July 6, 2021 3:00 p.m. Have you ever wondered when your bus will arrive? Or when does the next train arrive at the station? Don’t think about it anymore. Valley Metro, in collaboration with the City of Phoenix and Vix Technology, has launched the new Valley Metro: Plan & Track app, which provides real-time bus and light rail tracking and travel planning. “More than 90 percent of our drivers own a smartphone, and with this major technological upgrade, our critical transportation system is becoming more accessible and easier to use. This new tool is especially important as our drivers and our communities are returning from the COVID-19 pandemic stronger than ever, “said Kate Gallego, Mayor of Phoenix and Vice-Chairwoman of the RPTA Board of Directors of Valley Metro. The planning and tracking capabilities of the Apps accelerated after a 2020 driver survey found that nearly 70 percent of respondents said it is very important to keep drivers informed of service updates. Real-time tracking allows drivers to see when their bus is or train arrives. With the now available app, drivers can: • Plan journeys with step-by-step navigation • Track buses and trains in real time • View the travel time of a journey • Save favorite stops • Receive service notifications and updates. “This digital tool is a turning point for our passengers and it takes the guesswork out of planning a transit trip, ”said Scott Sm ith, CEO of Valley Metro. “We know this is a big deal for current drivers and we believe it will attract new drivers to our ever-expanding system.” In addition to real-time tracking, the app will introduce mobile fare payment in 2022. Passengers can create an account and pay fares directly from their phone. On behalf of the region, the City of Phoenix has signed a contract with Vix Technology to modernize Valley Metro’s regional fare system to give passengers more tools and flexibility to access the local transit system. This app is the first further development in a multi-year program that also includes mobile ticketing, rechargeable smart cards and new, more modern ticket machines. The new app is free and available on iOS and Google Play. About Valley Metro: Valley Metro exists to connect communities and make life better every day by providing environmentally friendly public transportation on Metro Phoenix. In the 2020 financial year, the total number of passengers for the regional bus and 28-mile light rail system was 53 million. Five high-performance transit expansions are planned or under construction that will create an 80-mile system by 2030. Valley Metro also offers alternative transportation programs, including paratransit services for the elderly and the disabled, commuter vanpools, online car pool matching, bus tickets, bike safety and teleworking. Two board members from 18 local cities and municipalities and the district set the political direction for the agency with the intention of promoting the regional public transport system in the Maricopa district. Stay up to date and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter or visit Valleymetro.org. About Phoenix Public Transit: The Phoenix Public Transit Department provides a variety of transportation options to Phoenix residents and is the largest member of the Valley Metro’s regional transit system. The offer ranges from local and local buses to alternative means of transport for seniors and special needs. The City of Phoenix is funding transit and other traffic improvements through Transportation 2050 (T2050) – a local sales tax approved by Phoenix voters in 2015 – as well as county and federal funds. T2050, under the direction of the Citizens Transportation Commission, enables improved bus service, technical improvements related to local transportation and upgrades of tariff media. Visit us at phoenix.gov/publictransit or follow us on Twitter for the latest news on Time Bus and Light Rail Tracking, Valley Metro App, Phoenix Public Transit, Bus, Light Rail, T2050, Transportation 2050, Transit OptionsThis press release was created by City of Phoenix. The views expressed here are your own.
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