Never miss a connection or forget your departure time again – ASEAG Mobil now automatically reminds users of upcoming trips or changes. With the latest version of the underlying IVU.realtime.app, IVU Traffic Technologies AG has added new features to the Android app, including a virtual trip companion that helps passengers throughout their journey.
This new feature makes ASEAG Mobil a digital travel companion in the Aachen city region. ASEAG customers can use it to navigate from door to door. When the user chooses a connection, the app informs them if they need to get off or change during their journey. A live display highlights the next stop. The app automatically adapts navigation to the actual traffic situation. If it detects that there is disruption or that a connection cannot be made as planned, it issues a visual and acoustic warning and also suggests an alternative route on request.
The function is made possible by the new version of IVU.realtime.app, on which apps in London, Mantua and other cities are also based. ASEAG is the first transport company to use the trip companion. In combination with the background system IVU.realtime, the app displays the departures for more than 2,000 ASEAG bus stops in real time, knows the position of all buses in the network and is aware of delays. In addition, IVU.realtime.app supports travel planning by displaying all stops in the surrounding area based on the GPS location, a bus-stop search and a favourites function for preferred stops. ASEAG Mobil is available for iOS, Android and Windows Phone. The digital trip companion is only included in the Android version at the moment.
“With the new trip companion, our customers can relax even more on our buses,” said Michael Carmincke, managing director of ASEAG. “They don't have to fret about missing their stop. If something does go wrong and the bus is late, the app will give them the help they need straight away.” Dik Lokhorst, the responsible member of the IVU Traffic Technologies AG Management Board, added: “These days, smartphone users expect more from an app than just passive information. Active assistance is a key component of customer-friendly public transport.”
