Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and Bytemark to launch BusPlus Mobile Ticketing App Pilot
New York & BOSTON– Thursday, January 22, 2015 – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and Bytemark, today announced a limited pilot launch of the State’s BusPlus mobile ticketing program. The BusPlus program is a partnership between MassDOT and private bus operators offering new regional transportation services to increase intercity and commuter transportation options available across the Commonwealth and New England. The pilot will include internal testing and limited public testing. Operators participating in the pilot launch include Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway Co., DATTCO, Coach Company, Bloom’s Bus Lines, Boston Express, and Yankee Line. The mobile pilot is scheduled to launch on Monday January 26, 2015. This will be a six-week pilot that includes internal operator testing and limited public testing.
The BusPlus mobile application and online ticketing system will utilize Bytemark’s patented technology enabling riders to purchase and store transit passes on their mobile devices. To use passes, riders simply show their smartphone screen to bus operators or scan the on-screen barcode upon boarding. The app will be available initially for Apple iOS and Android with a Windows Phone version coming at a later date. The application will offer schedules, a trip planner and the latest service advisories. This will be the first mobile ticketing solution for the private bus industry in the country, where tickets can be purchased from multiple operators in one application.
Micah Bergdale, CEO of Bytemark, said, “We are excited for the pilot launch of this innovative ticketing project with MassDOT and our partners. Since Bytemark’s inception 4 years ago, our vision has been to help transit better connect people and regions, we feel like the BusPlus project is a culmination of that vision. We could not be happier with our partnership with MassDOT and look forward to the overall success of the BusPlus Program.”
“BusPlus service provides convenient and comfortable transportation options for customers, and the addition of mobile ticketing will continue to enhance the customer experience,” said MassDOT Acting Secretary and CEO Frank DePaola.
“Mobile ticketing has been proven successful and convenient for customers across the range of transportation services we provide, and I am pleased to see this technology solution applied to regional bus services,” said MBTA General Manager and MassDOT Rail & Transit Administrator Dr. Beverly Scott.
“Updating our ticketing procedure has been a long-term request by our customers. The ticketing system currently being created by Bytemark under the BusPlus program should provide the tools to enhance our customer’s travel experience,” stated Chris Anzuoni, Vice President of Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway Co, “Plymouth and Brockton is pleased to participate in the testing and launch of this program.”
The pilot will begin with a 2-week internal testing phase. Limited public testing will begin after the internal test and during the last 4-weeks.
About Bytemark
A New York City startup with offices in Chicago and the UK, Bytemark provides advanced mobile ticketing and payment solutions for transit, attractions, and events. Bytemark’s core product is an easy-to-use mobile ticketing system that requires little to no infrastructure investment. The Bytemark platform includes smartphone applications, back office management modules, and open APIs that provide an integrated mobile commerce experience. Bytemark is focused on providing its partners with the tools they need to navigate the rapidly evolving mobile ticketing industry. Transit in the U.S. has been underserved by the expansion of mobile technology, and Bytemark is working to bridge the gap between the transit industry and America’s growing technology sector. For more information, visit www.Bytemark.co.
About MassDOT
In 2009, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) was created to unify the state’s various transportation agencies. MassDOT now includes the Highway division, the MBTA and Mass Transit, Aeronautics, and the Registry of Motor Vehicles. MassDOT is committed to providing a safe and reliable transportation system to all those who travel in the Commonwealth and works to deliver excellent customer service. MassDOT has been nationally recognized for its innovative approach to transportation, including the Accelerated Bridge Program, the “Where’s My Bus and Train?” apps and “Fast 14” work. For more information, visit MassDOT at our website:www.mass.gov/massdot blog: www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on twitter atwww.twitter.com/massdot and Facebook at www.facebook.com/massdotinfo.