The University’s transition from the TransLoc app to Passio GO! for tracking shuttles has sparked significant conversation among students and staff alike.
This shift, prompted by a substantial increase in the cost of TransLoc’s services, was accelerated when the older app became largely non-functional, forcing the Department of Transportation and Logistics to push forward with Passio GO! despite unresolved issues.
This changeover is part of a broader trend observed across numerous colleges and universities, with institutions like Emory University and Rutgers also making the switch to Passio Technologies.
The decision has not been without its challenges. Users have reported several problems with Passio GO!, including issues with shuttle tracking, inaccuracies in service displays, and outdated route and schedule information (problems that have carried over from TransLoc).
The Orange/Blue line has shown the route going via Mt. Hope Ave in College Town, where it does not go. The Pittsford Green Line displays the stop at Tops as located in the parking lot instead of on Rue De Ville. Multiple separate inbound/outbound stops are displayed as being combined despite being on different sides of the street, such as the Laser Lab stop on the Blue Line. These difficulties have affected the reliability of the service, leading to confusion and inconvenience for shuttle users.
Take 5 student Aaron Weiner, an intern for the Department of Transportation and Logistics, shared insights into the transition, noting that the switch was necessitated by financial considerations rather than a belief in superior service from Passio GO.
Weiner highlighted that while Passio GO! does offer some advantages over TransLoc — such as not requiring location services, offering easier access to routes and stops, and providing more customization options — it generally falls short in terms of user interface and overall functionality.
“The TransLoc app was no longer being actively supported by the company, making it challenging to implement changes or updates to the platform,” Transportation Operation Manager Andrea Walton said. “Our shuttle provider, TransDev, migrated UR and RIT to the new app, Passio GO!. Although we’ve been working to get the new app up and running since the summer, we felt the fall semester of 2023 was too soon to launch it.”
The department has been proactive in addressing these issues, working closely with the app developers to implement updates. Walton indicated that the equipment issues that have led to incorrect shuttle locations and discrepancies in stops and routes have been identified, and the department is working with Transdev and Passio to address the issue.
“Students are encouraged to refer to the printed schedules posted on the Transportation website for up-to-date schedule information,” Walton said.
