A private bus service launched this week in Boston that decides service based on crowdsourced data on where and when people need to travel.
Katherin Q. Seelye reports on a 'pop up' bus service called Bridj that chooses routes from data collected from "Google Earth, Facebook, Foursquare, Twitter, LinkedIn, the census, municipal records and other sources" to decide where people are and where they need to go.
"The brainchild of Matthew George, a 23-year-old entrepreneur, Bridj uses algorithms to make the bus routes 'smarter.' As more people use it, it will adjust the routes accordingly," writes Seeyle.
The article includes the take of both the Boston Taxi Drivers Association and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority on the innovative transit service. As for the latter's take: "The transportation authority sees Bridj at this fledgling stage as a complement to the T. 'This is not a competitive situation at all,' said Joseph Pesaturo, the authority spokesman."
For the record, however, city bus fare is $1.50, subway fare is $2, and Bridj fare is $6.
"Mr. George is in talks to start Bridj in several other cities, which he declined to identify, by the end of summer."
FULL STORY: To Lure Bostonians, New ‘Pop-Up’ Bus Service Learns Riders’ Rhythms
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)