Mangaluru: ‘Chalo’ City Bus App Launched, DC Bats for Improved Public Transport
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, February 25, 2019: Dakshina Kannada Bus Operators Association (DKBOA) has launched ‘Chalo App’, a free mobile app which enables commuters to keep track of city buses. Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil formally launched the app at a function held at Hotel Ocean Pearl on Monday, February 25. SCP Uma Prashanth, ARTO John Misquith, MCC Commissioner Mohammed Nazeer and Dilraj Alva, President of DKBOA were present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Sasikanth Senthil said that problems like traffic density and vehicular air pollution can be effectively addressed if public transport is given more prominence in the future. “Development should be for the public and not for the cars. If public transport provides similar comforts as cars, the public will definitely support it,” he said. “The city should compete in providing better services to the public. People of this region are very capable. We can definitely set a very good model to other cities in providing good public transport.”
DCP Uma Prashanth observed that maximum number of private buses is a unique feature of this region. In this context, the move to introduce city bus tracking app is to be welcomed, as it will ensure greater transparency and accountability in the system, she said.
MCC Commissioner Mohammed Nazeer suggested that along with introducing the app, electronic display boards should be put up in bus stands to show the information available in the apps. This will help many people who don’t use mobile phones, he said.
ARTO John Misquith said the app should include provision for reporting misbehaviour by city bus crew.
Dilraj Alva, President of DKBOA, gave a vote of thanks. Saujanya Hegde anchored the event.
ABOUT CHALO APP
Chalo is a free mobile app that is already available in 13 cities of India. Mangaluru is the 14th city to adopt this App. It has been developed by Zophop Technologies Private Limited, a technology-driven transport solutions company. The app has been developed specifically for travellers who rely on buses, trains and other forms of public transport to get around their city.
Chalo integrates all the private buses in Mangaluru into a single live-tracking and journey planner tool for the city. Residents of Mangaluru can experience the Chalo app right away by downloading it free from the Google Play Store. “With the launch of the app, the days of waiting at the bus stop for the commuters are over since they can check the live location and arrival time of their bus on their mobiles and save as much as 40 minutes of waiting time each day,” says a media release given by the promoters of app.
The Chalo app allows commuters in Mangaluru to:
●Know the live arrival time of their bus so they plan their travel accordingly
●Track the live GPS position of their bus on a map
●Plan their trip door-to-door using a multi-modal trip planner
●Find the cheapest and fastest trip options, including all the bus route options to their destination
●Locate bus stops closest to them
The media statement further states that this smart solution by Chalo is slated to revolutionize public transport and make it easy for people from all walks of life to utilise public transport. With this launch, Mangaluru joins an elite rank of global smart cities that offer technology-enabled public transport services for their residents. The app will not only help unlock valuable time for the people of Mangaluru, but by increasing usage of public transport it will reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions, and also reduce overcrowding at bus stops which are big challenges in a commercial centre like Mangaluru.