UTA provides a new 'instant' touch for schedules

It's all in the wrist. Starting this week, owners of Palm- and pocket PC-based devices will be able to access bus and TRAX schedules with the tap of a stylus.

The Utah Transit Authority will release version 1.0 of its new transit schedule software for Palm-based portables, with the pocket PC version to follow in two weeks.

Officials with UTA say this is just the first of several high-tech ideas being thrown around at UTA to make transit travel more convenient.

"We try to be on the leading edge of things," said intelligent-systems manager Clair Fiet. Although the beta version of "UTA on the Go!" has been available for quite some time, version 1.0 will include route maps and update alerts when new route schedules are available for download. By choosing from a list of routes, users can click on a route name and get a list of all stop locations and times. A fare list is also included.

The software is available on the UTA Web site at www.utabus.com and takes up about 200 kilobytes of memory.

Fiet said other features for mobile devices may be on the way, such as partnerships with companies and newspapers to offer news and services through infrared kiosks. The idea was tested during the 2002 Winter Games, but Fiet said the effort fell flat after the project failed to gain enough advertising revenue. Fiet said UTA is eager to enter partnerships with various publications to offer PDA versions, but many licensing and legal issues need to be resolved.

Currently UTA is outfitting all buses with global positioning systems, which will help track bus locations.

"If a bus is near a TRAX station, the driver will be sent a text alert, telling the bus to wait for passengers," Fiet said. "This is to help customers so when they get dropped off, they don't see the bus drive away."

Eventually, Fiet said UTA hopes to integrate GPS with their Web site so riders can get an estimated time of arrival on their bus or train.

TRAX trains are already outfitted with GPS devices, said UTA spokeswoman Marti Money. The system is tied in to the TRAX station message signs, which tell riders how many minutes until the next train.

Money said the idea of a UTA "smart card," which would allow passengers to simply walk on board a bus or train with sensors acknowledging payment, has been discussed, but the cost is pretty steep.

"We've studied smart-fare systems, and they cost over $7 million," Money said. "I mean, we want to improve technology but we have to keep in mind that we are spending tax dollars."

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E-MAIL: gfattah@desnews.com

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