If you’re not talking about traffic daily, you’re not a true Washingtonian. (How ‘bout that big Africa Summit closing a bunch of DC streets this week?) So an entrepreneur has a transit alert app in the works.
Commuting.IO joins other apps (eg. TransitScreen and RideScout) in helping people master getting from point A to point B. Founder Thomas Woo left his app development contracting job two months ago to launch the web app. It allows commuters to get traffic and Metro alerts via SMS, email, or phone. A preview app will launch in two months and a full release in three to four. iOs, Android, and Windows Phone versions will also come. He gave social media a small preview when the Silver Line opened its doors last month.
Thomas, a 2007 UVA computer science grad, says the app pulls from WMATA data showing service delays and track times for Metro riders. It also gets data from a traffic data provider’s API. Thomas is developing an algorithm that looks at roads and advises users on alternate routes. The app will also eventually integrate the bus systems and bike sharing. He tells us the basic app will be free and a then a subscription service (less than $10/month) will have more robust features like integrating with calendars (so users could get alerts on traffic for a meeting on their schedule).
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