“Aucklanders can now TXT MSG to catch public transport”

March 5 2002

Auckland public transport has gone high-tech with the launch of a Rideline service allowing mobile phone users to check public transport services by text messaging.

The service will allow users of public transport to access information about bus, ferry and train times and routes for 30c by dialling 3666.

Chairwoman of the Passenger Transport Committee, Catherine Harland, says the new service is extremely convenient for people who are out and about and want to know when to catch the next bus home or elsewhere.

“Public transport users will have the information they need right at their fingertips, wherever they are at any time,” she says.

Councillor Harland believes the cost and convenience of the Rideline to Mobile service, established with Transfund assistance, will make it particularly attractive for young people.

“Text messaging is cheaper than making a call from your cellphone. You might be a student sitting in a lecture theatre and you’re now able to check when the next bus leaves.”

“There are lots of different ways of using the service either identifying where you are and where you want to go to, or simply sending off the route number of your bus service,” says Cr Harland.

“It’s an exciting new development that will make it so much easier to use public transport and is leading the way with technology in New Zealand.”

A critical element of the new 24-hour service is the Rideline website - www.rideline.co.nz - where visitors can trial the service for free and practice using it with a text message emulator. The website also provides information for users of WAP-enabled phones who will be able to access detailed information and mini-maps by book-marking the URL – wap.rideline.co.nz.

The service is available to both Vodafone and Telecom mobile customers and, like the Rideline website, offers another way of accessing public transport information beyond the
8 pm closing time of the Rideline phone service.

Ends

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