Tips for using Terrier Transit

1. Enable “location permissions.”

Terrier Transit will not be able to provide you with information about your nearby transit options unless you allow “location permissions” when the app is in use. When beginning to use the app, you will be prompted to provide these permissions. If you do not enable location permissions, you will need to zoom in to your location on a map whenever using the app.

2. Know the Three Views.

Terrier Transit has three major “views” that you can toggle between by tapping icons at the bottom of the screen. The app automatically defaults to the “Stations View.”

STATIONS VIEW (default)

Function: shows nearby “stations” including BUS stops, MBTA bus stops, T stops, and Bluebikes stations.
How to use it: Tap on the stop where you’d like to catch a shuttle, bus, or train. You’ll be shown the next arrival times for all lines serving that stop (note: many stops are shared by the BUS and MBTA buses).
Tips: Be sure to turn on “location sharing” on your device. Use the search bar to find a stop near a specific place.

DIRECTIONS VIEW

Function: helps you decide between walking, biking, and taking transit and then provides you with step-by-step directions.
How to use it: type your destination into the search bar, consider your options (Terrier Transit will provide time and cost estimates for walking, biking, and transit), select an option for itinerary details, press “Go” for “live directions.”
Tip: not sure when to get off the bus? When using the “live directions” feature, Terrier Transit will remind you!

LINES VIEW

Function: provides detailed information about each transit line — its route, its stops, and its schedule.
How to use it: tap on the line that interests you, tap a stop to see upcoming arrival times.
Tip: MBTA lines are directional. For instance, if you are looking for eastbound Green Line arrival times, be sure the terminus is “Government Center” not “Boston College.” Change directions by tapping the terminus at the top of the screen.

3. Don’t limit yourself to one shuttle line.

If you are just trying to travel along Commonwealth Avenue, you have lots of options because all BUS lines have stops on Comm Ave. Use the “Stations View” to see what shuttle will come next, NOT the “Lines View” which will limit arrival times to one line.

4. Times listed in green are more likely to be accurate.

When Terrier Transit lists a bus or train arrival time in black, that’s its scheduled arrival time. When the time is listed in green, that’s a prediction based on the vehicle’s real-time GPS location on the route. So if traffic is heavy, arrival times in green may be more trustworthy than those shown in black.

5. Use favorites.

If you use a stop or line frequently, you can “favorite” it. This will bring that stop or line to the top of your list of options in all three views.

To “favorite” a STOP: go to the “stations” view, tap the stop you wish to favorite, tap the “Favorite” star on the lower left of the screen.

To “favorite” a LINE: go to the “lines” view, tap the line you wish to favorite, tap the “Favorite” star on the lower left of the screen.

6. Terrier Transit is not just for the BU Shuttle!

You can use Terrier Transit to plan your trips all over the Boston area on MBTA buses, trains, and ferries.