Magazine serving the bus and rail transit & motorcoach operations since 1904
Issue link: https://metromag.epubxp.com/i/97486
ADVERTISEMENT 1 2 Pride ride Shoot a bird into the sky, have a quick brain workout, share an interesting article with friends���technology enables us to broaden our smart phone applications on the go. L aunched in 2010, MTR Mobile is one the most popular utility smart phone apps in Hong Kong and is available for both iOS and Android devices. Developed by Hong Kong based MTR Corporation which on an average weekday carries 4.9 million passengers on its rail and bus from one part of the bustling city to another, the app provides useful information on train services and station facilities. A ���Journey Planner��� feature enables searches for the shortest traveling routes with interchange information, all literally at users��� ���ngertips. As many passengers bury their heads in their smart phones on their rides, what mobile applications have to offer should go beyond passing idle time, and enhance users��� experience. This new development is in line with MTR���s quest to ���care for life���s journeys���, where the service provider peeks into commuters��� mind to look for ways to improve the app. This was done through the MTR App Talent Quest app designing contest held in June. The emphasis on innovation has sparked the public���s interest and imagination, and they have come up with some of the most inventive and bold ideas to meet the stated criteria and turn imagination into reality. ���Invisible Passenger��� stands out from around one hundred submissions with its meaningful and fun concepts. The winning designer Mr Louis Lo has won the Grand Prize of HK$100,000 (US$13,000). Through a role play, the user boards a train where a ���care meter��� keeps track of the number of helping hands he or she lends. The app helps eliminate improper behaviour by passengers and reminds them that sometimes, such seemingly trivial acts as giving up seats to people in need can lead to a more pleasant ride for all concerned. ���The Talent Quest is a great opportunity for people to tell us about their unique, unusual or ingenious ideas on what information or service would enhance the MTR experience for our passengers. This ties in directly to our new Listening and Responding programme in which we keep listening to passenger���s feedback and improving our services proactively.��� commented Mr Jay Walder, CEO of MTR Corporation. ���This contest presented an opportunity and a challenge for experienced and aspiring software developers alike. Digital communications are becoming a very important part of our modern lifestyle, so it's great to see major corporations like MTR taking the lead and encouraging the community to be innovative and creative through such a contest.��� Mr Stephen Lau, 3 President of Hong Kong Computer Society, co-partner of the app contest, said. Thanking the public for their enthusiastic response to the contest, the company hopes to tap into lots of ideas submitted by the many tech savvy contestants for MTR Mobile���s future updates and to reinforce the interaction with its passengers. As MTR Mobile���s download hits 900,000, two of the other apps that enlighten passengers��� journeys are Next Train and MTR Tourist are also gaining in popularity. They provide passengers with real-time train arrivals information and guide visitors step-by-step around town. Building on the success of the three existing apps, Traf���c News was launched in September to provide timely information when Tropical Cyclones, serious service disruptions or special festive periods lead to changes to normally scheduled train service, as part of the MTR���s commitment to provide a quality ridership experience. 1. Invisible Passenger 2. Mr. Jay Walder, CEO of MTR Corporation Hong Kong, is impressed with the quality of the many outstanding entries. 3. Winners gather at the award presentation ceremony to share the joy of their fruitful results.