Israelis are not only clean tech startup masters but also – increasingly – big fans of public transportation, which is why Moovit makes such good sense. A dynamic new mobile app that tracks buses, planes, trains and other forms of transport in 30 cities across the globe, this user-generated platform makes getting from point A to point B a snap. It’s like the Waze of the public transportation world, and gives current bus and train schedules, while letting users notify each other if the air conditioning is on or if the bus is too crowded.
“Public transport currently ignores the best source of data we have: the public,” Moovit CEO Nir Erez told Reuters. “Moovit is redefining the way we create and access public transport information by giving the power back to the public,” he adds.
This is achieved by consolidating a host of real-time data published by public transportation providers, such as schedules, GPS tracking data, as well as information published anonymously by users.
With roughly 90 percent accuracy, Moovit helps users find the best route and a host of other helpful information such as how many seats are available, whether a particular bus or train has WiFi access and if so, whether it is functioning properly.
And it’s incredibly easy to use. Instead of having to input data, users need only keep the app open while riding, and the app collects times and locations to help other users know whether or not that particular vehicle is on schedule. About 650,000 people have downloaded the app, which is free and which will always be free, Moovit’s marketing manager Amy Wyron told Green Prophet.
User participation does enhance the app’s functionality however. If a particular route is riddled with trouble, Moovit users can spare their peers the same discomfort by sending in a report.
Launched in Tel Aviv in 2012 by a trio of renowned tech experts, the app has since spread to 30 cities across the globe with new locations added on a regular basis. It is currently available in New York City, Los Angeles, Rome, Boston, Washington, Israeli cities and dozens more.
:: Moovit
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
