Passenger-Facing Tools: Web Interfaces

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At Swiftly, agencies that purchase Transitime will have multiple options to display these predictions on web interfaces. Swiftly offers an out-of-the-box option, our Passenger Prediction Map (PPM), which you can embed or link to any website. Some agencies have other ways they want to display their predictions on their own websites or third-party web interfaces - via our open and flexible API you can integrate into any other web interface - learn more about the Swiftly API

Video Overview of Web Interfaces

For a transcription of this video please watch it using the native web browser

Passenger Prediction Map

The PPM is Swiftly's only proprietary tool that we offer agencies to display predictions. In most cases, we encourage users to explore our open API's to integrate into the tools that passengers are already using. But, we also want to offer agencies an easy-to-use option to quickly get predictions onto their current interfaces - that is the PPM.

Our PPM is available as soon as predictions are available and is a link to a map with your routes, stops, and current vehicle locations. A passenger can look for their route and stop to pull up current predictions, and the PPM can be linked or embedded directly into your agency's website. 

Passenger Prediction Map image: computer and cell phone

The PPM is accessible via computer or mobile interfaces. The mobile interface does not include the map and only provides predictions via stop and route information. Also, a vehicle must be assigned to a route to provide predictions and locations to the PPM. 

Swiftly is responsible for integrating the data and providing the link to an agency. If you would like access to your PPM please contact support@goswift.ly

How to Use the Passenger Predictions Map

The PPM is as simple as 1, 2, 3!

  1. Select a route from the left-side drop-down menu
  2. Select a route direction
  3. Select a desired stop from the drop-down menu

Alsoyou can click a stop location on the map to reveal the next predicted arrivals.

When viewing predicted arrivals, you may be able to view the corresponding vehicle location on the map. 

GIF of passenger clicking stop on PPM

Where to Put the Passenger Predictions Map

The Passenger Predictions Map URL can be linked anywhere for promotion purposes, and can even be embedded directly within your existing website!

What's my shareable PPM URL? 

Look for the simple URL at the top of the PPM when you've selected your agency:

agency URL

You can use your PPM URL to include in your website as a simple weblink.

You can also embed the Passenger Predictions Map right into your website. Here's an example from Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority.

FAQ's

What's the difference between the Passenger Predictions Map and the Live Map (Swiftly Dashboard)?

While much of the information may look the same, the PPM and Live Map are two very distinct tools. 

  • The Swiftly Dashboard Live Map is an internal tool to help your team track and manage your fleet in real-time – this is not to be shared publicly.
  • The PPM is designed as a public tool to help passengers get access to real-time predictions using a simple, accessible interface.

Should I just tell passengers to go to live.goswift.ly?

We recommend directing passengers to your agency's specific PPM URL. (ex. live.goswift.ly/vta)

The URL "live.goswift.ly" will take users to a list of all the available transit agencies that Swiftly supports – this would be an extra step for passengers that may cause confusion.

Is the Passenger Predictions Map an app? 

No. The PPM is accessed from any browser or on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop computer – there's no additional app or software to download.

Can I tell passengers to check out this article for information on how to use the PPM?

If you want to include directions on how to use the PPM, we recommend copy-and-pasting the "How to Use the Passenger Predictions Map" section above into your own website. 

Since this Help Center was designed to help transit agency staff, we'd prefer that this article not be shared with the general public. 

Transit App

Agencies that are integrated with Transit can embed their web widget into their website. This is an easy-to-use interface that mimics the Transit app experience. 

DCTA website with transit web widget

This integration is handled solely by the agency and Swiftly cannot support any issues with embedding this widget.

Agency or Third-Party Website

Many agencies have their own visions and use-cases for predictions and/or vehicle locations on their agency website or other sites. At Swiftly, we believe that your data should be flexible and open for any interface you want to offer your passengers. 

 

When integrating Swiftly predictions into your agency's website or other third-party web interfaces, Swiftly will offer all the necessary API access and optional Swiftly API training. It is up to the agency or developer to utilize the API to push vehicle position and predictions to those interfaces. 

Take Web Interfaces Beyond the Basics

Customer Community Training Webinars:

 

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