Dubai transport services to benefit from open data

Source: RTA. The Wojhati app will incorporate open data.

The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced an upgrade of the Wojhati app to include open data to serve public transport riders (buses, metro, trams and waterbuses) as well as various government entities with effect from 1 October 2016.

Adel Shakri, Director of Transportation Systems, RTA’s Public Transport Agency said, “Beefing up the Wojhati app with the Open Data System is in response to the decision of our government endorsing the broadcasting and sharing of data in the Emirate of Dubai with the aim of developing a new generation of integrated smart services. The upgrade would be of benefit to all public transport riders by enabling them direct and instant access to all information about any transit mode they select in terms of journeys, timetables and routes. All government departments can also benefit from this service as it helps them provide innovative and smart services in their own activities, and they can even contribute ideas to revamp the app through this system."

Shakri noted that the Wojhati app was used by 657,961 users in the first half of 2016 compared to 435,353 users during the same period last year. The number of app downloads reached 93,854 downloads during the first six months of 2016, against 63,319 downloads recorded during the same period in 2015, he shared.

“(The) Wojhati app uses satellite coordinates to pinpoint the position of the customer once the app is started in the user’s smartphone, enabling instant access to all information needed. Tourists have also been taken into consideration in the design of the app as it offers them guidance about how to move from their current position to their intended destinations. The app can also be used offline as it saves the routes of trips in the phone and keeps them ready for use any time," he added.