Transit Intelligence for the
Text Message Era.
Instant real-time bus arrivals, kinematic countdowns, and UNM campus shuttles delivered over standard SMS. Zero apps to download. Zero cellular data needed.
How Millions of Rides Start with a Single Text
Click any scenario below to see how our natural language engine parses street corners, landmarks, and departure reminders instantaneously.
Built for Radical Speed & Digital Equity
MetroSMS replaces bulky 150MB mobile apps with an ultra-lean telephony engine designed to deliver transit equity to every rider in Albuquerque.
Sub-Second GPS Fleet Telemetry
Ingests live GTFS-RT vehicle positions, trip updates, and service alerts from the City of Albuquerque and UNM transit APIs. Computes real-time headway interpolations and scheduled fallbacks in under 400 milliseconds.
Zero Apps. Zero Cellular Data.
Over 25% of municipal transit riders have limited monthly data or older mobile phones. MetroSMS operates entirely over standard SMS—delivering equal access without app store accounts.
Hyper-Local Stop Sponsorships
Local cafes and shops sponsor bus stops right outside their front doors. Real-time arrival texts include a tasteful, non-intrusive 1-line perk with full CTR telemetry.
Autonomous Departure Alarms
Never miss a connection or freeze at a dark bus stop. Riders simply text "remind me in 10 mins" and our background scheduler sends a proactive departure text when it's time to walk.
ABQ RIDE + UNM Shuttles
Seamlessly partitions municipal transit from university campus shuttles. Different carrier gateways, tailored routing logic, and unique tone for each agency.
Why SMS Wins for Daily Transit
Comparing MetroSMS against legacy native apps, slow web maps, and traditional telephone automated hotlines.
| Capability | MetroSMS™ | Transit / Maps Apps | City 311 Hotline |
|---|---|---|---|
| App Download Required? | NO (0 MB) | YES (150MB+) | NO |
| Requires Cellular Data Plan? | NO (Plain SMS) | YES (Continuous data) | NO |
| Time to Get Arrival Prediction | 1 - 2 Seconds | 15 - 30 Seconds | 2 - 5 Minutes |
| Works on Basic / Flip Phones? | YES (Universal) | NO | YES |
| Battery & CPU Consumption | Near 0% | High (GPS & Render) | Low |
| Proactive Departure Alarms | Automated SMS | App Push Only | None |
Three Steps to Transit Freedom
No logins, no passwords, no email verification. Just save the number and ride.
Save the Number
Add (505) 448-8007 to your contacts as "ABQ Bus" or scan the QR code located at bus stops across the city.
Text Your Location
Send any cross street (e.g. Central & Yale), 4-digit stop ID (e.g. 1081), or popular landmark.
Get Arrival Times
Receive live countdown minutes, ART Rapid alerts, and optional departure alarms before your bus pulls into the station.
Dual-Agency Transit Coverage
Two dedicated telephone gateways serving municipal and university riders across Albuquerque.
City of Albuquerque (ABQ RIDE)
All Local Routes, Commuter Express & ART Rapid Transit
University of New Mexico (UNM PATS)
Lobo Shuttles, South Lot, G/Q Lot & Health Sciences
Put Your Brand in Front of Thousands of Daily Commuters
Sponsor the bus stops directly outside your business. Clean, 160-character native SMS promotions shown exclusively to riders waiting at your local stop. Start instantly with $25 in free trial impressions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about using MetroSMS as a rider, agency, or business sponsor.
Does MetroSMS charge any fees to riders?
No! MetroSMS is 100% free for transit riders. Standard text messaging rates from your wireless carrier apply just like texting a friend. There are no subscriptions, in-app purchases, or premium SMS charges.
How do I search for a bus arrival time?
Text any street corner (e.g. Central & Yale, Lomas & San Mateo), any 4-digit ABQ RIDE stop ID (e.g. 1081), or a popular landmark (e.g. Old Town, UNM Hospital).
How do proactive departure alarms work?
After receiving an arrival countdown, reply with "remind me in 8 mins" or "alarm 5m". Our background scheduler will automatically send you an SMS wake-up alert before your bus departs.
Is my phone number shared or sold to marketers?
Never. In accordance with strict 10DLC carrier compliance and our Privacy Policy, mobile phone numbers collected for SMS transit communications will NEVER be sold, rented, leased, or shared with third parties for marketing under any circumstances.
Can I opt-out or stop receiving text messages?
Yes, at any time. Simply text STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, or QUIT to our number to immediately revoke all messaging. Text START or UNSTOP to reactivate.