Aucklanders using public transport can now share their travel plans with friends and family through a new feature in the AT Mobile app, a move designed to enhance passenger safety and provide peace of mind.
The "Share my journey" function, launched by Auckland Transport (AT), enables users to send their intended route, estimated arrival time, and specific bus, train, or ferry details to a chosen contact via text message, WhatsApp, or other messaging platforms. The feature comes in response to customer feedback calling for greater connectivity and support while navigating the city's transport network.
While the tool shares trip details, AT has confirmed it does not track a user's live GPS location, a decision made to protect customer privacy. If a user misses their connection or changes their plans, they must share a new, updated journey plan within the app to keep their contacts informed.
A response to safety concerns
The introduction of this feature is part of a broader strategy by AT to improve customer confidence in the public transport system. Safety on buses, trains, and at stations has become a significant public concern in recent years, with reports of anti-social behaviour and crime causing anxiety for many travellers. This new tool follows the recent addition of a "Report feeling unsafe" button in the app, which allows passengers to discreetly report incidents to AT and transport authorities.
Stacey van der Putten, AT's Director of Public Transport and Active Modes, says the initiative is about giving passengers an extra layer of reassurance.
Everyone deserves to feel safe when travelling with us. Share my journey helps provide that extra layer of reassurance by letting friends or whānau see your travel plans and know when to expect you.
This digital-first approach to safety complements existing on-the-ground measures, which include security staff, transport officers, and police who patrol the network. However, the vastness of the Auckland network means that a visible security presence cannot be everywhere at once, making app-based tools a crucial supplement for passenger safety.
How the feature works
Using the 'Share my journey' function is straightforward. After planning a trip in the AT Mobile app, users will see an option to share it. Tapping this button allows them to select a contact and a messaging application, which then sends a summary of the journey. This includes the planned route on a map, scheduled departure and arrival times, and the specific service numbers the user is expected to board.
This feature is expected to be particularly useful for people travelling late at night, parents of children and teenagers using public transport, or anyone unfamiliar with a particular route. By providing detailed information, it closes the information gap that can cause worry when a person's journey takes longer than expected. It also provides a clear record of a person's intended movements, which can be vital information in an emergency.
The decision not to include live GPS tracking has been framed as a privacy-positive move, but it also places the onus on the user to keep their contacts updated. If a bus is running late or a train is cancelled, the shared journey plan will not automatically reflect this. Users must actively re-plan and re-share their journey to provide accurate information, a small but important step for ensuring the feature works as intended.
Building trust in public transport
Improving safety perceptions is critical for encouraging greater uptake of public transport, a key goal in Auckland's strategy to reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions. Incidents on the network, even if isolated, can have a chilling effect on public confidence. Just last year, reports highlighted a sharp increase in assaults and abuse directed at transport staff, prompting calls for greater security.
Initiatives like "Share my journey" and the "Report feeling unsafe" button are technological responses to these very human concerns. They empower passengers to take an active role in their own safety and provide AT with valuable data on where and when people feel vulnerable. This information can be used to deploy resources more effectively and address problem areas on the network.
Looking ahead, AT has signalled that more features will be added to the mobile app over time. As technology evolves, passengers can likely expect further integrations aimed at making public transport in Tāmaki Makaurau not only more efficient but also a safer and more comfortable experience for everyone.
