NJ TRANSIT announced Text Against Terror, a new security initiative that asks passengers to send a text message to transit police if they see something suspicious on the system. “This new initiative enables us to harness the prevalence of text-messaging among our customers to enhance the security of our transit system,” said police chief ChristopherRead… Read more »
Starting today, Google Maps will include real-time transit updates for selected systems. As announced on its blog, Google has partnered with six agencies for this service: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MA), Bay Area Rapid Transit (CA), TriMet (OR), San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (CA), Empresa Municipal de Transportes de Madrid (Spain) and Gruppo Torinese TrasportiRead… Read more »
As the Toronto Star reported, the Toronto Transit Commission (ON) is moving toward adopting the regional PRESTO card. “We need to move people out of their cars and onto transit. And to do that, we need to make transit as convenient as possible,” said Ontario transportation minister Kathleen Wynne. “Part of doing that is notRead… Read more »
European Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas announced a challenge to develop an integrated European journey planner that includes all countries and modes of transportation. “I do not see why there is such a big patchwork of journey planners when there is supposed to be one European market. I want to travel through Europe, switching fromRead… Read more »
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (CA) is launching an all-4G wireless communications network for its light-rail trains and buses. “We are continually looking for ways to enhance our customers’ travel experience,” said chief information officer Gary Miskell. “For years, free WiFi has been the most requested amenity to make public transit a more appealingRead… Read more »
Customers will soon be able to use their co-branded EasyCards on Taiwan High Speed Rail. The cards are already accepted on the Taipei Metro, Taiwan Railway and buses in Greater Taipei City and Taipei County. “The touch-and-go service will save passengers at least 20 minutes of waiting and ticket processing time,” said high-speed rail chairmanRead… Read more »
Despite customer concerns about sharing their location with cell phone providers, several organizations are using crowdsourced geolocation data to track public services. In New York, web development company Densebrain is analyzing cell phone data to track Metropolitan Transportation Authority subway services. According to The New York Times, the project looks for disruptions in cell phoneRead… Read more »
The Toronto Star reports that the Toronto Transit Commission (ON) will recommend abandoning plans for an open fare payment system and instead tap into the regional PRESTO card. A staff report will recommend negotiating terms for introducing the card with Metrolinx and the Province of Ontario. About $140 million is available to implement PRESTO, butRead… Read more »
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority launched TransitView last week, a service that shows users real-time bus and trolley location information via smart phone or Internet connection. TransitView does not provide arrival predictions but shows current bus locations on map that is updated every three minutes. Based on GPS data, location information is available for SEPTA’sRead… Read more »
Want to know whether you can commute to that new job in less than 30 minutes? Mapnificent can show you. Developed by German software engineer Stefan Wehrmeyer, the application helps users visualize how far they can travel by transit or bicycle in a given time. The app uses transit data in the GTFS format toRead… Read more »