Sound Transit has a ton of indirection
Sound Transit buses aren't ran by Sound Transit.
Metro Transit
operates these Sound Transit routes:
Community Transit
operates these Sound Transit routes:
Pierce Transit
operates these Sound Transit routes:
Sound Transit
operates these Sound Transit routes:
Sound Transit's website doesn't use Sound Transit servers. Their website makes CORS calls to 
OneBusAway. Their open data section also points developers to OneBusAway instead of the specific agencies operating the routes, at least as of writing.
I stumbled upon all this while debugging transit ETAs. Let me show you one artifact of my
research, what happens when you list
Metro Transit's official GTFS + GTFS-RT,
OneBusAway's GTFS-RT,
OneBusAway's ETAs, and
Transit's stop ETAs filtered to realtime ETAs for Metro Transit at the stop 15th Ave NE & NE 43rd St all at once.
70 Downtown Seattle Fairview route #100264 trip #809239730
3m ago as of 2m ago • ✅ vehicle 8263 running
49 Downtown Seattle Broadway route #100447 trip #650253470
42s ago as of 42s ago • ✅ vehicle 4332 running
63s ago as of 2m ago • ✅ vehicle 4332 running
63s ago as of 2m ago • ✅ vehicle 4332 running
372 Lake City Ravenna route #100214 trip #609382620
in 4m as of 46s ago • ✅ vehicle 7486 running
in 4m as of 82s ago • ⏰ vehicle 7486 on other trip 761834900
in 4m as of 46s ago • ✅ vehicle 7486 running
in 3m
48 Mount Baker Transit Center Central District route #100228 trip #770725370
in 6m • ❌ no vehicle
in 6m as of 71s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095110
in 6m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095110 on trip 770724270
in 5m
44 University Of Washington Medical Center Wallingford route #100224 trip #634036760
in 8m as of 53s ago • ✅ vehicle 4537 running
in 8m as of 68s ago • ✅ vehicle 4537 running
in 8m as of 53s ago • ✅ vehicle 4537 running
in 6m
70 Downtown Seattle Fairview route #100264 trip #809239490
in 10m • ❌ no vehicle
in 10m as of 71s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095654
in 10m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095654 on trip 809239540
in 8m
271 Issaquah Bellevue route #100162 trip #694317370
in 13m • ❌ no vehicle
in 13m as of 71s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095886
in 13m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095886 on trip 720941470
in 12m
49 Downtown Seattle Broadway route #100447 trip #650253480
in 16m • ❌ no vehicle
in 16m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 4334 on other trip 800639250
in 16m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 4334 on other trip 800639250
in 15m
372 Lake City Ravenna route #100214 trip #609381790
in 19m • ❌ no vehicle
in 19m as of 72s ago • ⏰ vehicle 7483 on other trip 761834360
in 19m as of 42s ago • ⏰ vehicle 7483 on other trip 761834360
in 18m
44 University Of Washington Medical Center Wallingford route #100224 trip #634038540
in 21m as of 44s ago • ✅ vehicle 4558 running
in 21m as of 2m ago • ✅ vehicle 4558 running
in 21m as of 44s ago • ✅ vehicle 4558 running
in 19m
48 Mount Baker Transit Center Central District route #100228 trip #770724540
in 21m as of 53s ago • ✅ vehicle 8037 running
in 21m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 8037 on other trip 770724280
in 21m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 8037 on other trip 770724280
in 20m
70 Downtown Seattle Fairview route #100264 trip #809239840
in 25m • ❌ no vehicle
in 25m as of 75s ago • ⏰ vehicle 8231 on other trip 809239800
in 25m as of 45s ago • ⏰ vehicle 8231 on other trip 809239800
in 23m
542 Redmond route #100511 trip #569520840
in 28m
44 University Of Washington Medical Center Wallingford route #100224 trip #634036920
in 30m as of 41s ago • ✅ vehicle 4523 running
in 30m as of 71s ago • ⏰ vehicle 4523 on other trip 634036900
in 30m as of 41s ago • ⏰ vehicle 4523 on other trip 634036900
in 28m
372 Lake City Ravenna route #100214 trip #609383120
in 34m • ❌ no vehicle
in 34m as of 71s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095950
in 34m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095950 on trip 609383080
in 33m
49 Downtown Seattle Broadway route #100447 trip #650253490
in 36m • ❌ no vehicle
in 36m as of 71s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8109598
in 36m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8109598 on trip 800639300
in 35m
48 Mount Baker Transit Center Central District route #100228 trip #770724660
in 36m • ❌ no vehicle
in 36m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 8064 on other trip 770724100
in 36m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 8064 on other trip 770724100
in 35m
70 Downtown Seattle Fairview route #100264 trip #809240040
in 40m • ❌ no vehicle
in 40m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 8235 on other trip 809240070
in 40m as of 47s ago • ⏰ vehicle 8235 on other trip 809240070
in 38m
271 Issaquah Bellevue route #100162 trip #694317380
in 43m • ❌ no vehicle
in 43m as of 72s ago • ⏰ vehicle 7376 on other trip 720941500
in 43m as of 42s ago • ⏰ vehicle 7376 on other trip 720941500
in 42m
44 University Of Washington Medical Center Wallingford route #100224 trip #634038140
in 45m • ❌ no vehicle
in 45m as of 80s ago • ⏰ vehicle 4513 on other trip 634038150
in 45m as of 50s ago • ⏰ vehicle 4513 on other trip 634038150
in 43m
372 Lake City Ravenna route #100214 trip #609382360
in 49m • ❌ no vehicle
in 49m as of 71s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095947
in 49m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095947 on trip 609382270
in 48m
48 Mount Baker Transit Center Central District route #100228 trip #770725200
in 51m • ❌ no vehicle
in 51m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 8075 on other trip 770724870
in 51m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 8075 on other trip 770724870
in 50m
70 Downtown Seattle Fairview route #100264 trip #809240350
in 55m • ❌ no vehicle
in 55m as of 71s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095657
in 55m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095657 on trip 809240340
in 53m
49 Downtown Seattle Broadway route #100447 trip #650253500
in 56m • ❌ no vehicle
in 56m as of 71s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8109587
in 56m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8109587 on trip 650253450
in 55m
44 University Of Washington Medical Center Wallingford route #100224 trip #663970530
in 57m • ❌ no vehicle
in 57m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 4548 on other trip 634037520
in 57m as of 47s ago • ⏰ vehicle 4548 on other trip 634037520
in 55m
372 Lake City Ravenna route #100214 trip #609382840
in 62m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 7427 on other trip 609382950
48 Mount Baker Transit Center Central District route #100228 trip #770724990
in 66m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095037 on trip 770724120
44 University Of Washington Medical Center Wallingford route #100224 trip #634037690
in 69m • ❌ no vehicle
in 69m as of 71s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8109570
in 69m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8109570 on trip 634037660
in 67m
70 Downtown Seattle Fairview route #100264 trip #809239610
in 70m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095663 on trip 809239520
271 Issaquah Bellevue route #100162 trip #694317410
in 73m as of 49s ago • ⏰ vehicle 7249 on other trip 720941520
49 Downtown Seattle Broadway route #100447 trip #650253510
in 76m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8109600 on trip 650252720
372 Lake City Ravenna route #100214 trip #609382560
in 78m as of 46s ago • ⏰ vehicle 7486 on other trip 609382620
48 Mount Baker Transit Center Central District route #100228 trip #770724450
in 79m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 8290 on other trip 770724800
44 University Of Washington Medical Center Wallingford route #100224 trip #634037260
in 81m • ❌ no vehicle
in 81m as of 3m ago • ⏰ vehicle 4560 on other trip 634037240
in 81m as of 71s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8109554
in 81m as of 3m ago • ⏰ vehicle 4560 on other trip 634037240
in 81m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8109554 on trip 634037240
in 79m
372 Lake City Ravenna route #100214 trip #609381830
in 93m as of 42s ago • ⏰ vehicle 7483 on other trip 761834360
44 University Of Washington Medical Center Wallingford route #100224 trip #634036730
in 93m as of 53s ago • ⏰ vehicle 4537 on other trip 634036760
49 Downtown Seattle Broadway route #100447 trip #650253520
in 96m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 4332 on other trip 650253470
48 Mount Baker Transit Center Central District route #100228 trip #770724390
in 96m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 8054 on other trip 770725260
70 Downtown Seattle Fairview route #100264 trip #809239600
in 100m as of 42s ago • ⏰ vehicle 8209 on other trip 809239470
271 Issaquah Bellevue route #100162 trip #694317430
in 103m as of 52s ago • ⏰ vehicle 7356 on other trip 720941540
43 Capitol Hill University Of Washington Medical Center route #100223 trip #761057970
in 104m as of 44s ago • ⏰ vehicle 4558 on other trip 634038540
372 Lake City Ravenna route #100214 trip #609383110
in 109m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095950 on trip 609383080
48 Mount Baker Transit Center Central District route #100228 trip #770724950
in 111m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095110 on trip 770724270
70 Downtown Seattle Fairview route #100264 trip #809239700
in 115m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 8263 on other trip 809239730
44 University Of Washington Medical Center Wallingford route #100224 trip #634036970
in 119m as of 41s ago • ⏰ vehicle 4523 on other trip 634036900
372 Lake City Ravenna route #100214 trip #609382420
in 125m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095947 on trip 609382270
48 Mount Baker Transit Center Central District route #100228 trip #770724860
in 126m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 8037 on other trip 770724280
70 Downtown Seattle Fairview route #100264 trip #809239660
in 130m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095654 on trip 809239540
271 Issaquah Bellevue route #100162 trip #694317450
in 132m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095891 on trip 720941570
49 Downtown Seattle Broadway route #100447 trip #650253540
in 137m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8109598 on trip 800639300
372 Lake City Ravenna route #100214 trip #609382920
in 137m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 7427 on other trip 609382950
48 Mount Baker Transit Center Central District route #100228 trip #770724850
in 138m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 8064 on other trip 770724100
44 University Of Washington Medical Center Wallingford route #100224 trip #634038190
in 142m as of 50s ago • ⏰ vehicle 4513 on other trip 634038150
70 Downtown Seattle Fairview route #100264 trip #809239780
in 145m as of 45s ago • ⏰ vehicle 8231 on other trip 809239800
48 Mount Baker Transit Center Central District route #100228 trip #770724960
in 156m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 8075 on other trip 770724870
44 University Of Washington Medical Center Wallingford route #100224 trip #634037740
in 158m as of 47s ago • ⏰ vehicle 4548 on other trip 634037520
70 Downtown Seattle Fairview route #100264 trip #809240060
in 160m as of 47s ago • ⏰ vehicle 8235 on other trip 809240070
271 Issaquah Bellevue route #100162 trip #694317460
in 161m as of 51s ago • ⏰ vehicle 7371 on other trip 694317330
372 Lake City Ravenna route #100214 trip #609382550
in 169m as of 46s ago • ⏰ vehicle 7486 on other trip 609382620
48 Mount Baker Transit Center Central District route #100228 trip #770724980
in 171m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095037 on trip 770724120
44 University Of Washington Medical Center Wallingford route #100224 trip #634037290
in 173m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8109570 on trip 634037660
70 Downtown Seattle Fairview route #100264 trip #809240310
in 175m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095657 on trip 809240340
372 Lake City Ravenna route #100214 trip #609381870
in 183m as of 42s ago • ⏰ vehicle 7483 on other trip 761834360
48 Mount Baker Transit Center Central District route #100228 trip #770725210
in 184m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 8290 on other trip 770724800
70 Downtown Seattle Fairview route #100264 trip #809239680
in 190m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095663 on trip 809239520
271 Issaquah Bellevue route #100162 trip #694317510
in 191m as of 53s ago • ⏰ vehicle 7237 on other trip 694317350
49 Downtown Seattle Broadway route #100447 trip #650253570
in 194m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8109600 on trip 650252720
372 Lake City Ravenna route #100214 trip #609383170
in 200m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095950 on trip 609383080
48 Mount Baker Transit Center Central District route #100228 trip #770724510
in 201m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 8054 on other trip 770725260
44 University Of Washington Medical Center Wallingford route #100224 trip #634038590
in 204m as of 53s ago • ⏰ vehicle 4537 on other trip 634036760
49 Downtown Seattle Broadway route #100447 trip #650253580
in 214m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 4332 on other trip 650253470
372 Lake City Ravenna route #100214 trip #609382320
in 215m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095947 on trip 609382270
48 Mount Baker Transit Center Central District route #100228 trip #770724470
in 216m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095110 on trip 770724270
44 University Of Washington Medical Center Wallingford route #100224 trip #634036910
in 219m as of 41s ago • ⏰ vehicle 4523 on other trip 634036900
70 Downtown Seattle Fairview route #100264 trip #809239690
in 220m as of 42s ago • ⏰ vehicle 8209 on other trip 809239470
271 Issaquah Bellevue route #100162 trip #694317540
in 221m as of 52s ago • 👻 ghost vehicle 8095886 on trip 720941470
372 Lake City Ravenna route #100214 trip #609382970
in 228m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 7427 on other trip 609382950
48 Mount Baker Transit Center Central District route #100228 trip #770724410
in 231m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 8037 on other trip 770724280
49 Downtown Seattle Broadway route #100447 trip #650253590
in 234m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 4334 on other trip 800639250
70 Downtown Seattle Fairview route #100264 trip #809239670
in 235m as of 2m ago • ⏰ vehicle 8263 on other trip 809239730
It turns out only
6 ETAs are linked to a vehicle, including 3 of the 3
ETAs that are definitely realtime. Then there's 10 ETAs where the vehicle can be inferred, and 10 unlinked to a vehicle (so OBA makes up a 👻 ghost vehicle), where I suspect the ETA isn't actually based on realtime data
and should be tagged as NO_DATA instead. Meanwhile
54 are a figment of OBA JSON's imagination, fixed here.