Technology to improve commuter travel
ALEXANDRA - The Gauteng provincial government has launched a mobile public transport application which they hope will improve commuter travel.
The Gauteng provincial government has launched a mobile public transport application, GoGauteng which they hope will improve commuter travel.
The application was developed by IT company, Mobility and was launched by the MEC for Road and Transport, Dr Ismail Vadi and Mxolisi Xayiya.
MEC for Economic Development. Vadi said the application would help the province achieve its vision of establishing a fully-fledged commuter information system. Referring to the application’s name, GoGauteng he said, “We call it Gauteng on the move as its about transport integration and letting people move swiftly and efficiently.”
Explaining the application Mobility chief executive officer, Justin Cotze said it would provide commuters public transport information, timetables, updates and announcements using smart phones, Androit, iOS, Mobi site, Blackberry, and also old phones through Mxit and USSD.
“The information has been integrated from Metrorail, Rea Vaya, Gautrain and would soon include Putco,” he said. He added that the application would be further improved to enable commuters share their experiences, register transport profiles and chat with fellow travellers in an attempt to lure youths to use public transport.
Another innovative transport application in the pipeline is Afta Robot which is being developed for the taxi industry by IT company, Sowertech. Company representative, Obakeng Matlhoko said the application had been piloted with the Alexandra, Randburg, Midrand, Sandton Taxi Association queue marshals in Alexandra and was still going through consultation processes with them and other stakeholders. The application will help marshals register taxis on arrival at ranks, in dispatching and monitoring their movement, and also provide commuters information on their routes and movement patterns. He added that the application would be further developed to integrate information from the taxi drivers.
Details: Lindi Tshabangu; 011 887 3422 or lindi@headlines.co.za
