San Jose buses now move through the streets with a new edge, thanks to an AI system that trims travel times by about 20 percent on all 24 routes. This rollout covers the entire municipal network, turning everyday commutes into smoother experiences for riders across the city. Officials highlight how these gains add up, touching sustainability, safety, and daily life for residents who rely on public transit.
The technology comes from a partnership with LYT, a Folsom-based firm, and works alongside the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. Transponders on buses connect via cellular signals to a cloud platform, which tweaks traffic lights in real time as vehicles approach. This setup cuts red-light waits without any roadwork or major disruptions.
It started as a 2023 pilot on just two routes, where wait times at intersections dropped by half, leading to those overall trip savings. Funded entirely by state and federal grants under Mayor Matt Mahan's administration, the full expansion happened swiftly once the results proved out. City leaders adjusted schedules to match the faster paces.
These improvements arrive at a perfect moment with World Cup matches set to flood the South Bay later this year. Faster buses mean less congestion stress and more appeal for transit over cars, aligning with San Jose's transit-first goals. As the city explores AI for everything from housing permits to emergency planning, this step shows how tech can deliver real, resident-focused wins.
Source: SVBJ
