Suffolk Transit riders in Suffolk County, N.Y., can plan, pay and navigate their transit trips on their phone thanks to a new partnership between Suffolk County, Moovit and Masabi aimed at enhancing public transportation.
Launched on June 29, Suffolk County Transit riders can seamlessly purchase and validate transit tickets – all from within the free Moovit app. Additionally, Suffolk County Transit riders are able to view real-time passenger count information in the Moovit app so that riders can see how empty or full their bus is, before boarding.
“We are actively working to embrace cutting-edge transportation tools that better connect our residents and create a 21st Century transportation network,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “Riders will now be able to purchase their tickets and view real-time bus information all from the ease of their smartphone. This integration of Suffolk Transit with Moovit will continue to better inform our customers about transit choices throughout the County, while mobile ticketing will allow for a quicker and easier rider experience.”
Suffolk County Transit is encouraging riders to both plan and pay for their transit trips using the Moovit app, which has helped users conveniently and confidently get around 3,400 cities across 112 countries. With contactless fare payment, powered by Masabi’s Justride SDK, that can be visually inspected or scanned at validation units, both riders and transit agency employees no longer need to handle cash, cards, or interact with ticketing infrastructure, enabling them to maintain social distancing.
Once a user launches the Moovit app, inputs their destination and selects their transportation route, Moovit will:
- Display the total cost of the trip: Whether it’s a single bus trip, or transferring lines, Moovit will calculate and display the total, and breakdown, fare of the trip
- Enable in-app ticket purchasing: Moovit users will be able to purchase transit tickets directly in the app, which means they no longer need to fumble for change or stand in line to purchase tickets or top-up passes
- Provide a unique QR code for ticket validation: Moovit will display a digital ticket and QR code that can be visually inspected or scanned at validation machines
Suffolk County Transit is also collaborating with Moovit on real-time passenger count information. Moovit will now display Available Seats, Standing Room Only or Crowded throughout the app to help users make educated decisions about when to ride and ultimately feel safer using public transportation.
Moovit’s free iOS, Android, and Web app combines official information from transit agencies as well as crowdsourced information to calculate the best route for each journey with urban mobility options like the bus or train. Moovit’s multimodal journey planning engine, coupled with mobile ticketing, will enable riders to easily plan, pay, and ride.
Moovit also provides users real-time arrival information so they know exactly when their bus or train is arriving, a Live Directions feature with Get Off Alerts to provide step-by-step guidance for the entire journey, and Service Alerts so they can avoid disruptions on usual lines and plan their journey accordingly. Moovit also incorporates accessibility features, empowering people across the disability spectrum to use public transportation with more assurance. The app is optimized with screen reading features for low vision users, including TalkBack/VoiceOver capabilities, identifies wheelchair-accessible routes and stations, and calculates step-free routes. Moovit’s app is also designed with optimized menus and buttons for those with hand-motor disabilities.
“We are excited to work with Suffolk County Transit and Masabi to offer riders a convenient, efficient and safer way to pay for transit,” said Yovav Meydad, Moovit’s Chief Growth and Marketing Officer. “We are also pleased to display real-time crowding information in the Moovit app. Knowing in advance if there will be a seat on the bus gives Suffolk County locals the knowledge they need to make decisions they are comfortable with when riding mass transit.”
“We have worked with Suffolk County Transit since 2018 and we are thrilled to welcome our partner Moovit to help further increase the discoverability and accessibility of public transit options for riders in the area,” said Brian Zanghi, CEO at Masabi. “Now more than ever, we’re searching for and selecting options via mobile, and world-renowned services such as Moovit are integral to helping us shape a future where public transit plays a central role in a convenient and COVID-safe way.”
