Metrobus: Sussex, Surrey, Kent 4+

Good App

Update: The developer has just confirmed that data is not sent to Google as it does not actually use the mapping engine, just the map itself

It uses Google maps, which basically means Google know exactly where you are and what buses you use, and they use that data to give you ads about where you are.

Developer Response ,

Thank you very much for your review. Whilst our maps do use Google Maps tiles to overlay the visual of the map, it doesn't actually use Google's mapping engine and therefore no data is transmitted to Google beyond anonymised analytics data to help us make informed decisions regarding improvements to the app. We take data privacy seriously and we limit data transfer wherever possible. Hope that helps to reassure you!

Works some of the time - but lets you down when it really matters.

I've used this app since it was introduced and it works well enough in certain circumstances - but it now has serious flaws that Metrobus has known about for months and done nothing about.

The key one is the 'mirage' bus, one that is actually being reported purely from the timetable but appears to be from real time.
This manifestation can often be exposed by looking at the map associated with the bus - but, infuriatingly, not always.

The second, rarer but if anything more annoying, is the bus which is shown as continuing to its destination but in fact is being taken out of service as it arrives at your stop. Beware of Crawley Bus Station on that one.

Both of these happened to me recently : two 100s arriving at Crawley Bus Station in succession as per the real time info - only to be taken out of service, and at a nearby stop a mirage 20 bus followed by another 20 minutes later which blinked in and out of real time - but it in fact was real.

Apps have bugs now and again. What matters is how quickly the publisher fixes them. On that, Metrobus scores a one * only.

All you need

If you click on the stop it tells you what buses will depart from that stop.
It adapts to any delays and you can even check where the bus is on its route to you.
What else do you need?
I have found it really good and useful.