The Text Bus service that has been in the Bay of Plenty since the end of 2013 will be phased out next month.

The Text-a-bus system requires bus users to text a code displayed at their bus stop, with passengers receiving details of the next three vehicles that are scheduled at arrive at that bus stop.

With the current service, it only provides static timetable information, not real-time information.

The Text-a-bus system will continue to work until December 9.

Passenger Transport Bay of Plenty Regional Council Programme Leader, Rachel Pinn says the coded signage will be changed in the two weeks prior to that date.

'If users wish to continue using it between now and December 9, we recommend that they make a note of the code for their bus stop before the signage is changed.

'From December 10, the Text-a-bus system will not be active.”

'Those without a smartphone can call 0800 4 BAYBUS to find out when the next bus will arrive,” says Rachel.

'The decision made to replace it is because it's been surpassed by new technology. The Transit App is a real-time service but the text bus isn't.

'Text bus would receive on average about 2,000 texts a month, whereas in July alone this year, 40,000 sessions were open for the Transit App.”

The replacement for the text service is a free downloadable app called Transit App, available on IPhone or Android.

The Transit App is used in over 165 metropolitan areas around the world.