New software to help commuters access AMTS bus routes on Internet, SMS

Even as all eyes are on Ahmedabad's Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), a freelance software developer has taken up the challenge to revive the Ahmedabad Municipal Transport System (AMTS) with his SMS-based bus route query system.

Jayesh Gohil, a final year student at CEPT University in Ahmedabad, has developed a bus stop finder programme for commuters.

"Right now, I have not made the programme public, as I am mapping all the existing routes of AMTS with a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracker and marked the same on the route with the help of Google maps," said Gohil.

Gohil has recently launched his website —http://amts.openmap.info/qs — outlining his plan on AMTS routes. But his effort is yet to be recognised by the AMTS officials.

"If the AMTS officials give the required information, the website can be updated constantly as the programmes are built in such a way that information could be embedded instantly," added Gohil.

He had first presented his project at Freed.in conclave held in New Delhi last year. He had also approached his teachers like Professor Shivanand Swami, who had planned the BRTS route in Ahmedabad.

"Professor Swami was pleased with my efforts, but he wanted me to incorporate it for BRTS. I realised that the existing usage of AMTS is poor. Most of the time, the commuters avoid using city transport only because they don't have adequate information. Therefore, I decided to limit my project to AMTS," he added.

Gohil further said that such projects essentially do not belong to anyone in particular, as it is meant for the public.

"In the first stage, the project can survive without AMTS' official endorsement, as it would provide the route and bus number. However, if it is taken to the next stage of providing information through SMS, we will need AMTS' help on timings and routes," he said.

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