A NATIONWIDE competition on developing mobile apps to help solve transportation problems in the country was launched in Cebu last Saturday.
The Phillippine Transit App Challenge invites software developers to create apps that will use the Department of Transportation and Communication’s database on public transportation.
The challenge is a three-month long competition with the best transit app to win P100,000.
The contest is run by the Department of Transportation and Communications in partnership with the Metro Manila Development Authority and Cebu City Government.
“This competition is expected to help us in the government find ways to improve the traffic problems that are presently faced by many,” said Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 Director Ahmed Cuizon in an interview.
The database or the Philippine Transit Information Service (PTIS) contains information on bus, train, jeepney routes and traffic data in Metro Manila and Cebu. For Cebu, the data will come from the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) and LTFRB 7.
Cuizon said during the event that moving around Cebu today has become a “headache” to many people because of its inefficient mass transportation system, shrinking road networks, narrow streets and worsening traffic congestions.
Cuizon said the government resources are not enough to cope with the increasing number of public and private vehicles in Cebu. He said existing roads in Cebu are slowly getting overrun.
Cuizon said the Bus Rapid Transit system proposed in 2008 is an efficient way of transportation for Cebu. But since Cebu does not have BRT yet, commuters rely mostly on jeepeneys, which are an “inefficient” mode of mass transportation, he said.
“The good thing about BRT is that it can lessen the number of vehicles in the road.
Even if we have narrow roads, somehow, the mobility of transportation is more efficient,” he said.
Cuizon said that despite the lack of government funds for road improvement, he said technology can help improve the transportation system. He cited the need to develop an application that will send advisories to commuters and drivers on which routes are congested and which ones they can take.
Cuizon said he is looking forward to a system or application that will help monitor the fluctuations in fuel prices and guide the board in setting public transportation fare.
The developer community in Cebu through the Google Developers Group (GDG) has shown their interest and support to the competition. GDG members conducted discussions on effective app interface, strategies in marketing apps and gave tips in how to do well in the app challenge.
GDG communities in Manila, Baguio, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro and Davao also did the
same.
Ruben Licera Jr, GDG Cebu Community Manager, said he is optimistic with the success of the Cebuano developers.
“We have many talents here and many have made it in several competitions.” Licera is expecting at least 10 participants from Cebu but is hoping for a bigger number.
Developers who are interested to join the contest can check the details at www.philippine-transit.hackathome.com. (JOG)