METRO Unveils Updated Trip App For METRO Customers

HOUSTON, TX — There's an updated app for METRO bus riders that helps guide all riders to the right stop using Bluetooth technology. On Dec. 13, METRO officials announced the launch of the updated METRO TRIP App with enhanced technology that provides riders with specific directions.

The METRO Trip app is a personalized navigation tool that can and does guide the rider to exactly where they need to be to catch their bus.

Once activated and in use, the app is designed to vibrate when the user reaches the location. The app also helps lessen the confusion for inexperienced riders, or where there are multiple routes.

"This ambitious application is truly a METRO original," METRO Board Chair Carrin Patman said Thursday. "Transit providers must embrace integrating and even pioneering technology to improve mobility. That is exactly what we have here today."

METRO's initially concept was to develop a system that catered specifically to their visually impaired customers, but the project was able to be successfully broadened to be appealing and useful to all METRO customers.

"My Stop Technology removes barriers for everyone. It is for everyone. I expect this dynamic innovation will continue to evolve and result in additional customer-oriented enhancements," said METRO Board Member Lex Frieden, who worked closely with staff and a customer focus group on the project.

The system is designed to track buses on their routes every 30 seconds, at least. METRO officials said the accuracy of the program may vary and depends on changes in traffic patterns, detours or traffic accidents.

The closer the bus is to your stop, the more accurate the prediction. Generally the service is accurate to within a couple of minutes.

To prepare for the unveiling of the METRO TRIP App, METRO officials installed more than 9,200 Bluetooth beacons at various METRO stops in Harris County.

"This type of forward-thinking innovation that improves the customer experience is exactly what we should all expect from METRO," said METRO President & CEO Tom Lambert.

Riders who already have the METRO TRIP App need to update the application to have access to the enhancement. Those who do not have it can download the Ride METRO App from the Google Play or Apple App Stores and launch the METRO TRIP App.

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