PHOENIX—Ever wonder when your bus is arriving? Or, when the next train will pull into the station? Ponder no more. Valley Metro, in partnership with the city of Phoenix and Vix Technology, has launched the new Valley Metro: Plan & Track app that features real time bus and light rail tracking and trip planning.
“More than 90 percent of our riders own a smartphone and with this major upgrade in technology, our vital transit system becomes more accessible and easier to use. This new tool is particularly critical as our riders and our communities return stronger than ever from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Vice Chair of the Valley Metro RPTA Board of Directors.
The planning and tracking features of the app were accelerated after a 2020 rider survey indicated that nearly 70 percent of respondents stated that it is very important to keep riders informed of service updates. With real time tracking, it gives the riders the ability to see when their bus or train will arrive. With the app now available, riders can:
- Plan trips with step-by-step navigation
- Track buses and trains in real time
- View a trip’s travel time
- Save favorite stops
- Get service alerts and updates.
“This digital tool is a game changer for our riders. It basically takes all of the guesswork out of planning a transit trip,” said Scott Smith, Valley Metro CEO. “We know this is a big deal for current riders and we believe it will attract new riders to our ever-growing system.”
In addition to real-time tracking, the app will introduce mobile fare payment in 2022. Riders will be able to create an account and pay for transit fares directly from their phone.
On behalf of the region, the city of Phoenix has contracted with Vix Technology to modernize Valley Metro’s regional fare system, giving riders greater tools and flexibility to access the transit system. This app is the first enhancement as part of a multi-year program that will also include mobile ticketing, reloadable smart cards and new, more modern fare collection equipment.
The app is free to download and is available on iOS and Google Play.
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