Here at TechCrunch, we often focus on finding and reporting on the latest advancements in mobility technology, from self-driving vehicles to innovative energy solutions. Many of these technologies are still in the development stage, but we believe it’s important to also highlight the current innovations that are already making an impact on transportation in cities.
One such city is Miami, which has been working with transit tech company Via to implement on-demand transit services since 2020. This service, now known as MetroConnect, has seen a 70% increase in ridership and has connected riders to transit hubs, improving access to job opportunities for many residents who do not have access to a car.
In addition to on-demand transit, Miami has also worked with Via’s planning products to optimize its bus network, resulting in a new Better Bus Network plan that provides more frequent and reliable bus services.
Further north, the city of New York has been focused on modernizing its iconic subway system, which is over 100 years old. The Metropolitan Transport Authority (MTA) has been phasing out the MetroCard in favor of the OMNY system, a contactless payment system that has already been adopted by 50% of subway riders.
The MTA is also working to improve the subway experience by bringing cell service to all subway stations and tunnels, as well as implementing communication-based train control (CBTC) technology to improve the system’s efficiency and reliability.
Alongside these developments, other companies such as Waymo have been making significant progress in the field of autonomous vehicles, expanding their service area in Phoenix and offering autonomous airport rides.
Overall, there are many exciting advancements in transportation technology that are already making a difference in cities like Miami and New York, and we look forward to seeing further progress in the coming years.