AUSTIN, Texas, March 9, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RideScout, the leader in real-time aggregated ground transportation services, today announced the availability of a new version of their popular mobile app that disrupts the status quo in the mass transit ecosystem. In addition to RideScout's powerful GPS-based search capabilities that enable Austin users to easily access local transit information and real-time departures, the enhanced RideScout app allows for the convenient in-app purchase of bus and rail fares for Capital Metro. The new RideScout app, version 1.8.21, is available immediately for iOS and Android mobile devices in the Apple iTunes Store and Google Play.
In preparation for the increased demand on Austin's mass transit system by the thousands of South by Southwest (SXSW) festival attendees, RideScout has partnered with Capital Metro and Bytemark Inc., a leading platform provider of mobile ticketing and commerce solutions for the mass transit industry, to enhance product functionality by leveraging Bytemark's open platform in the new RideScout app. Now, SXSW visitors and everyday Austin users can easily and efficiently plan their transportation routes and purchase transit tickets from the convenience of the RideScout platform.
In real-time, RideScout serves up the best bus or rail line options based on a user's circumstances and will automatically indicate which daily or monthly pass level — local, premium or commuter — is required for the trip. The public-private partnership between RideScout, Bytemark Inc. and Capital Metro coincides with Capital Metro's new real time transit data initiative, providing actual departure times for buses and trains according to GPS devices inside the vehicles.
"We are pleased that the result of our public-private partnership between RideScout, Bytemark Inc. and Capital Metro provides Austin locals and visitors with transit planning information, real-time transit departure times and convenient mobile fare purchases in one app, making travel around Austin easier and more reliable than ever," said Joseph Kopser, CEO and co-founder of RideScout. "The new in-app payment integration signals that Capital Metro is dedicated to providing the best experience possible for new and seasoned transit riders, and SXSW is an exciting opportunity to showcase these powerful new capabilities and predictive technologies."
To access the new mobile fare feature, users will need to pull up the transit options around them or perform a search in the RideScout app for a specific destination and tap into the details view for Capital Metro. By simply clicking "Buy Daily Pass," they will be redirected to the Capital Metro app to purchase the appropriate pass for their trip.
"Riders want evolving technology options that make their trip planning easier—through our innovative app-to-app partnership with RideScout we continue pushing the envelope to provide added convenience and reliability," said Capital Metro President/CEO Linda S. Watson. "This type of transit app integration places Austin on the map, once again."
RideScout has also developed a new "Switch Modes" feature that allows users to find other nearby transportation options including taxi, rideshare and biking if plans change or public transportation is delayed. This powerful new feature will also be immediately available.
"The city of Austin was recently ranked as the top U.S. city for technology-enabled transportation and has long been a pioneer in forward-thinking new transit services," said Micah Bergdale, CEO of Bytemark Inc. "The combination of RideScout's innovative mobile app and Capital Metro's real-time transit information is testament to the flexibility of our open mobile ticketing and mobile payments platform and how seamlessly we can interoperate with third-party developers and other mass transit systems. This is another significant advancement for Austin commuters, and we are pleased to be a part of this initiative."
To view a summary of this announcement in video form, please visit: YOUTUBE LINK.
About RideScout
RideScout is a technology platform that aggregates transportation options on its free iOS and Android apps and, utilizing predictive technology, helps users get around cities faster and smarter. RideScout shows users transit, taxi, ride share, car share, bike share, carpool, walking, biking, driving and parking in one view, with real-time transit departures and traffic integration. The company is based in Austin, Texas with satellite offices in Washington, DC, San Francisco and Chicago. RideScout is a company within moovel GmbH, a subsidiary of Daimler AG. Please visit www.ridescout.com for more information.
About Bytemark Inc.
A New York City startup with offices in the UK, Canada and Australia, Bytemark Inc. provides mobile ticketing and payment solutions for transit, attractions, and events. In January 2012, Bytemark Inc. launched the first mobile ticketing app for a major U.S. transit agency with the release of the NY Waterway app. Bytemark Inc. is focused on providing its partners with the tools they need to navigate the rapidly evolving mobile ticketing industry. Transit in the U.S. has been underserved by the expansion of mobile technology, and Bytemark Inc. is working to bridge the gap between the transit industry and America's growing technology sector. For more information, visit www.bytemark.co.
About Capital Metro
Capital Metro connects people, jobs and communities by providing high-quality and sustainable transportation choices to Central Texans. Capital Metro provides enough rides each weekday onboard its buses, trains, paratransit and vanpool vehicles to fill Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium and Disch-Falk Field combined. As the regional transportation leader, Capital Metro is driving progress and investing in the region's mobility with high-capacity transit solutions like MetroRapid, which moves more people at less cost and with less impact to the environment. Capital Metro is a financially sound and fiscally responsible agency, winning the highest rating for financial transparency from the Texas Comptroller for the fourth straight year. Visit www.capmetro.org for more information.