“Lift” IT from OASA – Transport in Athens

The first major update to OASA's OASA Telematics app, through which bus and trolleybus passengers can access real-time route information, is now a reality, 8 years after its launch.

For a few days now, owners of mobile phones with iOS (iphone) software have access to the updated application, while the same is expected to happen day by day for the majority of users who have a mobile phone with Android software.

The application has not changed much since its launch in 2016, while its users have many complaints about various malfunctions. It is also worth noting that the Android version of the app did not receive any updates (even for security reasons) between 2020 and 2023.

Regarding the app for mobile phones, one of the most important changes (besides the better design of the app that also supports dark mode), is that users can be notified of the next arrivals in one stop even if they close the app, via the (Live Activities) shortcut on the desktop.

For the last 3 minutes before the bus arrives, the app sends one notification every minute.

In addition, a map with the closest stops to the user's location is displayed on the main screen of the application.

It should be noted that the “technological modernization” of the telematics system has recently begun, which includes, among other things, the placement of posters with QR codes at 7,500 bus stops (started during the holidays from the New Philadelphia area) through which passengers can access Information page for the arrival of the next buses.

OASA's planning also includes providing an additional 500 “smart stops”, that is, route displays that will be placed at an equal number of stops.

The OASA telecommunications system has been operating since 2016, through a 12-year public-private partnership contract signed in 2014, with the contractor paid through monthly payments throughout this period.

Alexandros Liaros – athenstransport.com