TriMet partners with startup to build ticket apps
PORTLAND, Ore. - TriMet riders will soon be able to buy tickets with their smartphones.
Portland's transit organization is partnering with local software startup GlobeSherpa to launch mobile ticket applications for both the iPhone and Android-based cell phones. It will be called TransitSherpa.
"We're delighted to be working with TriMet to power their new mobile ticketing service," Nat Parker, CEO of GlobeSherpa, said in a news release. "Smartphone applications that leverage open data have transformed the transit sector. We're taking that innovation even further by allowing users to buy tickets, with no exact change or ticket vending machines required."
Testing will begin in the next few months and a beta is expected by January. At that point, TriMet will recruit some riders to test the applications. A full public launch is expected by spring.
The TransitSherpa applications will be free for download and then users would register a debit or credit card with the secure system.
This is the second big change TriMet has made in the past month. Just a few weeks ago TriMet switched to 'go anywhere' fares to simplify its ticket system. TriMet is also hoping to implement a smart card system sometime in the future. Other transit agencies in the U.S. already use electronic fares and TriMet is looking closely at how it all works.
I think it's a good idea, and it will make it pretty effortless. Not painless though. Do they have an app for smelly people or screaming brats yet? That would be a goldmine!
Trimet is a waste of money. Â Lets get rid of it.
@sortbait yeah, who needs public transport. Portland roads are already so traffic free they could easily handle another 500,000 cars.
 @Ramsesthegreat  @sortbait Trimet doesnt carry more than 500,000 people a day.  try about 3000.  Proves trimet is a waste of money.
@sortbait yeah, that's why daily ridership during August was 316,050 on busses during weekdays and Max ridership was 131,500. Sure looks like it adds up to around 500,000 to me. http://trimet.org/pdfs/publications/performance-statistics/2012-08.pdf
 @Ramsesthegreat  @sortbait Yeah, everyone who bitches about Trimet would be absolutely *horrified* at the result of all those riders using cars on the road.
You can order your ticket and dial 9-1-1 with one hand.
The machines at Gresham City Hall seldom work, so this is a welcome change.
I am glad to see this, but I think it took too long to happen. Â Innovate or die.
I'm quite thrilled about this. Just today I watched as half a dozen people struggled to find a way to pay at the 82nd stop. Didn't have cash, and the card machine wasn't working. There are 3 machines on 122nd between the east and westbound platforms. Generally only 1 out of  3 work. I've given up on calling and reporting them. Â
 @AmyWho I used to live over there and used that stop almost daily. The ticket machines rarely work if ever. Then you have to deal with the two guys selling drugs EVERY morning... It's not a very good experience for me.