A screenshot of the Spartan App's transportation menu taken on July 1, 2015.
Developers are underway on several real-time CATA bussing applications. CATA released public data for developers in March and at least 12 individuals have since signed a contract to receive the GTFS-RT feed, said CATA director of marketing Laurie Robison. The data allows for GPS tracking of where the busses’ current location is.
Robison said Guidesmob (Spartan App), Microsoft HERE, Zervaas Enterprises (TransitTimes+) and Apple Maps are among those who have signed the contract.
Spartan App currently features CATA bus stop locations and CEO of Guidesmob and MSU alumnus, Dan Kerbel, said the real-time location data is expected to be included in the fall.
The Microsoft HERE, TransitTimes+ and Apple Maps applications currently include CATA bus routes, bus stops and scheduled arrival times.
ASMSU showed its support for the data release at the CATA board of directors' meeting in February and has been representing the student body’s want for an application since 2011.
“We spent a lot of time last year trying to set it up,” said ASMSU president Dominique Clemons. “Our hope is that the app will make it easier to know when the bus is coming, especially in the winter so students do not have to wait outside for such long periods of time.”
Robison said some of the individuals who signed a contract to receive the data are students and municipalities, adding that CATA does not monitor developer activity or compensate developers for applications.
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