Public transport is the bane of most peoples’ lives, despite so many people still having to rely on it. Even in this day and age there are still so many people around the world having to catch a bus or a train, in order to get around. However, there are now some startups who are aiming to change all of that. With new technology, and the influx of apps available on smartphones, there are some companies who are trying to change the world of public transportation. Here are the 5 to watch out for…
Moovit
If you have to rely on a bus or train in order to get around then you’re going to want to download Moovit. This clever app makes sure that you have all of the information you need, right at your fingertips. First, they have live maps which will let you know where the nearest bus stops and train stations are. You can then click on that bus stop or train station to find out when the next public transport option is going to turn up. You can also plan your trips from A to B, if you want to know how long it is going to take to get somewhere and which public transportation options you’re going to need to take.
The ride mode is one of our favorite options, as it gives you a dynamic ETA to your destination at the click of the ‘play’ button. If you regularly take the same routes from home to work then you can also set these up, for an even easier way to plan your trips. This is also handy if you need to know if there are any delays on your usual route! So far Moovit is available in UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland and Singapore. It also supports all of the big name transport operators, for buses, trains and sometimes even trams. If you want to upgrade your public transportation experience then this is a must-have app in your collection. Best of all it is completely free, so you don’t have to worry about spending money and can save yourself a whole load of time and energy. You will never look at public transport in the same way, once you have downloaded and started using the Moovit app.
Get Taxi
If you would prefer not to bother with trains and buses, then there are other public transportation options available. Get Taxi is a unique way to get around three of the biggest cities in the world; London, New York and Moscow. You can also use the Get Taxi app in Israel. The premise is quite simple: download the app, enter your destination and be given a fixed price or quote for your chosen taxi ride. Once you’re happy with how much you have been quoted simply wait for your licensed taxi to arrive. You can even track where your taxi is and how long it will take to get to you, in real time. Jump in the taxi, enjoy your ride, and then jump out. It will be paid for using your credit card securely through the app, so you don’t need to worry about carrying cash either. They don’t even charge you to use your credit card, like some companies do.
Get Taxi has become one of the most used apps globally for work and corporate taxi rides and was also voted App of the Year by Time Out Magazine. The best thing about Get Taxi is that you can travel in style, without worrying about buses and trains, then arrive at your destination without any worries. This app also means you don’t have to wait around in taxi queues or call taxi firms, second-guessing how much your ride is going to cost. If you have the kind of money to take taxis everywhere then you have to download this app. Get Taxi is completely free and is available for iOS and Android phones, so you’ll never be far from a taxi!
Uber
If you’re not too keen on Get Taxi but like the idea, then perhaps Uber will appeal to you instead. Uber has gained worldwide recognition over the past few months, for making public transportation easier than ever. Not only does it tick all of the same boxes as Get Taxi, but it is actually available in over 40 countries as well. As soon as you have requested a ride you are promised to be picked up within minutes; you will also be able to track your taxi as soon as you have booked it. You can compare the rates for different vehicles and even get connected with your personal driver, so that you can feel more comfortable about your choices.
Once you have accepted a quote your taxi will arrive in no time. As soon as you have arrived at your destination Uber will e-mail you a receipt and use your account to take payment. You can set up a credit card for your account balance or link it with your Paypal, giving you more options than some of the other taxi service apps. This means you will never have to worry about having the right change on you, ever again! Uber can also provide you with a map of your trip, live updates on drivers, and details of the vehicle should you ever need them. They have thought of everything it seems! Again this app is free and available on iOS and Android, just like Get Taxi. Whichever of the two taxi based apps you chose, you can be sure that public transportation will never be as dull or as low-class as it has been in the past.
Lyft
If you like the idea of travelling everywhere by car, but can’t really afford to pay for a taxi, then check out the app Lyft instead. Essentially, Lyft provides ride sharing programs that will help keep the costs down and are also better for the environment. Request a ride by clicking on a button and one of the local, community drivers can be there to pick you up when you need it. Find someone who travels the same route as you to work, someone who is going to the grocery store at the same time, or someone who just enjoys driving around in their car. You can then share the ride with them and make friends along the way. All you have to do is specify where you are heading (and when) and one of their background-checked drivers will come and pick you up; for a lot less than the price of a taxi ride. The bigger a community you create, the more people to share the cost.
All Lyft drivers have to pass background and DMV checks, so you always know you’re in safe hands too. Passengers can rate the drivers that pick them up and this gives you even more peace of mind when it comes to getting a lift with them. You can then pay via your phone using a range of different payment options, whilst saving yourself a fortune as well. This carpool service is only really targeted at commuters at the moment, based in cities in the US, but we can imagine this app is going to grow into a huge part of daily lives. More and more people are considering sharing cars in order to save the environment and save on pennies, and Lyft makes this so simple.
Transit
Back to the apps that are making public transportation easier and quicker, only this time they seem to have everything covered. Transit can give you a list of all the available transportation options in your area and can even help you plan a different route. Running out of time and need to book a taxi? This app is also linked into Uber so you can do just that. Would rather bike it to work? It is also linked into a bike sharing app, so you can find the one closest to you. You can find out when your next subway or bus is arriving, including real time predictions, plan trips from A to B, find out exactly where your bus or train is, favorite and schedule your most used routes, and a whole lot more. Transit is rapidly becoming one of the most popular public transportation apps on the market.
Currently it works in most of the large cities in America and some cities in Europe, but Transit have big plans to expand. If you’re not covered by the Moovit app then you’ll most likely be covered by Transit instead. We love the fact that this app ties in with some of the other popular methods of transport, including Uber for taxis, and bike share stations which can be located on the map. Regardless of how you want to get to work, or whatever stands in your way, Transit makes things easy. You’ll never be able to use the excuse of, “I missed my bus” again! This app is available for iOS and Android and is, of course, free.
