Dubai: Wojhati, the Roads and Transport Authority’s journey planner, has helped thousands of commuters travel across the city, with 740,000 people using the system last year.
The popularity of the planner improved following the launch of the Wojhati app which was launched in late 2013, increasing the use of the system by 47 per cent, from 505,000 users in 2013 to 740,000 users in 2014.
“Having 740,000 users of Journey Planner last year indicates that the service is achieving its target of gaining customers’ satisfaction, and articulates RTA’s commitment to provide services compatible with the innovative drive advocated by the Government of Dubai,” said Adel Shakeri, Director of Planning and Business Development at RTA’s Public Transport Agency.
He added that an update has been made to Wojhati app enabling Metro and bus users to figure out, via their smartphones, the names of stations they pass by during their travel aboard public transit modes.
“Wojhati app also provides all information needed by riders of public transport means (buses, Metro, water transport, and tram), be they residents, visitors or tourists of Dubai. Such information includes arrival timing, trip duration, applicable fare, directions to destination, and sending alerts in case of any delay,” added Adel.
Updates made to Wojhati include an Arabic-enabled edition for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry phones, making Wojhati the first Arabised Journey Planner in the world.
Additionally, the Arabisation has been integrated in the Windows® Operating System; which is also a first in the Middle East and the second worldwide after Germany.
“Wojhati has also been enhanced with Virtual Reality (VR) technology as this feature nurtures an interactive environment based on emulating the Augmented Reality (AR) and integrating it in the app such that the user can identify bus stops and routes as well as Metro journeys in a real-time environment. Users can automatically obtain information, timetables and distance from their places by simply directing the camera of the smartphone at any direction and from any position,” he said.
