METRO RTA is pleased to announce a new COVID-19 measure that will help transit riders avoid crowded buses as the pandemic continues. Through METRO’s collaboration with Moovit, an Intel company, a leading Mobility as a Service (MaaS) solutions provider and creator of the #1 urban mobility app, riders can now view real-time crowding information in the Moovit app and see how empty or full their bus is, before they board.
These days, many public transit riders strive to properly maintain social distance once on board. Moovit’s 2020 Global Public Transport Report, based on big data analyzed from tens of millions of trip requests, with user research in 104 cities across 28 countries, found that due to COVID-19, 33% of public transit riders around the world want to know how crowded their next bus is before they board. This information helps riders feel more comfortable riding public transportation.
To solve this gap, Moovit is rolling out real-time crowding information with METRO RTA so riders can make educated decisions and feel safer riding mass transportation. Moovit will now display Available Seats, Standing Room Only, or Crowded in the Itinerary, Live Directions, Nearby Stations, Station Details, Line Details and Favorite Lines screens.
“As we continue navigating this pandemic, real-time crowding information is another valuable tool we can provide to help our passengers feel safe and comfortable while riding,” said METRO CEO Dawn Distler. “For those with carts or strollers, this will also provide peace of mind knowing when there’s extra space onboard for a comfortable trip and help them make travel decisions that work best for them.”
“Real-time crowding information eliminates another layer of uncertainty from public transit, especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Yovav Meydad, Moovit’s Chief Growth and Marketing Officer. “Knowing in advance if there will be a seat on the METRO RTA bus gives riders of Akron [and Summit County] the knowledge they need to make decisions that they are comfortable with when riding mass transit. This feature is also useful for parents with strollers who may need a place to sit, during or after the pandemic.”
Moovit is available to download on Google Play and the App Store.