ETS defends new Live To Go app on its launch day

One day after the new Edmonton Transit app Live To Go was handed a harsh review, officials with ETS are defending the new smartphone tool.

The free Android and iPhone app launched officially on Tuesday, but a small group of individuals were given an advanced copy to try out ahead of time.

On Monday, Edmonton AM host Mark Connolly heard from Omar Mouallem, one of the advanced testers, who said the app didnt go far enough and was difficult to navigate.

Mouallem suggested the app was best suited for people who are already experienced transit users. The next day, Lorna Stewart, ETS director of customer experience and innovation, agreed.

Hes correct, this app is for folks who are current bus users and it does take a little bit of work but not a lot, she said.

Once you know the route near your house that you can take to destinations, this app is a good tool for you.

She also said the app includes a number of slick features, such as integration with a smartphones GPS to find the nearest bus stop number.

And while Stewart said the mobile version of ETS Live provides similar information, she said the new app is the first to provide real time tracking along 17 Smart Bus routes in the city.

In the coming months, Stewart said ETS plans to share that real-time data through the Google transit app.

In the meantime, she said ETS will be collecting feedback on the new app through its Facebook page.

• On mobile? Listen to Lorna Stewart's full interview here