The idea is that digital integration will improve the Brazilian experience with public transport, especially in large cities
Digital can be the solution to improve citizens’ experience with public transport in Brazil. Especially in large cities, Brazilians, according to the perceptions collected in the study Connected citizens, carried out by EY in collaboration with Ipsos Mori, are facing challenges such as the lack of infrastructure, with a network far below what is necessary; overcrowding, due to insufficient supply for the high number of passengers; and constant delays, which impact confidence in service quality.
The goal of Connected Citizens is to understand citizens’ attitudes towards technology and sharing their data, as well as their thoughts on public services and their expectations regarding their relationship with government.
This year, ten workshops took place in five countries – Australia, Brazil, India, the United Kingdom and the United States – to listen to citizens, of different profiles, on topics such as their views on digital services offered by the government and how these are delivered. interaction, facilitating access to the Internet, digital knowledge, as well as the opportunities created by the development of artificial intelligence and 5G technology.
Long distances to cover
Most Brazilians do not work in the same place where they live, having to travel long distances daily, especially in large cities such as Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. According to research by Moovit, almost half (45%) of public transport passengers in Rio de Janeiro take more than two hours to complete their daily commute. On weekdays, waiting times at bus stops or train or subway platforms average 20 minutes.
This characteristic, combined with the mobility challenges already mentioned, means that citizens face long hours in transport. According to a study by the Climate and Society Institute (iCS), the bus is the most used means of transport in the country, but it only appears in fourth place among the population’s preferences, with the subway at the top of the list.
Application for urban mobility
Considering this scenario, the EY study presented participants with the idea of an app to help people better manage their journey to work. The app’s proposal is to allow the user to plan their route using different means of transport.
Information is offered in real time, highlighting possible problems and delays with the modalities involved. The app also provides options for walking and cycling, with data on health benefits such as calorie burn.
For those interviewed in the EY and Ipsos Mori study, the integration of different modes into an app, in addition to walking and cycling, allows them to improve trip or route planning, optimizing time. Furthermore, this solution offers convenience and simplicity by replacing several applications used for this purpose with just one.
Finally, other features are interesting, such as the health benefits mentioned, as the app indicates calories burned; the possibility of viewing the routes experiencing operational difficulties; and usefulness for those seeking another means of transport (due to missing the bus or interruption of a service).
It’s not just the app
On the other hand, the majority believes that the app alone does not solve the problem of the lack of public transport infrastructure, including overcrowding. “We also noticed participants’ enthusiasm for cycle paths and bicycle rental infrastructure. According to them, cycling could currently be better integrated with transport in general.
There is also concern about barriers to smartphone use, such as robberies and thefts, especially in cities like Sao Paulo. Another issue mentioned was internet coverage, as signal instability can affect the display of transport conditions in real time,” says Luiz Sales, partner at EY.
So how would this super mobility app work?
1) Citizens can plan their route to work by entering their initial and final destination. Next, the app would present route possibilities using different types of transportation, such as train, subway, and bus.
2) The app would also provide options for walking and cycling, including information on health benefits such as calories burned along the way. The routes would offer different levels of traffic intensity so that less experienced cyclists could choose a quiet route, with fewer cars and buses.
3) The information would all be made available in real time and would highlight potential problems and possible delays on the route.
4) The app would be integrated with Google Maps to provide the closest routes, always considering the different transport options available.
Source: EY Agency
Source: Terra
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