QCOSTARICA – Inspired by a model that is used in Germany and was developed in New York, a bus operator with routes on the east side of San José, will be able to tell its 80.000 daily users when the next bus is coming.
Staring un July, Consorcio Operativo del Este says users can download and app that is expected to pioneer city bus travel in Costa Rica.
Orlando Ramirez, president of Consorcio, said his company will be the first in the country to use the technology in an effort to modernize its services, optimize resources and improve users experience.
The application, which is in beta testing, the app will be available for those using the bus on the San Pedro, Zapote, Curridabat, Sabanilla, Three Rivers and the Desamparados – Moravia Interlinea routes.
To generate a database with the names and telephone numbers of users, the company is running a contest called the Bus Regalón.
According to Ramirez, the initiative is that people send a text message with their information, that will be used bythe application. So far 22,000 people have registered.
The idea of creating a mobile application that allows users an update on the service provided is important to improve public transport, Ramirez said.
The company also has a satellite geolocation system in each of its buses and radio monitoring center that lets them know how many people travel on buses, in addition to detect if there are delays and road traffic conditions.
