WRTA launches new app, online help for riders

YOUNGSTOWN

Officials with Mahoning County’s public transportation system say new technology will make riding the bus easier than ever.

Western Reserve Transit Authority launched a new system today that allows users to track buses in real time, plan trips in advance, and receive text and email notifications about bus arrivals, among other tools.

The features are available for Android and iOS devices via a free mobile app called myStop and on wrtaonline.com under “track my bus.” Video tutorials on using the app also are posted on the transit authority’s website.

“It’s to give current riders, and hopefully new riders, a good experience while they’re riding,” said Judy Rodriguez, WRTA transportation director.

Implementation of the new technology has been in the works for about a year. The $1.2 million cost of the Avail Technologies system was 80 percent covered by federal grants, Rodriguez said.

Read more about the new system in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.