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MTA to evaluate whether Cityswift products can improve rider experience and reduce carbon emissions through public transit network optimization and ridership predictions
CitySwift, the Ireland-based leader in data and machine learning for the public transit sector, is expanding its operations to North America in partnership with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), North America’s largest public transit operator.
Following a successful proof of concept, during which CitySwift fully integrated with and augmented MTA’s existing transit data sources, MTA has extended its relationship with CitySwift to predict bus ridership and run times; optimize timetables; and track, monitor and automatically report network performance across Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. In Brooklyn, the pilot will demonstrate whether CitySwift’s AI-driven ridership prediction technology can also be used to provide riders with accurate occupancy predictions, bus stop by bus stop (based on historical data), for every vehicle on any day or time, and in advance. This will enable riders to make an informed, safe and confident return to public transit.
Discussing the project, our CEO Brian O’Rourke said: “CitySwift are incredibly excited to be helping the MTA embrace data in smart, innovative ways to improve bus services and support Covid recovery in New York City. As new mobility patterns emerge, there is a lot to learn from big data about changing trends and how best to plan and shape bus services for the future.
Data has the power to transform the economics of the bus sector and help attract a new generation of passengers. It’s the key to delivering frequent, fast, reliable services that meet the needs of the modern bus user and offer an attractive, affordable and sustainable alternative to the private car. It will enable the MTA to offer faster journey times, and optimise frequency by intelligently matching vehicle supply with passenger demand.”
Michael Wojnar, Senior Advisor for Innovation and Policy at MTA, said,“The team at New York City Transit has been impressed by CitySwift’s technology to date, and we’re excited to be moving forward with a year-long pilot, during which its potential can really be explored. I’m pleased to see the Transit Tech Lab’s COVID-19 Challenge delivering on its goals to modernize public transit and encourage New Yorkers to return to the system
This year-long initiative is part of the Transit Tech Lab accelerator program to support Covid recovery. The pandemic introduced unprecedented challenges for public transit operators and as New York recovers and rebuilds, it is vital to reimagine public transit to address these new challenges. Transit Tech Lab’s COVID-19 Response Challenge called for technologies and approaches to help make New York's public transit system safer, healthier and more responsive to customer and workforce needs.
