Ministerial Statement: New mobile tech makes travel easier

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
23/07/2010

New mobile tech makes travel easier

Commuters will find it easier to access public transport information on the go through Australia's most comprehensive mobile public transport website.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan unveiled two new mobile phone compatible websites from TransLink and QR in response to customer feedback.

Ms Nolan said more than 100,000 people accessed TransLink's main website for public transport information every month via their mobile phone.

"Both mobile websites have been designed for commuters who have web-enabled mobile phones and want easy-to-read public transport information at their fingertips," Ms Nolan said.

"Both sites are free and easy to use so commuters on the go have all the information they need to travel on trains, buses and river services."

Ms Nolan said the TransLink mobile website included an improved mobile journey planner, timetables, service updates and disruptions, fares, information on go card top up locations, favourite links and a feedback section.

"One of the best features is that you can save regular journeys, timetables or even service changes - so you don't have to retype your home and work address each time you travel," Ms Nolan said.

"The new website is very easy to navigate, minimising clicks and allowing commuters to connect with TransLink via Twitter, under the contact us section."

Ms Nolan said both the new TransLink and Queensland Rail mobile website worked on most web enabled mobile phones made in the last five years.

"The Queensland Rail mobile-friendly website is being trialled and includes links to the TransLink journey planner as well as news, events and lost property," she said.

"Mapping and positioning technology will be incorporated into future upgrades of the TransLink mobile site.

"We believe a new group of go card users joining the network in coming weeks from the big go card giveaway will benefit from this new service for customers, showing where to top up their go card."

Ms Nolan said TransLink had also made its main website more accessible for multicultural communities by translating important travel information.

"Comprehensive travel information is now available in Arabic, Chinese, French, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Serbian, Spanish and Vietnamese at the bottom of each web page of the TransLink site," she said.

"Information about go card will also be available soon. This is all part of our community service obligations in making travel easy for all people in the community."

Access the mobile TransLink website at: mobile.translink.com.au or visit translink.com.au

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[ozbob]

QueenslandRail mobile --> http://m.queenslandrail.com.au/

[longboi]

Looking good  Now we just need Google Transit up and running...

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane mX 23rd July 2010 page 2

Don't move without it

[SteelPan]

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
23/07/2010

New mobile tech makes travel easier

Commuters will find it easier to access public transport information on the go through Australia's most comprehensive mobile public transport website.....

All very well Minister - BUT, when it's say 10pm at night and I'm standing at a bus stop - trying to figure out where the hell the 9.40pm bus is - do I stay - do I make alternate arrangements etc - will this new system quickly and without hassle give me VERY IMPORTANT information like REAL TIME bus info???

Because for ohhh, the last 5yrs or so (probably longer) Translink Information have not given this information out!!  But wait they can tell you "the bus timetable" - like the timetable I've got in my pocket, because I'm standing here waiting for a now overdue bus - that timetable!!!!

Really, REALLY annoying  

Pack of IDIOTS! (you watch, year in-year out - Nothing will change!)

[Derwan]

I'm impressed (so far).  Sure they've got a long way to go (i.e. mapping, positioning and real-time info as Steelpan mentioned), but the new mobile site is a step forward.  An official iPhone app would be nice!!

Here are a couple of screen shots.  (Saving Journeys and the service status.)

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