Arriva is launching a mobility app that allows users in The Netherlands to pay and ride with any transport operator, shared transport or micromobility provider.
Previously, paying for public transport required an ov-chipkaart contactless card. After boarding a bus, some riders discovered that they did not have enough credits left and had to leave, walk to a machine to top up their card and wait for the next bus.
The new Glimble Mobility as a Service (MaaS) app enables payment on all public and shared public transport and provides real-time arrival information for buses and trains. A 'live directions' feature with 'get off alerts' provide guidance for the entire journey, while 'service alerts' helps users avoid disruptions.
They can also use the app to book, pay and unlock micromobility rides with operators such as Arriva B&G, Hopperpoint, and Urbee.
Glimble combines official information from all Dutch transport agencies, as well as crowdsourced information to calculate the best route for each journey with mobility options like bus, rail, tram, underground, ferry, taxi, Uber, carsharing, scooters, and bikes. Passengers can sort the app's 'suggested routes' via cost of the journey or by the total level of carbon dioxide (CO2).
Additionally, Glimble comes with screen reading features for low vision users, including TalkBack/VoiceOver capabilities, and optimised menus and buttons for those with hand-motor disabilities.
It also identifies wheelchair-accessible routes and stations and calculates step-free routes.
Anne Hettinga, managing director Arriva Nederland, says: “In a world where everyone is constantly on the move, where connectivity and accessibility are essential, you have to be flexible and nimble. So, in line with our aim to become the leading mobility supplier, we created glimble by Arriva — an app that offers all mobility solutions and allows you to tailor them to your personal preferences.”
As part of the initiative, Moovit is providing Arriva with a web based employer portal, enabling companies to provide their employees with budgets for commute, business and private trips via Glimble.
Employers can view historical business trips of staff members and allocate additional funds if they wish.
Looking ahead, Glimble will soon expand to include Belgium and parts of Germany to help make cross-border journey planning and payment more efficient.
