Trip announcer app leads the way for public transport passengers

Commuters will be able to use their smartphone to receive personal audio announcements and track their public transport journey stop-by-stop, following the upgrade of the MyTransLink app.

Minister for Transport Stirling Hinchliffe said the release of the new real-time trip announcer feature delivers on the Palaszczuk Government’s election commitment to put more information in the palm of passengers’ hands and make South East Queensland and Cairns public transport services more accessible.

“This new upgrade to the MyTransLink app means passengers on all modes of transport can now track their trips stop-by-stop and switch on audible announcements of upcoming stops and stations — all in real-time,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“This announcement delivers on our election commitment to drive the roll-out of real-time passenger information on our public transport network and maximise the ways people with a disability or vision impairment are able to use this technology.

“The upgrade is a game-changer for public transport passengers who have a vision impairment, but it will also benefit anyone doesn’t know when to press the bell to get off.

“With real-time information in the palm of your hand you’ll always know where you are — especially if you have a vision impairment or are travelling on unfamiliar services or at night.”

With the upgrade, travellers can follow their journey on their device with a map and on-screen list of stops and listen to where their bus, train, tram or ferry is on the network.

“Once the passenger is on-board, they will be able to follow their current location on a map while the announcer feature notifies them what stop they are approaching along the route. If they want to listen to their route they can also use their earphones to hear the announcements,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“Passengers can also still set an alarm on the app to alert them when they are within 400 metres of their stop.”

Minister for Disability Services Coralee O'Rourke said disability advocacy representatives provided invaluable feedback and suggestions regarding the upgrade.

“Advocacy groups helped us to trial the new app features to better assist people with vision impairments and I would like to thank them for working with the department to innovate and continue to assist Queenslanders using our public transport system,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“This upgrade gives more confidence and independence to passengers as they will know where they are on the network at all times.”

The free MyTransLink app has been a hit with commuters with more than 350,000 downloads and is used by an average of 60,000 travellers a week. The app allows travellers to save their favourite services and stops as well as be notified of any disruptions or changes to them.

To download the app to your device, visit translink.com.au/mytranslink/

Media Contact:  0475 950 772 (Hinchliffe) |  0408 317 992 (O’Rourke)