Fredericton Transit has gotten a much-needed upgrade in the form of ReadyPass, a new app designed to help passengers navigate the sometimes unreliable transit system.
ReadyPass was designed by a company of the same name, which was founded by three University of New Brunswick students. They wanted to make an app that addressed the problems from which Fredericton’s transit system suffers.
ReadyPass CEO Alex Kall said they had students in mind when designing the app, and even used them as test subjects early on.
“We know that in Fredericton students are such a core piece of the transit ridership, so we wanted to get students on board from the get go,” said Kall.
ReadyPass has a variety of features to simplify students’ busing experience. Instead of standing outside in the rain waiting for the bus, they can track it in real time and run outside as it approaches.
If students uncertain of how to get somewhere, they can tell ReadyPass where they want to go and when they want to leave. The app will show what bus to take, where to get off at, and how long your ride will be.
Third-year STU student Rachel Slipp rides the bus three times a week, to get to and from work. She has been using ReadyPass for the past month, and said it has made it easier to rely on the transit system.
“I take the bus to my workplace downtown,” said Slipp. “I work three mornings a week, and it’s right before I have afternoon classes, so it’s really important for me to catch the bus to make it to work on time, and catch it so I can make it back for my classes.”
ReadyPass is working on an electronic ticketing system they hope to introduce into their app. The system will allow passengers to purchase a ticket on their phone, or use Interac Flash to pay as they board the bus.
The team has also begun talks with several other cities with similar transit problems, but Kall said it is too early in the process to give details.
Slipp said while there are few problems with the app, she just wishes it had been released earlier.
“Like most apps it’s a work in progress,” said Slipp. “I know sometimes you’ll go to check where the bus is and it won’t be on there at all, and that’s kind of frustrating, but I know that with time it will probably get better.”
