As ride-sharing companies make their way into Juneau, one local transit company is also looking to make for an easier, high-tech solution to getting around town.
Capital Transit joins dozens of other transit companies around the U.S. and Canada in using an app and website called Transit, aimed at making Juneau’s public transit easier to use. The same app is used by public transportation companies in Boston, Toronto, Long Island, Calgary and elsewhere.
“Some people say it’s difficult to navigate the system,” Fleet and Transit Superintendent Ed Foster said in a release. “We hope the new app and website improve the customer experience for current and new users.”
The app will display where buses are at all times for people to track their ride. Passengers can view schedules, route itineraries, set alarms for when their bus is about to arrive and get updates on disruptions. A feature called A GO provides step-by-step instructions for those on an unfamiliar route. The app also includes the location of the nearest Uber driver.
Capital Transit has updated its bus stop signs to include round color-coded numbers that display which routes serve each stop. There is also a larger number included on the signs that indicates which bus stop to look up on the app. If a rider enters the stop number in the app, he or she can get real-time arrival estimates for that stop.
Foster hopes the updates will not only make it easier for existing riders, but that they’ll attract a new group of riders as well.
“Incorporating technology into Capital Transit furthers our mission of providing safe, reliable transportation and providing the best possible transit service to the community,” Foster said.
