IWKU APP RELEASED A NEW UPGRADE THAT FEATURES NEXTBUS TECHNOLOGY

The iWKU app provides students with information about Western Kentucky University. It gives instant access to campus maps, contact information, the course catalog, libraries, news, events, and more.

The recently released app update is integrated with NextBus technology so that students and faculty can see when campus busses arrive and depart. It allows students to access up to the minute bus information from their mobile devices.  In an environment where students are pressed for time, the application helps them determine exactly when the next bus will arrive. Students are already praising the new features of the app. Freshman Rachel Good explains:

“It’s very beneficial. I don’t have to worry about being late or leave my dorm really early to make sure I catch the bus. I know everything about my commute just by looking at my phone.”

For more information on the iWKU application, please click here.

 

MOBILE APP PROVIDES NEXTBUS DATA TO SAVE RIDERS TIME

Launched in January 2011, the free Charm City Circulator (CCC) App is a comprehensive tol for navigating the CCC and Baltimore. Available for the iPhone and Android devices, the app gives riders estimated arrival times for the next Charm City Circulator at their stop. Furthermore, riders can view maps of all three routes with stop names and numbers, ge0-location which zoons to find your location on the map, videos, nearby attractions, and important service and route updates.

Baltimore-based Mjach Designs created the app to simplify accessing the data. Melissa Lentz, principal of Mjach Designs explains:

“Our task was to take a new technology people really didn’t understand and were a little confused about and make it simple.”

Downtown businesses also expect to benefit from the application. Tourists and residents are now able to navigate the city better. It appears that Circulator riders are taking advantage of the technology. Since the January 2010 launch, nearly 4 million passengers have ridden the Circulator’s three routes. The app has also received favorable reviews from users. One writes:

“The Next Bus feature is great to use in the morning to catch the bus.”

Another rider comments:

“I’m a regular purple route commuter, and the next bus feature is very useful for deciding whether to wait or walk.”

With these apps, you will have the information you need in-hand to make riding easy. Head over to iTunes or Android Market and download now.

THE I-RIDE TROLLEYS IN ORLANDO UPGRADED 15 OF ITS TROLLEYS WITH NEXTTROLLEY REAL TIME ARRIVAL INFORMATION FOR ITS RIDERS

Since 1998, the I-Ride Trolley has provided a fun and economical way to get around the International Drive Resort Area. Tourists can easily access the areas attractions, shopping, restaurants and accomodations. It just became even easier with the implementation of NextBus Technology on 15 of the I-Ride Trolleys. Riders now have easy access to Trolley arrival times so that they can schedule and plan their day. This is a huge benefit for tourists who want to make the most out of their vacation time.

The Trolley real time bus information can be accessed via the internet, smartphones and text messaging. Futhermore, each of the 105 Trolley stops will display a QR tag that riders can scan for the NextTrolley information.

Alan Villaverde serves as chair of the I-Drive Master Transit & Improvement District. He is enthusiastic about providing a more efficient transportation system with cutting-edge visitor services. He states, “It’s fun, fast and affordable. Visitors now have the convenience of Trolley arrival information that enables them to schedule and plan their travel. We are very excited to be able to bring this technology to the I-Drive Area for our visitors to enjoy.

Since service 1998, the I-Ride Trolley has completed more than 25,543,538 trips. In 2011, the Trolley completed more than 2.5 trips. The trolley fare is $1.25 per person, per ride with accompanying children riding free (age 12 and under). Seniors fare (65 and over)is $0.25 per ride. Unlimited ride passes are also available.

The University of Iowa recently installed several monitor screens as part of its Bongo transporation project. The monitors display NextBus real-time arrival information across the city and campus. The screens also feature the location and arrival times of Cambus and Iowa City transit.

Officials are expecting the monitors to be another key driver in Bongo’s ability to increase ridership. Romy Bolton, director of enterprise services at the UI Information Technology Services reports that ridership on the Iowa City Transit, Coralville, and the UI’s Cambus transit services have all increased since Bongo’s inception. Iowa City has seen a 5% increase, and Coralville a 10% increase. Furthermore, Cambus reported its largest ridership of more than 4 million for 2011.

Students are responding favorably to the monitor implementation. The data provided is especially useful in cold weather to keep track of bus arrival times. Students depend on the reliability of the NextBus data.

Besides the convenience factor, increased ridership can also have a positive effect on the environment. Bolton explains, “”That’s fewer cars and the road and more feet on the buses. It’s got a huge sustainability impact.”

THIS WEEK, THE HARRISONBURG DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION LAUNCHED NEXTBUS TECHNOLOGY ON ITS BUSSES.

The service enhances passenger’s experiences by providing them with real time bus and schedule information in the city.  In addition to route information, passengers can access their phones to text or call to find out where the next arriving bus is located.  Or, if a bus is running late due to construction or an accident, riders will now know what the expected wait time is.

Furthermore, through NextBus technology, passengers with smartphones are able to scan QR codes at any of Harrisonburg’s bus stops throughout the city to obtain bus data information.  QR is short for Quick Response because they can be read quickly by a cell phone.  Its a very convenient way to display a small bit of information that is easily scanned and processed by mobile devices.

Reggie Smith, Director of Transportation, says the NextBus system will help keep his drivers accountable.

“If we get complaints we can look on the data and see when the bus was actually there so we know if the bus was really late or if it was running ahead of schedule, so it’s a good tool for everybody,” Smith explained.

Because the routes are focused around James Madison University’s campus, Smith is also hopeful that the real time passenger information system will help increase ridership in the city, especially among non-James Madison University students.  During the school year ridership is near capacity, but Smith anticipates that the NextBus technology will encourage more people to ride public transportation, even when school is out.

NEW MOBILE APP HELPS STUDENTS OBTAIN COMPREHENSIVE CAMPUS INFORMATION INCLUDING BUS SCHEDULE DATA

The latest mobile app for college students is helping them get around campus a little easier.   OneSchool, launched just a week ago provides a central source for student information.  The company recognizes that students heaveily rely on their phones, and saw the need for an app that enhances communications at their own school.

The OneSchool app is available for both iPhone and Android mobile devices, and features a bus tracker (with GPS information from NextBus), campus news, restaurants, and a map of campuses.  OneSchool Director of Marketing, Kathleen Warner explains:

“Being completely unfamiliar with the campus and being able to open up the app and getting a feel of the campus is really important, because college is so much more than your education.  It’s the experience.”

The app is free and now available to download.  OneSchool is continuously adding schools and plans on adding new information soon because the app is still growing.  Users are already positively reviewing the app.  One user writes:

“Learn the location of bus so you’ll never have to waste time waiting at the bus stop”  Another student claims: “Got me to class on time and helps me out around town.”

For more information about OneSchool, visit http://oneschool.com/

NEW MOBILE APP WILL ALLOW STUDENTS TO ACCESS LIVE NEXTBUS INFORMATION

 

Expected to be released in late December, Towson University will be offering a free mobile app to its students and faculty.  Information that was formerly available through several different resources can now be easily accessed in one place by anyone with an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Android and Blackberry smartphone.

 

The application, built in cooperation with Blackboard, will provide live NextBus data which will help students find out bus arrival information for on-campus routes.  In addition, course information, maps, and event updates will be included in the app.

 

Matthew Wynd, Director of Information Technology Systems explains,

“This resource is intended to help connect people to the Towson University information they need when they are on the go,” Wynd said. “The app uses the strength of mobile applications to provide a more interactive experience to accessing some information traditionally found on the TU website.”

 

For more information on Blackboard, visit:  http://www.blackboard.com/ Blackboard. Not just for chalk anymore. Blackboard is the place for professors to post grades, PowerPoints, discussion questions, assignments and more. Blackboard is especially important if you’re taking an online class, because you will use it to turn in all of your course work.

Through the TRIP information program, passengers on various public transit systems can obtain various information about the routes.  Several riders use more than one transit system, such as the Metro, Connect-A-Ride, or the MARC train.  NextBus is helping assist these customers who need detailed information about the routes in one place.  The TRIP website has a link to real-time information on the bus and train schedule.  Or, passengers can easily determine when the next bus will arrive by checking their smartphones.

MODERN FEATURES LIKE IOWA CITY’S BUS ON THE GO (WHICH USES NEXTBUS TECHNOLOGY) ARE MAKING RIDERSHIP MORE APPEALING TO PASSENGERS.

The Cedar Rapids transit system is trending to reach 1.1 million riders if recent ridership stays steady.  People are starting to notice the improvements that have been made to the routes.  In addition, Iowa City Transit counted just under 1.9 million passengers last year.  Riders are finding it easier to take the bus due to Iowa City’s Bus on the Go, which uses NextBus to track the buses’ location.  Riders can easily determine when the next bus will be arriving due to displays at bus-stop kiosks.  Furthermore, passengers can type in a bus stop number on their smartphones, and it will display the next arrival time with accuracy.  Paul Handley, director of trransportation policy at the University of Iowa’s Public Policy Center explains,

“Having people know when the bus is coming, that has actually increased ridership.  It has reduced the uncertainty.”

IN AN EFFORT TO HELP STUDENTS WITH THEIR COMMUTE, GEORGIA COLLEGE INSTALLS NEXTBUS TECHNOLOGY ON THEIR SHUTTLE BUSSES. Students can now commute around campus more conveniently due to NextBus technology.  Through display signs at shuttle stops, riders will be able to know exactly when the next bus will be arriving.  Riders can also access the NextBus website to find out where a bus is driving at any given time. Furthermore, Georgia College will also be able to use the display boards to convey urgent updates such as weather information or other important university information.

“We’ve known about NextBus for a while. Georgia Southern, Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia all use it,” said Director of Operations Greg Brown. “Over the last two and a half years we’ve looked into the efficiency of the smart system.”

As an increasing amount of students become unhappy about the lack of parking spots on campus, the reliable NextBus technology allows the shuttle to become a more popular mode of transportation. Another feature is that Georgia College can access data to determine if the shuttles are operating appropriately.  The NextBus reporting tools can see if busses are running on time, and if the routes are efficient.