Have you ever heard someone say- “I could not live without my iPhone?” Well, I have said it myself and as odd as it may sound it does have some truth to it. Have people have become dependent on technology? Yes. But I would also argue that this dependency has created applications and resources that make our lives easier. An example of this is CDTA’s new iPhone application: “iRide”. This app transitions us into the future, making CDTA’s riders easily access schedules, routes, and more.
The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) has announced the release of its enhanced iRide customer information application for the iPhone. The new app makes it even easier to access CDTA information such as routes, schedules, arrivals, service advisories, enhanced maps and trip planning.
The new iRide application offers intuitive searches by route, specific bus stops or Capital Region landmarks. Schedule maps have been updated and turn by turn directions are now included. The iRide app is GPS-enabled and offers the nearest stops by proximity to the actual location. CDTA has also included links to its website, social media outlets and customer service center. Customers looking to find real time information for BusPlus can download the current BusPlus app from their provider’s store.
“Our new mobile application is a direct response to our customers needs” said Chairman David M. Stackrow, “More than 55% of our riders access CDTA from a mobile device and these improvements offer more information, quicker and easier than ever.”
The new technology was developed in cooperation with CooCoo, a Huntington, NY based transit technology company and is part of a larger project between CDTA, SPX Genfare and CooCoo to provide CDTA customers with industry-leading technology to pay fares using smart cards or smartphones.
The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) is the premier mobility provider in the Capital Region, providing local, express, commuter and bus rapid transit services. CooCoo is a Long Island, NY-based company that improves consumers transit experience by delivering integrated transit applications that provides riders with real-time transit information, trip planning and the ability to purchase transit passes all through the mobile device.SPX Genfare specializes in solutions that make for easier, smoother transitions to new hardware, operating systems and fare media.
These three entities have teamed together to create a movement towards technologically advanced ways to get your travel information. Schedules, stops, and routes can now literally be accessed with the click of a button, making everyone’s days a little bit easier and the stresses of public transportation seemingly disappear.
The app is now available for the iPhone in the app store and can be found at online! An Android version is scheduled to be released in March.
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