GoBus announces free smartphone app

A regional transit system in East Texas has announced a free smartphone app that will help customers plan trips, track buses and see fare payments.

The smartphone app is live and can be downloaded through the Google Pay store or Apple App store, according to a release from the East Texas Council of Governments.

Searchable under the name GoBus Transit, the app is flexible for agency and riders alike, giving customers more accurate wait times, allowing them to save time planning trips at their convenience, the release stated.

"GoBus Transit is excited to launch a mobile app for iPhone and Android users, which brings added convenience to the citizens of East Texas. Citizens requested a mobile app, and we delivered! This digital tool is a game-changer for our riders because it takes all the guesswork out of planning a transit trip. In addition to real-time tracking, the app will allow passengers to pay for their fares. GoBus Transit is dedicated to safe, reliable, and friendly transit options while leveraging technology to bring innovative solutions to the citizens of East Texas," said ETCOG Transportation Director Vince Huerta.

First-time app users must contact GoBus dispatch at 800-590-3371 to get their account set up. The app is available for download at www.gobustransit.com/gobus-mobile-app.

GoBus has about 30 vehicles on the road making between 500 and 800 trips a day, Monday through Friday, in the 10,000-square-mile ETCOG region. GoBus provides demand/response service, taking customers where they need to go, such as work, school, grocery store, or medical trips. Fares are currently suspended but will be reinstated on Sept. 1, with a $2 fee for each one-way trip, plus $1 for each additional stop.