LSU’s transit system has a high-tech new upgrade.
William Waters, general manager of First Transit, said the late night transit system is transitioning from a call-in system to an app reservation system.
First Transit is utilizing TransLoc routers to provide a ride request feature for the late night transit service, Waters said. Students can access the feature via a rider icon at the bottom of the TransLoc map.
Students will select the icon and quickly set up a rider account before requesting a ride.
“When they make the reservation, it automatically dispatches the closest driver to them that’s available to pick them up,” Waters said.
Mounted dashboard tablets in the transit bus relay the student’s GPS coordinates to the transit driver. The dashboard tablet will also automatically alert drivers to ride requests along their route with similar drop-off locations, he said.
The app system should reduce wait times during high call-in periods and make the system more efficient, Waters said.
Dispatchers will still be available to assist students who call in, despite the new feature.
“If there are people out there that don’t have access to a smartphone or have access to the app, the dispatcher will make that trip for them,” Waters said.
Student awareness of the app is growing slowly said. Data from Jan. 18 showed 20 percent of riders requested rides through the app feature.
He said First Transit’s goal is to have the majority of students registered through the app system within 30 days. First Transit and LSU are working to inform students of the new feature through several promotional efforts.
Transit drivers are distributing fliers to riders, and First Transit is working with TransLoc to develop a press release through the app, Waters said.
The app is the only new feature scheduled for the transit system, but the service is always open to suggestions from passengers.
Marketing and economics freshman Lauren Accardo said she uses the transit system weekly. Though she has yet to use the app, she said it should improve the service and relieve riders’ frustrations.
“One time I was here at the Union for an hour,” Accardo said. “It was pouring down raining and we called transit five times. After an hour my cousin and I just walked back from the Union to Kirby Smith.”
Accardo said she plans to switch to the app system. She suggested First Transit and LSU use the email system to raise awareness of the app among underclassmen.
“I feel like as long as they express that it’s happening and people know there’s an app for it, it’ll help,” Accardo said. “If there’s more publicity about it that would be beneficial.”