Hi-Tech touch for local bus: City bus information at fingertips

• Chalo app starts functioning from today

Mangaluru: If you travel in Mangaluru using city buses, henceforth you don’t need to enquire about the bus timings from someone else. You can now view live information regarding bus routes and their timings. For the first time, Mangaluru city buses have created an app named ‘Chalo’ for its passengers and it will be functional from February 25^th.

Even as the city is taking its steps to become a Smart City, the city buses plying in the city are also changing into smart buses. The app has been created by the district bus owner’s association in collaboration with the Chalo institution. From Feb 25^th onwards, comprehensive information regarding the buses will be available in the app and through the app, buses will come even closer to the passenger in a busy city like Mangaluru. Currently, there are 340 city buses plying in the city, and as the first phase of the app, 320 buses have already been fixed with GPS technology.

How will the app function?

‘Chalo’ app has live bus tracking facility and based on the mobile’s GPS system, definite information regarding the bus can be found on the mobile. Through the app, the user can tap the map and locate where the bus is? What time will it reach the bus stop, at what speed is the driver driving the bus and information regarding any change in the bus route. Besides, the app also gives information regarding the time required to reach from one place to another and the upcoming bus stop.

Because of this, hours of waiting for the bus at the bus stop will be averted. In this app, there is opportunity to plan a trip. For example, to travel from PVS to Talapady, if Talapady is entered in the trip planner, the planner will give information regarding the closest bus stop at Talapady, at what time the bus will come, the fastest route and ticket pricing will be disclosed.

Suggestions can be provided in the comment box

The app has a comment box through which the passengers can leave comments regarding the bus facility in the city.  Besides, suggestions can be provided regarding any new plans to improve travelling through bus.

SOS system during emergency

Chalo app also has the tech to send an SOS to family or friend in case of an emergency. In the SOS option, mobile number of a family member or a friend needs to be entered. In case of an emergency, a message will be sent to the aforementioned mobile number.

App information for passengers

Chalo app is available on Google play store for android users. Besides, a 15 member team will travel around in the city informing the public of the application. They will be distributing pamphlets giving information on how to download, use the app and more. At some places, awareness regarding the app will spread using video presentation.

Passenger friendly app

“As the first step to make the transport system passenger friendly, tracking system will be available through the city bus app. Since the buses are fixed with GPS system, the problems faced by the passengers will be solved. Already, Chalo app is being successfully used in the transport system at Bhopal. There is faith that the app will function effectively in the city as well,” said Sasikanth Senthil, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner

Convenient for passengers

“We are introducing Chalo app to make it convenient for the passengers travelling in city buses. Even if there are any drawbacks in the app, they will be rectified immediately,” informed Dilraj Alva, president of city bus owner’s association

Special Report