FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Transit App Alerts Riders to Bus Arrivals and Assists with Trip Planning     

BALTIMORE, MD (JUNE 19, 2018) –The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) today announced a partnership with Transit, a mobile app that provides real-time transit information, simple trip planning, step-by-step navigation, and more. Transit riders will now be able to receive highly accurate location and arrival information for every CityLink, LocalLink and Express BusLink bus in the BaltimoreLink fleet. The app is free and available on both Apple and Android devices. 

“This innovative tool delivers on the Hogan Administration’s commitment to customer service, and provides our MDOT MTA customers an overall better transit experience,” said MDOT Secretary Pete K. Rahn.

Passengers will be able to use the app to view each bus in real time and will have a greater choice in determining which bus to take and when to expect its arrival. Riders can also select the GO feature to enable voice alerts and push notifications for their selected route.  Real-time bus tracking information is also available by calling the MDOT MTA Transit Information Call Center at 410.539.5000 and via text messaging by texting the stop number to MTAMD (68263). 

“Our partnership with Transit enhances our BaltimoreLink system by providing the best real-time transit experience for our riders,” said MDOT MTA Administrator Kevin Quinn. “With pinpoint scheduling accuracy at their fingertips, riders won’t have to leave their workplace or home early to wait for the bus. This enhanced feature truly will transform the bus-riding experience for our customers enabling them to better manage their daily schedules.”

Transit is a public transit app and mapping service based in Canada. The app is functional in over 175 cities around the world and offers users real-time data for multiple modes of transportation where available, including bus and rail.

In January 2018, the Maryland Board of Public Works approved a $1.043 million contract for Swiftly, Inc., a San Francisco-based computer software firm, to install Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking in each of MDOT MTA’s 753 local buses to coordinate with the Transit app.

MDOT MTA is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States. MDOT MTA operates LocalLink and commuter buses, Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink, Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) Train service and a comprehensive Mobility (paratransit) system. MDOT MTA’s goal is to provide safe, efficient and reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. To learn more, visit mdot.maryland.gov or mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/mtamaryland and follow us on Twitter @mtamaryland.

Media Contact:
Veronica Battisti                                                  
Office: 410-767-8748                       
Cell: 410-598-4168
vbattisti@mta.maryland.gov     
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