I also mostly ignored them because they would often lie. When I lived in Chicago the bus drivers there were notorious for doing this.

I remember when the first transit apps became available, and you could actually see how far away the next bus/train was. No sir, there is not in fact 'an empty bus two stops away', it's still half an hour out and it's 10 below out here. I think I'll cram on your packed bus after all.