How arrival times work
Learn how Arelo sources and displays real-time arrival predictions.
Data sources
Bay Area agencies (Muni, BART, Caltrain, AC Transit, SF Bay Ferry) are sourced via the 511.org SIRI real-time API. New York City agencies (MTA Bus, NYC Subway, Metro-North, LIRR) are sourced via the MTA GTFS-RT feeds. Feeds are polled frequently and arrival predictions update automatically. Pull to refresh at any time.
Reading arrival times
Arrivals are shown as minutes until arrival. Badge colors indicate urgency:
- Green badge (≤5 min): The vehicle is close. Head to the stop now.
- “NOW”: The vehicle is arriving imminently. Move immediately.
- Gray time: Scheduled time only. Live data is temporarily unavailable for this vehicle.
Caltrain departures are shown as scheduled departure times from each station (e.g. “10:32 AM”) rather than countdown minutes, matching how Caltrain riders plan their trips.
Watch Mode and Live Activity
Tap the clock icon on any arrival row to enter Watch Mode. A persistent mini bar appears at the bottom of every tab showing a live countdown for that vehicle. On supported iPhones, a Live Activity also appears on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island, so you can track your bus or train without unlocking your phone.
Arrival alerts
Swipe left on any arrival row to set a one-time notification for that specific vehicle. When the vehicle is approaching your stop, Arelo sends a local notification. No account or sign-up required. Alerts are automatically cleared after the vehicle passes.
Walking time
Each stop shows an estimated walking time from your current location. Walking time adjusts based on your mobility profile in Settings: default, fast walker, slow walker, cane user, or wheelchair user. This lets you quickly see whether you can make the next arrival before leaving.