BWAP Text for Safety Project Launched with LTFRB

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) signed an agreement with the BPO Workers Association of the Philippines (BWAP) and EACOMM Corporation to help ensure the safety of the more than 800,000 BPO workers in the country, most of which work during the night. The BWAP Text for Safety Project aims to provide a simple solution in ensuring commuter safety by providing BPO workers a venue to store their commuting history through a centralized database. The worker need only text the license number of the vehicle he/she is riding in to 0927 BWAP 933 (0927 2927 933) along with his/her name. If the worker is mistreated, or was involved in an accident or criminal act, he/she need only request back the information logged in the system and BWAP will help report the incident to the LTFRB or to law enforcement authorities if need be. For workers who have an android smartphone, more detailed complaints or concerns may be lodged with Trip Barker‘s “Bark It!” feature which allows users to report on accidents, complain against erring mass transit drivers, etc. Complaints are posted in community.tripbarker.com and serious issues are forwarded to LTFRB, DOTC, and other government agencies. “As mandated by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), we are to ensure the convenience and safety of the people when they travel the metropolis, hence this agreement is very timely and highly relevant to our road safety campaign,” LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez said. The Text for Safety Project was formally launched on April 30, 2014 in anticipation of Labor Day 2014. Coverage of the event in the news: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/04/30/14/ltfrb-bpo-workers-group-ink-road-safety-pact http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/598562/bpo-workers-woes-spur-new-drive-vs-abusive-puv-drivers http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/nation/31351-ltfrb-bpo-workers-sign-commuter-safety-accord http://www.rappler.com/business/industries/174-outsourcing/56851-ltfrb-bpo-road-safety

Trip Barker Android App Available in the Play Store

Trip Barker is a community-based Trip Planner for Mass Transit Systems. Users can report and share weather, traffic, and events in real-time with other users. Currently available for Metro Manila, Philippines Only.  Key features include a trip logger, trip planner, traffic and weather reports, points of interest, events, and incident reporting. The app is currently on Open Alpha. Please report any issues, bugs, or feature requests to info@tripbarker.com.

Trip Barker Mass Transit Commuting Planner is now on Open Alpha

We are happy to announce that www.tripbarker.com is now on Open Alpha. Trip Barker is a Mass Transit Trip Planning Website currently available for Metro Manila, Philippines that not only offers basic trip planning but weather, traffic, points of interest, and events information as well. The site’s main features are now functional and we are inviting users to try it out. However, it is still under heavy development, so please expect some bugs and issues which we hope you’ll let us know of by posting it in http://community.tripbarker.com or by emailing us at info@tripbarker.com. For More Information on Trip Barker’s Alpha Release Features, Please visit the Trip Barker Blog: http://blog.tripbarker.com/trip-barker-open-alpha/

Metro Manila Train Schedules now available in Google Maps

Manila, Philippines – This August, users of Google Maps (http://maps.google.com) will now be able to use the “Get Directions” Button to plan trips using Metro Manila’s four train lines: The LRT1, LRT2, MRT3, and the PNR Commuter Train. Simply type the origin and destination points in the maps search bar and select the train icon and Google Maps will show you the nearest train station, where to transfer trains, how long the journey will take and how much it will cost you. This new feature of Google Maps is anticipated to increase ridership of public trains by providing more information on alternatives to driving by car or taking the taxi. For example, traveling from Marikina to Alabang at first glance is a long, arduous and expensive journey if you will be commuting. By using Google Maps to plan the trip, it turns out by taking the train (LRT2->MRT3->PNR) it would take just over an hour to make the trip in rush hour traffic for only Php 34.00! Data collection and formatting services was provided by EACOMM Corporation, a web and software development company based in Quezon City, who are currently working on the next stages of the project which entails the inclusion of bus and ferry schedules to Google Maps. This will create a much more comprehensive coverage of Metro Manila’s public transport system not only within the metropolis but to and from neighbouring cities and towns as well. DOWNLOAD THIS POST IN PDF: Metro Manila Train Schedules now available in Google Maps  

PhilippineTransit.com

EACOMM Corporation has just launched PhilippineTransit.com. This website currently provides trip planning, schedules, and station information for all four train systems operating in Metro Manila (MRT3, LRT1, LRT2 and PNR). However, the site is envisioned to be a comprehensive trip/travel planning site that will eventually include bus, ferries and other modes of transportation across the country. The site is using the Google Transit Feed Specification to generate the feed data and a modified Dijkstra’s Algorithm for Trip Planning. The site is currently in live Beta Testing so expect new features to come online  in the coming weeks.