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New cell phone program gives bus riders a hand
The device alerts riders when to tug on the cord so the bus doesn't miss their stop.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- University of South Florida researchers have a new solution to help people with special needs get around on city buses.
They've come up with a cell phone program to help the riders stay on track and make sure they're getting off where they need to. About two blocks before the rider's stop, the phone will tell them to get ready. It'll also warn them to pull the cord so the bus will stop at the right place.
The program seeks to keep riders from being stranded.
"You might as well put them on the moon," says HART travel trainer Mark Sheppard. "Cause they don't know where they are. They could be lost for the day."
Some of the cell phones vibrate, and others play a recorded message. Hearing impaired riders will get a text message telling them to "pull the cord."
The phones don't have particularly advanced technology - they're just regular cell phones with GPS embedded. But they're linked to a computer program that keeps tabs on the rider's location.
If a rider gets off in the wrong place, the phone will alert their caregivers. Then plans can be made to get them back on track and en route to their destination.
"When I'm lost or need some help, I can use the cell phone," says bus rider Leo Rossiter.
Grants funded the $200,000 program. The phones are in the pilot stage now, but the general public should be able to sign up sometime next year.
There will be no cost for the program; it will just be downloaded into the rider's personal cell phone.
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