Have you ever attempted to catch one of the Syracuse University Centro shuttles but had no idea when the next bus closest to you arrives? have you ever gotten stuck at South Campus after a night of partying because you missed the last bus? (it leaves at 2:50pm, I speak from experience), or have you ever started waiting for a bus, then given up, only to watch the bus ride right pass you the minute you decide it isn't worth the wait? [Freshmen] do you even know where the closest bus stop to you is? if the answer to more than one of these questions was yes, you're going to benefit from my idea.
My idea is to create a bus tracking app called "Ready...Set...Ride". It's inspired by what used to be one of my most used apps "Ready...Set...Ride" which uses GPS tracking to giver users accurate and real-time bus arrival predictions of buses within half a mile of them. The app also provides route and stop location maps.
While Centro has paper schedules and electronic schedules uploaded on their website, it isn't as easy, accurate or technologically up to date as just opening an application and checking how many more minutes until the next bus closest to you arrives. Using the same technology as Next Bus DC, GPS tackers will be installed onto all Centro Buses and transposed through the app. Students will be able to enable location services on their mobile devices and utilize the application. In addition, students will be able to get transit directions from one location to another using the app.
"Ready...Set...Ride" will eliminate the wait. Instead of camping out for a bus, students can leave their dorms with just enough time without having to worry about missing the bus or waiting for too long.
Oh, and there will be an alert each time a bus is running it's last route. No need to worry about getting stuck on South Campus. With the help of Ready...Set...Ride, you will be able to leave in the nick of time!
I like this idea, though particularly for SU, because this type of app already exists in many forms. Off the top of my head I can think of Google maps and Hopstop which both have very accurate transit directions/times in major cities. I'd advise you to use these applications as a point of reference. It is a good idea for SU though. I know what you mean about the unreliable schedules! The trackers on the buses adds another dimension to the idea that makes it pretty great as well.
ReplyDeleteTo go off of what Caroline said, there are many programs similar to yours; however, I think it's a great idea to introduce it to the SU community. If you set up a meeting with Centro - Syracuse Transit Services I bet you could definitely turn this idea into a reality.
ReplyDeleteAs a freshman, I think it is a great idea!! Cause I don't know much about SU and SU' bus system, I have given up to ride bus a few times.
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