Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

The University of Hawaii at Manoa is trying to increase ridership and create a strict, on-time schedule for its shuttles. It paid $15,960 for the app as well as the system of wireless transmitters installed in the buses.

Provides near real-time insight on available parking, including policy information for specific campus lots.

Approximately 150 riders were chosen from more than 1,500 applicants to test the mobile application. They will test the app for about a month and provide feedback through surveys. Once the beta test is completed and feedback incorporated, the agency expects to launch the mobile ticketing app to all riders later this summer.

Features include locations of bus routes and rail lines close to riders’ locations, information on scheduled and real time bus and rail arrivals, and suggestions for convenient trip routes based on arrival time, transfers and/or walking distance.

Unique technology, developed by Massachusetts-based mobile firm Raizlabs, will feed real-time service information into the palm of a conductor’s hand as the application’s satellite function will show the speed, exact location and track assignment of every train on the commuter rail system.

Customers can now purchase and display rail tickets and passes using the MBTA mTicket app for iPhone and Android. The tickets are displayed on the phone’s screen as an encrypted barcode and as a human-readable ticket. Partnered with Masabi U.S. Ltd.

Includes the same features that travelers in the region have been using on the goroo desktop site, such as trip directions using transit, driving, walking, biking or any combination; weather forecasts; real-time arrival estimates; and information on major destinations and attractions in the region.

Officials at both the transit agency and university hope the app could boost ridership.

Smart phone users simply open the application, select an issue, take a picture and tap “submit” — the application picks up the exact location and sends the issue directly to the agency staff member responsible for addressing the issue.

The application, available over the Internet, for iPhone and Android devices and as SMS message alerts, is available for free and has become a valuable tool for thousands planning transit trips throughout the region.