Officials at the MBTA are making more progress on a new mobile app that would make buying commuter rail tickets a breeze.
The agency reached out to commuter rail riders riders again yesterday to see how many of them would be interested in participating in the first mini-pilot of the application.
The survey, which is available by clicking here, is aimed at Greenbush and Old Colony Line commuters, and asks how many days they ride the rail, what times they usually commute, what station is closest to their homes, and where they typically buy their tickets.
About 100 Greenbush and Old Colony Line commuters will be selected to have the first chance to use the application on-board the trains, according to MBTA Director of Innovation Josh Robin.
The mini-pilot will formally launch in early September 2012 with customer information sessions rolling out over the following weeks.
During mid-July, the T hosted three user testing sessions to get feedback
on the technology as developers continue to refine the application.
About 60 smartphone users participated in separate hour-long focus
groups that helped T officials get the input on what it needs to perfect
the technology, which will allow customers to buy the passes using an
iPhone, Android or Blackberry.
After getting feedback, the mobile ticketing app team decided to offer the technology to ferry riders as well.
“It’s coming to commuter boats this fall. It’s exciting news for boat customers,” Robin said.
The MBTA and transit mobile ticketing pioneer, Masabi US Ltd, announced in April that they were partnering on the project.
