Catching the SMART bus is about to become
much easier, at least if Hayes
Jones has anything to say about it.The newly hired general manager of the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional
Transportation is looking at a couple of ways to use new technology to make
traveling on the authority's buses easier and faster.
Among the innovations that could be in
place before the end of the year is using a MapQuest-like
feature on the authority's web site to plan out trips. The tool would not only
tell patrons which buses to take but when they stop at their destinations or
transfer to other buses.
Another possibility is putting the buses
routes into real time. That would allow patrons with smart phones or laptops to
check when their bus is on
time or not.
The idea behind the two innovations is to
eliminate waiting time for passengers and streamline their bus-riding
experience. Jones also said at a recent meeting for Transportation Riders
United that he and his staff are looking for ways to be more customer-service
oriented by getting rid of small inconveniences and adding new services.
Source: Hayes Jones, general manager of the
Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation
Writer: Jon Zemke
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