vehicle going from one location to another while not in revenue service. Frequently this is pulling out or into the yard but may include going from one route to another.
Deadhead Route
The route the operator is supposed to use to deadhead from one location to another.
Defect Card
A card an operator fills out each day on the mechanical, physical, and overall condition of the coach.
Demand
Response – Transit mode comprised of passenger cars, vans, or small buses operating in response to calls from passengers or their agents to the transit operator, who then dispatches a vehicle to pick up the passengers and transport them to their destinations. This mode does not operate over a fixed route or on a fixed schedule.
Detailing
The process of assigning the extra-board to their runs for the next day.
Directional Road Mileage
The total road mileage operated on. Each mile is counted only once, no matter how many routes travel on it.
Directional Route Mileage
The total mileage of all the routes.
Dispatch
The people responsible for assigning the coaches to a particular block and making the assignments for the next day’s extra board.
Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU)
Passenger train with motorized carriages, not hauled by separate locomotive.
Driver Relief
When one driver relieves another on a given vehicle.
Drivers Room
A room at the yard where the drivers wait. Also includes access to the Dispatchers.
Drop Back
See Fall-Back.
Drop off Only
A term used when a bus is full and another bus on the same route is running in tandem, the first bus may be instructed to “Drop Off Only” where the second bus will be used to pick up passengers, and the first one will continue in service until it’s back on schedule, or empty.
E
Electric Multiple Unit. Electric (EMU)
Electric equivalent to DMU.
Express Routes
Routes that usually provide commute type service, with a limited number of pick-up stops, then some distance on freeways or expressways before dropping off passengers. They charge a premium fare.
Extra Board
Those drivers who do not have a regular run, who are used to fill in for operators on vacation or who are sick. Often called “the Board.”
Extra Service Trip
A trip not normally found on the timetable.
Extra Train (rail)
A train not authorized by a timetable schedule.
F
Fall Back
The term used when you use more operators than vehicles. Most commonly used with rail system. With Fall-Back Operations the operators change trains at the end of the line. For example, Train A comes into a station; the operator gets off the train and the operator from the train that arrived before takes over on train A. Also called Drop-Back operations. In order to create driver runs in a fall-back operation you must either create many piece runs or have a separate blocking for the driver.
Fare
The money you put in the Farebox to pay for your ride.
Fare Category
The grouping of passengers by how much they are supposed to pay.
Fare Evasion
The act of intentionally trying to ride without paying the correct fare.
Fare Structure
The actual description of the fares that the passengers are supposed to pay. This also includes the price of passes or tickets.
Farebox
Where you put your money on the bus.
Farebox Recovery
The percentage of the operating costs that are recovered from Farebox and pass sales. This is what the users are actually paying towards the cost of the service on a daily basis.
Farebox Revenue
Can be used as the term for the amount of money from the Farebox only, or might include pass/ticket sales as well.
Feeder Routes
Shorter arterial routes designed to get passengers to a longer route, frequently a long haul arterial or some form of rail.
Fixed Guide Way
This can be many things, a bus way, and LR line or an H.O.V. lane.
Flag Stop
A stop made at a location other than a designated bus or rail stop. Some systems allow them, while others do not. Goes back to when a flag was raised to have a train or bus stop at a smaller stop with no proper station facility.
Fouling Point (rail)
The closest point to which a car may approach a switch from the trailing direction without being in danger of collision with a train passing through the switch on another track. In ABS territory, the closest point to which a car may approach insulated rail joint or vehicle detector governing occupation of the block in which the switch is situated.
Fuel Island
The part of the yard where the buses are fueled.
G
General Sign
up: This is when the drivers are allowed to change from one yard to another. It is also when they bid their vacations.
Grade Crossing (rail)
A crossing over the track at track level by a road or footpath.
Group Relief
A bid assignment where the operator does different runs every day of they work during the week. Ex. the operator might have run #1 on Monday, Run #2 on Tuesday, etc… On every Monday they would do run #1, Every Tuesday run #2, etc…
H
Head Sign
The destination sign above the front window of the bus.
Headway
The time separation between buses or trains traveling in the same direction on the same route. A route with buses running every 10 minutes is said to have a 10-minute headway.
H.O.V. Lane
High Occupancy Vehicle Lane, a carpool/bus lane, traffic lane restricted to the use of carpools and buses, some also allow motorcycles.
I
In House Schedules
The schedules that are used in house. They include information not available on the public timetables. Such as which block is operating a trip, and schedule notes.
Interline
When a given bus does trips on more than one route. This is frequently done when the running time on one route does not allow enough layover while maintaining consistent headways.
Interlocking (rail)
An arrangement of signals and signal appliances so interconnected that their function must succeed each other in proper sequence and for which interlocking rules are in effect. It may be operated manually or automatically.
I.S.R.
Information Services Representative, these are the people who answer the phones when you call the information number…
L
Layover Point
Also known as terminal. Location where an operator can make up time, often between trips on the same or different routes.
Layover Time
The time between when a vehicle is scheduled to arrive at the layover point, to when it is scheduled to leave again. Also called Recovery Time or Spot Time.
Limited Stop Routes
Routes that stop less frequently than normal arterial routes.
Lining a Switch (rail)
Moving the switch points to the position which will divert a train onto the desired track.
Light Rail Transit. (LRT)
Usually an electric rail system running on or next to city streets. Almost always operate with individually powered cars, with controls in each car. Sometimes called Trolley or Streetcar lines.
Light Rail Vehicle (LRV)
, an electric vehicle used to operate an LRT system. In some areas called Streetcars or Trolleys. Usually used for vehicles built since about 1970.
M
Milepost (LR)
A sign along the track right-of-way indicating the distance from the intersection of North First Street and Younger Avenue.
Miss Out
Failing to show up for an assignment on time or at all. Also called an oversleep in some cases.
N
Non-revenue Passengers
Passengers who are allowed to ride free, young kids, Police Officers in Uniform, etc.
Non-revenue Vehicles
The vehicles that do not carry revenue passengers. This includes the cars used by office staff, maintenance trucks, road supervisor vans, etc.
NTD Reference
Here is a link to the FTA’s NTD site and the glossary used by the NTD.
https//www.transit.dot.gov/ntd/national-transit-database-ntd-glossary
O
O.D.
Off Duty.
Off Route
When an operator takes the bus off of the designated routing.
O.T.
Overtime
Out late
A bus pulling out of the yard late. This can be for any one of several reasons, but are mainly due to lack of equipment, or lack of drivers.
Oversleep
Showing up late for work. Depending on what is going on the person with an oversleep will be sent home without pay for the day, and an entry goes in their record.
Owl Service
Generally, this applies to all night service operated between midnight and 5 a.m., or there about. In some cases special routes or routings are used for this service.
P
Paddle
An official schedule for each block or run that is issued to an operator each day. Usually consists of a schedule on laminated paper. With some of the newer radio systems these are being replaced by LCD displays controlled by the radio.
Paratransit Service
Provided to transport people who cannot take normal transit service.
Park & Ride Lot
A parking lot provided for passengers to park their cars at when riding bus or rail lines to their final destination.
Passenger Facilities
Those facilities built for the use of the passengers including bus stops, train stations, etc.
Platform Hours
The actual time behind the wheel of a bus or train.
Point Operator
An operator who does not have a regular operator who is on the Extra Board and waits at dispatch for an assignment. A Point Operator who is sitting at the yard is said to be sitting point.
P.O.S.
Pulled Out of Service, when an operator is pulled out of service, there can be many reasons for this.
Private Right of Way (rail)
The portion of the track way which is separated from a street or roadway.
Public Timetables
Bus Schedules that are published for use by the public. Most districts publish what is known as In-House schedules which usually contain block, pull in, and pull out information.
Pull Out Route, Pull In Route
This is the routing the operators are supposed to use to get to and from the yard.
Pull out Time, Pull In Time
Pull Out is the time a bus leaves the yard to begin a schedule. Pull In is the time the bus returns to the yard at the end of schedule.
R
Radio Dispatch
The people who operate the radio system in the office.
R.D.C.
Rail Diesel Car
Recovery Time
The time between when a bus arrives at the end of the line to when it begins the next trip. Also called Layover Time or Spot time.
Regular Route
Non-Express/Limited route, the base fare applies to this type of route.
Regular Train (LR)
A train authorized by timetable schedule.
Relay
A replacement coach and operator that are used to “run” a schedule that has a bus that is out of service due to a “road call”.
Relief Point
A location where a driver is relieved by another operator to continue the trip.
Relief Time
The time at which a driver relief takes place.
Report Time
The time when the driver must report to the yard for their assignment. Not all drivers may have a report time, for instance those who relieve in the field may not. Bus drivers get 15 minutes, LR operators get 20 minutes.
Reroute
A change in the routing of a bus line due to street closure. Buses frequently have reroutes due to construction, parades, or weather. Rail transit usually cannot have reroutes.
Revenue Hours
The hours when the vehicle is in service and can pick up passengers, does not include deadhead time or report time.
Revenue Miles
The miles the buses put in while in service. Does not include deadhead miles.
Revenue Passengers
Passengers who pay for their rides with money or some form of purchased pass.
Revenue Vehicles
These are the buses and LR cars used in normal service for carrying revenue passengers.
Road Call
An incident where a bus needs mechanical service on the road.
Road Supervisor
The on the road supervisors for Transit Operations. Also called Transit Operations Supervisors. These people provide road supervision for the system.
Route Description
The instructions given to the drivers as to where the route operates. The are contained in the Coach Operators Guide.
Route Schematics
A map of the route showing where it operates and where the cross routes connect. This is the route map found on the public timetables. These are also contained in the Coach Operators Guide.
R.O.W.
Right of Way. The land where the tracks or roadway exist. Sometimes the land is not developed, but still maintained for future use.
Run
The piece of work done by a single driver. There are several types of runs. Some systems may have similar types of runs. Regular 1 piece run – One block for 7-10 hours. The driver stays with one bus or train for the entire run.
- 2 Piece Straight: A run that does two pieces of work with less than 1 hour off between the two pieces, these are paid straight through. (Very few of these exist at VTA.)
- 2 Piece Split: regular split
- 2 pieces of work on different blocks, or the same block at different times. From 8-12.25 hours total spread.
- Frog Split Run: 2 pieces of work with 12.25-12.5 hour total spread.
- A Frog: A single piece of work less than 5-6 hours long, these are usually assigned to the Extra Board.
- A Part Time Run: A piece of work from 3-5.5 hours long, operated as the complete run for a part time operator.
Run Cutting
The process of creating the runs for the operators.
Run out Track (rail)
See Tail Track.
Running Time
The time given to a bus to get from one time point to the next.
S
Schedule/Paddle Note
A note that tells the operator to perform some action such as how to deadhead from one place to another, or to wait from passengers from a connecting bus.
Service Hours
The approx. starting and ending hours of service on a given route.
Service Type
The type of service being operated, such as Weekday, Saturday, Sunday or Holiday. Can also be used to describe the type of route, Express, Local, etc…
Short Rest
Bringing a driver back on duty after a shorter rest than normally allowed.
Short Turn
A trip on a route that is scheduled to turn around at a point other than the far end of the line. Also called a turn back.
Shuttle Route
A route designed to take passengers from a main line route like LR or Cal train to their final destination. Also can be any short route designed to carry local passengers.
Sign Up
The quarterly process of changing route schedules and operator bidding for new runs. The timing of Sign-Ups varies from agency to agency.
Signal Controlled Crossing
A rail crossing that is controlled by a traffic signal.
S.O.V. Lane
Single Occupant Vehicle Lane, traffic lane open to all vehicles on the road. Also called mixed flow lanes.
Special Instructions (rail)
Long term instructions affecting train operations issued by O.C.C.
Speeds (rail)
There are several different Speeds used by Light Rail over different parts of the tracks.
Maximum Speed
- 55 MPH.
Operate on Sight Speed
- A speed which will permit stopping safely within ó the range of vision of another train, stop signal, switch not properly lined, track defect or obstruction.
Limited Speed
- A speed which will permit stopping safely within ó the range of vision of another train, stop signal, switch not properly lined, track defect or obstruction, not exceeding 25 MPH.
Restricted Speed
- A speed which will permit stopping safely within ó the range of vision of another train, stop signal, switch not properly lined, track defect or obstruction, not exceeding 15 MPH.
Yard Speed
- A speed which will permit stopping safely within 1/2 the range of vision of another train, stop signal, switch not properly lined, track defect or obstruction, not exceeding 10 MPH.
Note
- Other speeds may be specified by O.C.C. as appropriate to cover conditions not addressed in the basic speed rules, such a slow orders.
Spot Time
The time between when a bus arrives at the end of the line to when it begins the next trip. Also called Layover Time or Spot time.
Spread
The total hours from start of work day to end of work day.
Spread Time Extra
Pay provided for runs that exceed a given spread.
Standby Coach
An operator and Bus assigned to wait at some location in order to be able to run a relay in case of break down. Also available for coach exchanges.
S.T.O.
Scheduled Time Off, this is usually vacation time.
System Map
Map of all the routes operated by the transit agency, some include connecting service provided by other agencies.
T
Tail Track (rail)
The trackage that lies beyond the station platforms or is not used. Also called Run out Track.
Terminal
The location where the route ends. This term sometimes refers to the bus or rail yards.
Time Point
Those locations where buses or trains observe a scheduled time.
Timed Transfer
A location where buses wait a designated time for transfers from other buses or trains. The waiting could be layover as well as in service time.
Total Hours
The total time the buses or trains operate, includes deadhead time.
Total Miles
The total miles the buses or trains operate, includes deadhead miles.
Train (LR)
One or more cars operated from a single cab.
Train Number (LR)
This is the schedule number as operated by a certain train consist. On LR this is equivalent the Block Number used for buses.
Train Order (LR)
Short term instructions issued by O.C.C. which govern train and vehicle movements.
Train Operator (LR)
The term train operator shall apply to any person operating rail equipment upon the tracks.
Transfer
A pass usable for a one-way ride to board another bus or train.
Travel Time Pay
Given for an operator who has to travel from one relief location to another on a 2 or more-piece run. Some systems might also have travel time for operators to return to the yard or out to the relief location from the yard.
Trip
A single one-way trip on a single route.
Tripper
An extra service bus that is sent out to pick up the overloads from schools. Usually only operates part of a route. These buses are available for anyone to ride. Sometimes called School Trippers.
U
Unlinked Passenger Trip
One passenger boarding one bus or train. Each time a passenger boards it is an unlinked trip. This is what is counted in reporting Ridership.
V
Voice Annunciator
Announces the destination of the route when the door of the bus is opened.
W
Window Sign
Small sign placed in the window of the bus in cases when head sign is not working, or to supplement the information provided by the head sign.
Work Copy
The working copy of the schedule that comes from the scheduler.
Y
Yard
Where the buses are stored when not in service. Also, where most maintenance is done. Can also be called the garage.
Yard (LR)
A system of tracks within defined limits provided for the making of trains, storing cars, and for other purposes, in which movements do not require timetable authority, subject to prescribed signals, rules and instructions.
Yard Limit (LR)
The territory defined by a yard limit sign separating the main track from the yard.
Yard Sign
up: When the drivers at a yard bid for their assignments for the next period of time.