METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Digital couponing app provides local merchant offers to transit riders

The new Shop and Ride app, powered by Xerox, delivers personalized, hyperlocal, mobile offers to transit riders based on their preferences and travel patterns.

August 15, 2016
3 min to read


Mass transit riders in Hoboken now have an even greater incentive to ride public transit. Starting today, they can download the Shop and Ride app and begin receiving discounts, savings and special offers from merchants along their routes.

The new Shop and Ride app, powered by Xerox, delivers personalized, hyperlocal, mobile offers to transit riders based on their preferences and travel patterns. Beacon technology placed in local bus shelters and at merchant sites communicates with the app so users are notified of existing offers in the area or at a particular store. With a single touch, riders can save a coupon to redeem it immediately or at a later time.

Merchants also benefit from the app. They share two mobile offers per week with Shop and Ride app users. Xerox provides the merchants with real-time tracking of deal conversions and anonymized data — such as the number of users who save, open and redeem the coupons. This allows merchants to make data-driven decisions based on which offers resonate most with consumers.

Ad Loading...

"Hoboken is the ideal place for us to test the Shop and Ride app because of its size, its more than 200,000 transit riders, the number of area merchants and proximity to New York City," said Chris Holmes, VP, mobile commerce solutions, Payments and Public Sector, Xerox. "Our research shows that riders want offers for food, shopping and entertainment based on their likes as they travel. Shop and Ride was developed with this in mind so deals are timely, relevant and readily available."

Xerox is working closely with AR James, a local transit advertising agency, to connect with local merchants and bring the Shop and Ride app to Hoboken.

"This app is part of a new wave in advertising innovation," said Jim DeLucia, CEO of AR James. "The endeavor with Xerox takes our successful approach to advertising in transit shelters and stations to a new level, connecting riders and their mobile devices through the use of beacon technology."

Xerox is currently working with 35 merchants in Hoboken to extend deals to New Jersey Transit riders. The list of merchants is expected to grow to at least 60 by the end of the summer.

The Shop and Ride app is now available for download in the Apple store.

The app grew out of research conducted at PARC, A Xerox company, working in concert with other Xerox research and development efforts helping transportation customers integrate mobile technology into their offerings. Shop and Ride joins other Xerox urban mobility projects being deployed around the world. Earlier this year, Xerox launched Go LA, Go Denver and recently Go Bangalore to encourage multimodal transportation. These apps capture all available transportation options in the city and compute the shortest, cheapest and most sustainable ways to reach a commuter's destination.

More New Mobility

frontrunner bus
SponsoredApril 1, 2026

Breaking Accessibility Barriers with the Low Floor Frontrunner Minibus

Accessible transit isn’t a feature—it’s a responsibility. This whitepaper explores how the Low-Floor Frontrunner is redefining mobility with a breakthrough design that removes barriers, empowers riders, and delivers measurable operational advantages for agencies. Discover why this next generation minibus is setting a new standard for inclusive transportation.

Read More →
A new LexRide vehicle for Lextran's on-demand service.
New Mobilityby StaffMarch 31, 2026

Kentucky's Lextran Launches LexRide to Enhance Downtown Mobility

LexRide connects key destinations, including Downtown Lexington, the Distillery District, and the Warehouse Block/National Avenue area, making it easier to explore without worrying about parking, traffic, or multiple rideshare trips.

Read More →
Opening art for Sustabinability Partners Q&A
Zero Emissionsby Alex RomanMarch 25, 2026

Inside EVaaS: A New Model for Airport Fleet Electrification

Sustainability Partners’ Arnold Albiar discusses how a service-based approach is helping airports and public agencies deploy and manage electric fleets more efficiently.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Officials and community leaders cut a ribbon in front of a Pace On Demand shuttle bus outside Rolling Meadows City Hall to celebrate expanded on-demand transit service in northwest Cook County.
New Mobilityby News/Media ReleaseMarch 9, 2026

Chicago Pace Expand On-Demand Transportation Program

The expanded service builds on Pace’s growing On Demand network and is intended to improve access to destinations such as medical appointments, schools, shopping, employment centers and connections to the regional transit system.

Read More →
A vehicle that will be used for MARTA's Reach mobility program.
New Mobilityby StaffMarch 2, 2026

Atlanta's MARTA Set to Launch New On-Demand Transportation Service

An important part of the authority’s NextGen Bus Network, MARTA Reach will bring transit service directly to the rider’s location and offer a seamless link to the broader rail and bus system.

Read More →
A black and blue HOLON urban autonomous vehicle on a city street.
New Mobilityby Elora HaynesFebruary 26, 2026

CharterUP Moves to Scale Autonomous Shuttle Deployments Through HOLON Partnership

The partnership aims to accelerate the rollout of electric, high-capacity autonomous shuttles for campuses, airports, transit systems, and more.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Portrait of Joshua Schank, Ph.D., alongside the ACES Mobility Coalition logo.
Managementby StaffFebruary 16, 2026

ACES Mobility Coalition Selects Joshua Schank as New Executive Director

Veteran transportation innovator to lead coalition as it pushes nationwide expansion of shared autonomous mobility.

Read More →
David Carol, Baker Alloush, and Jesse Lazarus from METRO's People Movement February 4 edition.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsFebruary 4, 2026

New Rolling Stock Strategy Lead at New York MTA and More in People Movement

In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at HDR, NCTD, STV, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.

Read More →
New Mobilityby StaffJanuary 30, 2026

Chicago's Pace Expands VanGo Mobility Program

The service is a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gaps and connect riders to employment for just $5 per day.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Busby StaffJanuary 22, 2026

Biz Briefs: BART, Uber Launch Partnership and More

Stay informed with these quick takes on the projects and companies driving progress across the transportation landscape.

Read More →