Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

iPhone App Update

We have just released an update to the Avego^TM Shared Transport iPhone app. Version 1.0.3 includes a number of usability improvements for both drivers and riders.

Before you start using the iPhone app to share your vacant seats with others, you must first have recorded a route, with some safe and convenient pick-up / drop-off stop locations along the way.

With this latest update, drivers can make better decisions about the stops they create along the route, based on information about the proximity of the last stop passed and the total number of stops passed on the journey. When suggesting a stop, drivers are shown any existing nearby stops before they confirm the creation of a new stop.

While driving along a saved route, drivers are now provided with more guiding information, including the name of the next pick-up or drop-off location and a radar-like indicator pointing in the direction of the next rider to be picked up. Drivers can access more information about the riders they are matched with, and their bookings, by simply tapping on a rider's name. It's also possible to cancel the booking or to drop-off a passenger early.

This update also includes an improved user interface for riders, with the ability to view transportation alternatives if there is no service availability at the time a ride is sought.

All users should now upgrade to version 1.0.3. You can upgrade directly on your iPhone by selecting the “App Store” icon, then choosing the “Updates” tab and selecting the Avego update.

Of course, we are always working hard to improve our software, so please contact us if you have any suggestions for how we can make it better.

• Learn more about Avego Shared Transport here »
• Download the Avego iPhone app for free here »
• Create an Avego account here »
• Download our Quick Start Guide for drivers here »
• Help us to spread the word by forwarding this newsletter to a friend.

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Tips for Drivers

There are a number of things that you can do to ensure that you get the most out of Avego^TM Shared Transport as a driver:

1. For safety reasons, and for improved GPS accuracy, ensure that your iPhone is securely mounted to a dashboard or windscreen-mounted holster.
2. Use an in-car charger for your iPhone, otherwise your iPhone may run out of power mid-journey.
3. Read our quick start guide for drivers to quickly learn how to record routes, suggest stops and pick-up simulated ("ghost") riders.
4. If you receive a phone call during a journey, you can resume the journey by just re-opening the iPhone app. However, it's best to keep your conversations short.
5. To accurately pinpoint your location, the iPhone requires a clear view of a good portion of the sky. If you experience any problems, particularly in built-up areas, check the strength of your GPS signal in the Meter screen or in the Options screen.
6. If you do experience any unexpected behavior, you can help us to resolve the problem by submitting a diagnostics report in iTunes. When you sync your iPhone, you should be prompted to send the report. If not, you can reset this setting by right-clicking (or control + click) on your iPhone's name in iTunes and then selecting "reset warnings".
7. Log-in to your online account to create new routes, or edit existing routes. New routes can only be created if at least 2 stops have already been created along the route. You can also use the web interface to manage which stops appear along your route as you drive.
8. Make sure that the volume on your iPhone is not turned off, so that you can hear audio announcements about ride requests and other guiding information.
9. If you are not being offered any ghost riders on a journey, ensure that the "Simulated Riders" option is set to ON in your settings screen (Main Menu / Options / Settings). Here, you can also choose between miles / yards and kilometers / meters.
10. Every route that you record must pass at least two stops. Your start and end points are not automatically created as stops, for your security, so you will need to create stops along the route unless somebody else already has. The more stop locations along your route, the more likely it is that you will receive requests for a ride.

• If you have any questions about the iPhone app, check out our Frequently Asked Questions page here »
• If you have any other support related questions, you can contact our global Network Operations Center (NOC) by e-mailing .
• Chat with others about Avego Shared Transport in our community forum here ».
• Learn more about Avego Shared Transport here »
• Help us to spread the word by forwarding this newsletter to a friend.

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Futurefleet Pilot in India

Earlier this month, Avego implemented a real-time passenger information (RTPI) pilot of Futurefleet^TM in Mysore, India.

The Futurefleet RTPI pilot program is designed to provide public transit authorities and passenger transportation operators with a fully operational RTPI system on one of their busiest routes, with automatic vehicle location (AVL) and advanced management reporting capabilities.

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), which operates more than 15,000 buses in India, invited Avego to demonstrate the benefits of RTPI on a test route between Mysore's City Bus Stand and the world famous religious landmark - Chamundi Hills. KSRTC intends to initially introduce an RTPI system for 250 buses and 80 bus stops in Mysore, and then to expand the system to 8 other cities in India.

Avego's 3-day set-up procedure ensured that KSRTC and their customers could quickly and easily experience the full benefits of a robust real-time passenger information system. Now, for the first time in India, passengers are provided with real-time departure and arrival times via bus terminal departure boards, as well as more regular bus service intervals due to Futurefleet's schedule adherence notifications for drivers.

For more information about the Futurefleet RTPI pilot program, please contact .

• Learn more about Futurefleet's full range of operations services, passenger services and in-vehicle services capabilities here »
• Watch a screencast about Futurefleet's operations services here »
• Watch a video demo of Futurefleet here »
• Learn more about federal funding opportunities for Futurefleet^TM in the United States here »
• If you know somebody who might be interested in Futurefleet, please forward them this newsletter.

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