AltTransport highlights real-time bus tracking apps from New York to California where, as announced last month, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CA) recently launched Nextrip. In a related story, KABC-TV spoke with some satisfied customers about LA Metro’s real-time bus arrival information service. “It’s pretty good,” said one rider. “If I know myRead… Read more »
Wondering what U.S. Transportation secretary Ray LaHood considers his favorite mode of transportation? The answer is in the May edition of his On the Go video blog, which also tackles questions about high-speed rail, bicycling, and fuel economy. Viewers can submit questions for future editions via Facebook, Twitter (hashtag #q4ray), or the Fast Lane blog.Read… Read more »
Free transit rides for most seniors will end on September 1, when the Regional Transportation Authority (IL) implements changes to the Seniors Ride Free program introduced when Rod Blagojevich was governor. According to The Chicago Tribune, about 415,000 seniors will transition from the free passes to half-price fares on Chicago-area fixed-route bus and rail services.Read… Read more »
A researcher at Japan’s University of Hyogo believes that commuters will determine the success of Google’s new mobile wallet. “Commuters place a great deal of value on products that enable them to reduce their commuting time,” Sheikh Taher Abu writes in Telematics and Informatics. “Wallet phones enable them to do so by completely bypassing theRead… Read more »
Sydney-area commuters will start seeing progress in the long-delayed project to introduce smart cards, as CityRail (NSW) takes the first steps toward installing new card readers at 260 ungated train stations. The government-owned Rail Corporation New South Wales, which operates CityRail and the regional CountryLink (serving destinations in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and theRead… Read more »
Memories of last winter are fading rapidly as transit agencies from Ottawa to Washington are addressing the special challenges of keeping service running — and customers cool — in the summer. The Washington Post paints a none-too-appealing picture of the impacts of an early heat wave on Metrorail (DC): Hot stations and rail cars areRead… Read more »
Beyond the fans, likes, followers, and friends, social media can expose organizations to a range of threats. According to Network World, these can include malware embedded in mobile applications and social networking sites and “smooth-talking scammers” who take advantage of the new willingness to share all kinds of personal information via very public channels. AlsoRead… Read more »
Washington’s Capital Bikeshare (DC) is launching Reverse Rider Rewards, an incentive program to help keep the system balanced by encouraging riders to drop off bicycles at the region’s empty stations. Starting on June 1 and continuing through the summer months, members will earn points for trips that start at a designated “Typically Full Station” andRead… Read more »
Following up on last week’s story about the black market in TriMet (OR) passes, columnist Joseph Rose answered reader questions in The Oregonian. The background: Thieves are using stolen credit cards to buy TriMet passes and sell them to make a quick buck. Answering a question about the costs of upgrading credit card security, RoseRead… Read more »
Following the lead of U.S. transportation secretary Ray LaHood, Amtrak launched Ask Our Expert to answer rider questions via YouTube. For the inaugural segment, Amtrak vice president of high-speed rail Al Engel answered questions from Facebook fans, including “What’s being done in the immediate future to speed up the Acela?” and “When will this countryRead… Read more »