In a welcome twist for people with good ideas but no programming skills, two U.S. cities are trying a new take on the latest trend in applications development — the competition. In New York City, the NYC BigAppsIdea challenge is asking the public to share the apps they want for residents, businesses, and visitors.To enterRead… Read more »
Travelers have paid millions of pounds in overcharges to London-area transportation providers and public trust in the Oyster card could be undermined, unless changes are made according to new research from London TravelWatch. The watchdog group, set up by Parliament to provide a voice for the traveling public, looked into concerns about “incomplete journeys” onRead… Read more »
Police broke up an alleged counterfeiting ring that was costing the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (CA) an estimated $500 a day. An investigation by a local news team tipped off the police, who arrested two suspects and confiscated 287 tickets. Switching from paper transfers to the Clipper smart card could solve the problem, Muni’sRead… Read more »
After coming under fire a few months ago for its customer communications — and especially its use of Twitter — Portland’s TriMet (OR) is now asking its followers for feedback. In an online survey, the agency asks riders what they expect from TriMet’s tweets (and what topics, if any, are off limits), how they accessRead… Read more »
Two mechanics from the San Mateo County Transit District (CA) are accused of stealing more than $40,000 from Caltrain ticket vending machines. The workers allegedly removed damaged machines for repair, took them apart, removed the cash, and returned them to service. An internal audit, combined with surveillance videos, helped uncover the scheme. Link to fullRead… Read more »
After a government review, the Australian state of Victoria has decided to keep the troubled myki smart card system. The state has reached a deal with NTT Data, the parent company of the myki contractor Kamco, to move forward. “The revised contract will deliver a reliable ticketing system with strengthened project management and governance arrangementsRead… Read more »
The Chicago Transit Authority (IL) announced plans to double the number of security cameras throughout its rail system, while also working with the Chicago Police Department to enhance passenger safety. CTA president Forrest Claypool said that the agency is using an accelerated bidding process to get 1,500 new cameras in place within six months. “We’reRead… Read more »
New York City subway riders are experiencing a resurgence of a 1980s phenomenon, and not all of them are happy about it. Digital technology has transformed the iconic boombox, and now commuters are assaulted by what AM New York calls “lightweight, but powerfully speakered iPods, iPhones, BlackBerries and Droids.” “In the last five years, it’sRead… Read more »
HopStop, an online source of transit and walking directions, has added 20 new cities to its market and updated its search tools. Now people from 57 metropolitan areas world-wide — including Moscow, Winnipeg, Las Vegas, and Charlotte — have the option to search for one-way, round-trip and multi-stop options and to obtain city-to-city directions viaRead… Read more »
A new web-based application from Walkonomics rates the walkability of city streets based on eight factors: Road safety Easy to cross Pavement/Sidewalk quality Hilliness Navigation Fear of crime Smart and beautiful Fun and relaxing These factors are distilled into a five-star rating and plotted on a Google map with color-coded markers. Ratings are drawn fromRead… Read more »