Kitsap Transit (WA) plans to install automatic vehicle location equipment on all its buses, with a goal of providing real-time information to its customers via smart phones, computers, and kiosks at major stops. “It’s really whiz-bang,” service development director John Clauson told the Kitsap Sun. “I’m very excited about having texting ability, having the kiosks,Read… Read more »
During its two-week debut, a mobile application showing real-time locations for Sydney Buses (NSW) received more than 200,000 views. The app used data from the New South Wales Roads and Traffic Authority, released for in February for an “app day.” Unfortunately for developer Ben Hosken, the RTA decided to withdraw its public data feed, andRead… Read more »
Two years after a fatal Metrorail crash, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (DC) is making progress, but officials say that work remains. “The good news is Metro did pay attention,” said Deborah A.P. Hersman, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board. “They listened and they’re committed to taking action to address the deficiencies. They’veRead… Read more »
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (OH) may soften its policy against fare evaders by giving scofflaws two days to pay a $50 fine before charging them with a crime. Under the current system, riders caught without paying receive a ticket and are charged with a fourth-degree misdemeanor; they can avoid a trial by payingRead… Read more »
San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (CA) has agreed to delay plans to install solar panels above 400 parking spaces at the Orinda station until the city finalizes its downtown planning process. Some local officials and residents believe that the carport could interfere with the city’s vision for downtown. Until the planning process is complete,Read… Read more »
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority announced a beta release of real-time commter rail data last night, and at least one application has already hit the streets. “It’s another tool in the toolbox for commuter rail riders,” the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Josh Robin told The Transit Wire. “For years commuter rail riders relied on paperRead… Read more »
The TransLink (QLD) go card went multi-platinum last week, celebrating two million cards issued. “There has been significant investment across the go card distribution network resulting in a 150% growth in the past 18 months,” said Annastacia Palaszczuk, transport and multicultural affairs minister for the Australian state of Queensland, in a statement. “The travel dataRead… Read more »
Until now, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NY) did not make it easy for commuters to fix or replace lost, damaged, or otherwise defective MetroCards. They had to mail the card back to MTA for a replacement (in some cases postmarked a day after the incident occurred) and answer a lot of questions on a paperRead… Read more »
Chicago Department of Transportation (IL) commissioner Gabe Klein wants to add multi-modal commuter information at the city’s 2,200 bus shelters. Klein, who previously was at the District Department of Transportation (DC), wants to install video screens that display everything from real-time Chicago Transit Authority bus locations to walk times to popular destinations. “Transportation is asRead… Read more »
As part of a federal initiative to cut government waste, the White House announced plans to eliminate at least half of the current inventory of federal websites. According to a White House blog post, there are nearly 2,000 top-level federal domains (dot-gov), but numerous subdomains and micro-sites inflate the list to almost 24,000 websites “ofRead… Read more »