A Galway data and machine learning company for the public transport sector has expanded its operations into North America through a partnership with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
CitySwift was one of the three winners of the MTA and Partnership for New York City's Transit Tech Lab's COVID-19 Response Challenge to implemented technological solutions across the MTA network and the Port Authority for New York and New Jersey.
More than 200 applicants worldwide entered the challenge, and the selected companies took part in a 12-week proof of concept trial, during which CitySwift fully integrated with and augmented the MTA's existing transport data sources.
CitySwift said it would work closely with the MTA and Partnership for New York City to improve passenger experience and reduce carbon emissions through public transport network optimisation and passenger capacity predictions during a one-year pilot programme.
The company's data and technology platform will be used to predict bus capacities and run times; optimise timetables; and track, monitor and automatically report network performances across the boroughs of Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens.
In Association with
In Brooklyn, CitySwift's AI-based capacity prediction technology will be used to share accurate stop-by-stop capacity levels with bus users for every vehicle, and for specific dates and times up to two weeks in advance.
"CitySwift are incredibly excited to be helping the MTA embrace data in smart, innovative ways to improve bus services and support COVID-19 recovery in New York City," CitySwift co-founder and CEO Brian O'Rourke said.
"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."
Mr O'Rourke added that data had "the power to transform the economics of the bus sector" and attract passengers by delivering "frequent, fast, reliable services" and a more affordable, sustainable alternative to private car travel.
Since launching in 2016, CitySwift worked with UK transport companies such as National Express, the Go-Ahead Group -- which operates some Dublin Bus routes -- and Transport for Wales, and it has raised €3.5 million from backers, including Enterprise Ireland.
(Photo: CitySwift founder Brian O'Rourke and Alan Farrelly. Pic: Beachut PR)
