Valley Metro Introduces Mobile App Offering Riders Multimodal Journey Planning
07 July 2021, Phoenix, Arizona
Plan and Track app allows metro Phoenix riders to plan trips, calculate travel durations, and see real-time location of Valley Metro buses, trains, and the upcoming Tempe Streetcar
Phoenix, Arizona, July 7, 2021 — Valley Metro today introduced its mobile app, offering riders an intuitive and interactive tool to plan and track their journeys across the Phoenix metro region. The “Valley Metro: Plan and Track” app also includes a convenient way for the agency to notify riders about upcoming events, construction, and other service-related announcements.
Yesterday’s release of the app and its enhanced multimodal trip planning and live mapping capabilities will be followed by mobile ticketing in 2022, allowing riders to plan, book, and pay for their travel in one powerful and easy-to-use app. The app is free and available for both iOS and Android users.
Valley Metro: Plan and Track is the first deliverable of a Fare Collection System Modernization being built and deployed for the city of Phoenix and Valley Metro by global payment systems provider Vix Technology. The project moves Valley Metro from a primarily cash- and paper-based ticketing system to a digital platform that will accept QR codes and smartcards. The system will also offer a robust retail network where riders that prefer to pay with cash can load cash at hundreds of convenient locations throughout the Valley of the Sun. Once complete, the new platform will provide passengers with frictionless regional travel on bus, light rail, and the future Tempe Streetcar.
“The introduction of an app that makes riding the bus and light rail easier will be a game changer for our riders,” Scott Smith, Valley Metro Chief Executive Officer, said. “Our partnership with Vix and the city of Phoenix will provide many benefits for our customers now and into the future.”
The modernized payment system is a key component of the city of Phoenix’s Transportation 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan and Valley Metro’s Strategic Plan, both expanding regional investment for bus, light rail, and the new Tempe Streetcar. Passengers will benefit from unified ticketing across these transit modes, alongside the variety of planned fare choice options to serve frequent and disadvantaged riders. Ease of payment with contactless mobile and smart cards offer greater customer choice and convenience and promise to decrease boarding time and speed travel time.
“The launch of Valley Metro: Plan and Track is an important milestone for our partnership with the city of Phoenix and Valley Metro,” Gary Googins, Vix Technology General Manager, Americas, said. “Vix is revolutionizing the fare payment system to provide compelling economic, environmental, and social benefits to the Phoenix metro region and its transit ridership for many years to come.”
The mobile app was designed by Vix and its partner Unwire. The app aggregates a range of mobility services from traditional mass transit to micromobility, paratransit, rideshare, and other multimodal options.
“The launch of Valley Metro: Plan and Track will make it easier for the people of Phoenix metro region to utilize a wide range of public transit options and to increase mobility across the region. Unwire is delighted to be part of this forward-thinking solution, which will also have a positive impact on a more sustainable and inclusive transit offering in Phoenix,” Jesper Thor Rasmussen, Unwire Chief Executive Officer, said.
In addition to the mobile app, Vix will also provide a range of equipment and services through the fare system modernization project, including card readers on every bus and rail platform, and new, state-of-the-art ticket vending machines at every light rail station. Additionally, the Valley Metro system will be complemented with a robust retail network where cash-dependent customers can load their accounts at hundreds of convenient locations, alongside a locally sited call center to provide customer support.
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About Valley Metro
Valley Metro exists to connect communities and enhance lives each day by providing eco-friendly public transit options in metro Phoenix. In Fiscal Year 2020, total ridership for the regional bus and 28-mile light rail system was 53 million passengers. Five high capacity transit extensions are in planning or under construction that will create a 50-mile system by 2030. Valley Metro also offers alternative transportation programs including paratransit services for seniors and people with disabilities, commuter vanpools, online carpool matching, bus trip mapping, bicycle safety and telework assistance. Two Boards of Directors from 18 local cities and towns and the county set the policy direction for the agency with the intent of advancing the regional public transit system in Maricopa County. Stay up-to-date by following us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter or by visiting valleymetro.org.
About Phoenix Public Transit
The Phoenix Public Transit Department provides Phoenix residents a variety of transit options and is the largest member of the Valley Metro regional transit system. Services range from local and commuter buses to alternative transportation for senior citizens and special needs. The city of Phoenix funds transit, and other transportation improvements, through Transportation 2050 (T2050) – a local sales tax approved by Phoenix voters in 2015 – as well as county and federal funds. T2050 allows for enhanced bus service, transit-related technology improvements and fare media upgrades under the leadership of the Citizens Transportation Commission. Visit us at phoenix.gov/publictransit or follow us on Twitter for the latest news.
About Unwire
Unwire is an innovative Danish company founded in 2001, specializing in mobile mobility and payment solutions. Located in Copenhagen, Denmark, Unwire has a team of 25 highly skilled and dedicated employees. Over the last two decades, Unwire has implemented high-quality mobile solutions with leading transportation companies, merchants and financial institutions worldwide. Unwire’s mission is to enable public transit agencies and cities to achieve their full potential, reach their goals to become more sustainable, and evolve with their customers’ needs. Unwire’s Mobility Platform aggregates a wide range of mobility services from traditional mass transit to micromobility, paratransit, rideshare and other multimodal options. It enables users to seamlessly plan, book, and pay for their multimodal journeys, making public transit an easy choice. Unwire is a member of ICM Mobility Group, a group of companies with a portfolio of solutions deployed in over 100 cities around the world, making more efficient journeys and payments for everyone. To learn more, visit www.icmmobility.com. For more information about Unwire, see www.unwire.com. Contact: hi@unwire.com
About Vix
Our passion is making mobility seamless to provide a better customer journey. Vix has been designing, delivering, operating, and maintaining some of the world’s leading transit ticketing systems for over 30 years. With a customer-first culture and a legacy of innovation Vix makes public transport more accessible for riders and more cost-effective for operators by reducing payment friction. Vix Pulse is an account-based ticketing platform featuring an industry-leading fare engine that supports flexible fare policies, multiple transit modes, and stacking fare caps. Vix Whisper is a contactless EMV service that eliminates the need for ticket vending machines and fareboxes and provides lower per-transaction costs compared to printed tickets, cards, and mobile tickets. Vix is a member of ICM Mobility Group. For more information about Vix, visit www.vixtechnology.com