DRPT, RIPTA launch app campaigns to boost transit planning

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) have each launched campaigns promoting their updated transit app. 

DRPT 

The DRPT says its new Connecting Commuters transit campaign is an initiative designed to make commuting easier, more affordable and more convenient for Virginia’s workforce with the ConnectingVA app. This app offers a one-stop resource that helps commuters find and plan their transportation options to include bus, rail, carpools, vanpools and bikeshare. DRPT notes the app is designed to simplify the daily commute, helping Virginians to save money, reduce stress and explore flexible travel options. 
 
Key features of the ConnectingVA app:  

• Access information on transit, carpool, vanpool and biking options to choose the most efficient routes.  
• Track trips to calculate savings and travel impact.  
• Earn rewards by logging trips to earn points redeemable for discounts, coupons and more. New users receive a 1,000-point bonus upon signup.
• The campaign also promotes the Virginia Trip Planner, which helps commuters map out multimodal transportation options for efficient and flexible travel. 
   
  “For many Virginians, commuting is a major part of daily life,” highlighted DRPT Director Tiffany Robinson.  “The Connecting Commuters campaign is about giving people better choices—whether that means finding a more affordable ride, reducing commute time, or choosing a more convenient route. This is about making commutes work better for people and for Virginia." 

To encourage participation, DRPT is holding a contest from April 1 to April 30. Commuters who record their trips in the ConnectingVA app during this period will be entered for a chance to win a $500 gift card. 

RIPTA 

RIPTA has rebranded its ‘Commuter Resource RI’ app as ‘Drive Less RI’ with a fresh look to help make sustainable commuting easier. 

Drive Less RI is a trip-planning and logging app where users can earn rewards by recording their use of public transportation, carpooling, vanpooling, walking, biking or telecommuting. The app is available for iOS and Android devices, as well as desktop users. 

RIPTA says its Drive Less RI app makes it easy to plan a trip using green commuting options including bus, bike, rail and rideshare. Drive Less RI helps commuters save time and money, reduce traffic congestion, decrease stress and improve air quality. 

With a refreshed brand, RIPTA aims to reach additional audiences with Drive Less RI and adapt to changing demographics. Existing users do not need to take any action; the update will happen automatically. 

The app can automatically log each trip from point A to B and the mode of transportation used while keeping data completely private. To get started, users download the Drive Less RI app. Users can easily view their points earned per trip and redeem rewards online or at a participating store.  

Drive Less RI offers: 

• Ride matching: RIPTA offers carpool matching, connecting commuters with riders going to the same destination. 
• Vanpool assistance: RIPTA partners with Commute with Enterprise, enabling commuters to lease a seven- to 15-passenger van or SUV to share a ride to work. The total cost, including insurance, maintenance, fuel and tolls, is divided among the riders. RIPTA provides a monthly $100 subsidy to each qualified commuter. 
• Park & Rides: Riders can park their cars for free so they can transfer to a carpool, vanpool or transit.  
• Users can track metrics such as gallons of gas saved, reduced vehicle miles traveled (VMT), reduced CO2 emissions, money saved, parking spots saved and more.