Latest news with #Beep
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Atlanta Beltline plans 12-month driverless vehicles pilot program
The Brief The Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority has approved a new pilot program that would bring autonomous Beep shuttles to parts of the Atlanta Beltline. The 12-month test would link the Atlanta University Center, MARTA's West End station, and the Beltline's Lee + White district. Officials are hoping to launch the program in time for the FIFA World Cup in 2026. ATLANTA - The Atlanta Beltline has greenlet a new pilot project bringing autonomous passenger vehicles to parts of the city's popular walking trail. Officials say the project will bring driverless Beep shuttles to intown streets as soon as next year. What we know Beltline officials revealed their proposal during a meeting of the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) in May. That proposal was approved on Thursday, awarding the pilot project $1.75 million in funding as part of a contract with the Florida-based autonomous vehicle company Beep. According to the proposal, the route would span about two miles in southwest Atlanta, connecting the Atlanta University Center to MARTA's West End station and continuing to the Beltline at the Lee + White development. That stretch of the Beltline, formerly known as the Westside Trail, is being renamed the Southwest Trail. Officials are aiming to launch the project in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will bring thousands of international visitors to Atlanta. What they're saying "The first-of-its-kind autonomous public shuttle service in the City of Atlanta, the program will provide first/last mile connectivity with under 15-minute headways on the selected route, drive economic impact to the area, engage the community through rider surveys, workforce development opportunities, and local STEM programs, and promote tourism," the Atlanta Beltline What's next The planning and design stage as well as the vehicle fabrication will take place this summer and fall with operations set to start in January. During the pilot program, officials will get feedback through rider surveys. The Source Information for this story was provided by Atlanta Beltline Inc.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Atlanta Beltline approves pilot program for autonomous shuttles
If you live or work on Atlanta's westside, you may soon see more driverless vehicles. On Thursday, the Atlanta Region Transit-Link Authority unanimously approved a pilot program for autonomous shuttles to connect to the Atlanta Beltline. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Florida based Beep will operate the four autonomous shuttles. 'When we set out to build the Beltline, one of our goals was to create a more connected Atlanta. Today's Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority approval for an innovative pilot project with Beep will help do just that,' the Atlanta Beltline said in a statement. The autonomous shuttles will connect MARTA's West End station to the Beltline. The route will include the Atlanta University Center and the Lee and White Entertainment District, which is next to the Westside Trail. The pilot program was approved for a year. TRENDING STORIES: Risk for strong to severe storms late Friday, active weather pattern this weekend Explosion rocks Villa Rica after outbuilding at ammo supply shop catches fire Boat found circling on Allatoona Lake with no one on board [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Filipino Times
03-06-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
LRT, MRT to launch cashless fare payments starting July, says DOTr
Starting this July, commuters using the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) systems can pay their fares using debit cards, credit cards, or e-wallets, eliminating the need for Beep cards and reducing long queues, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr). Instead of purchasing and reloading stored-value Beep cards, passengers will be able to simply tap their phones or cards at the turnstiles to access the train platforms. DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon announced that the implementation of cashless turnstiles under the automatic fare collection (AFC) system will begin next month. 'This should be rolled out around July. We're bringing it to the MRT and other trains. Even credit cards will be accepted. You just tap your phone—no need to buy a Beep card,' he said. Dizon also expressed surprise that such a system hadn't been implemented earlier, noting that the technology for a cashless MRT has been ready for immediate deployment. He added that the initiative follows the directive of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., who had instructed the DOTr to create an open-loop payment system compatible with various financial platforms. Some commuters welcomed the change, saying that the cashless option would eliminate long lines, inconvenience, and potential health risks at train stations.
GMA Network
03-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Cashless transactions in LRT, MRT to start in July —DOTr
Passengers can use debit cards, credit cards, and e-wallets to pay the fare in Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) starting July, eliminating long lines at train stations, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said. Instead of buying and reloading Beep cards or stored-value smart cards used in LRT and MRT, passengers can simply tap their phones or cards at the turnstile upon their entry to the railway platform. DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said the department will start deploying cashless turnstiles for the automatic fare collection (AFC) system next month. 'Mga bandang July ito, if I'm not mistaken. I-implement na natin sa MRT at sa ibang mga tren natin. Alam ko pati credit card puwede na. Ita-tap mo na lang 'yung phone mo. Hindi ka na kailangan bumili ng Beep,' he said. (This will be around July, if I'm not mistaken. We will implement it on the MRT and on our other trains. I know that credit cards can also be used. Just tap your phone. You don't need to buy a Beep card.) 'Nagtaka nga ako bakit hindi ito kaagad na-implement, 'yun naman pala kaya i-implement kaagad-agad itong cashless options sa MRT,' he added. (I was wondering why it wasn't implemented right away, the cashless options on the MRT can be implemented right away actually.) President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. earlier ordered the DOTr to develop an open-loop payment system that is integrated with multiple financial platforms, Dizon said. According to a report of EJ Gomez on GMA Integrated News' Unang Balita on Tuesday, some passengers said the cashless transaction in LRT and MRT is good news for them. The passengers said the move will eradicate long lines, hassles, and health risks. —Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Internet suspended in Panjgur, panel told
The National Assembly's Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication was informed on Monday that internet services in Balochistan's Panjgur district remain suspended due to security clearance being withheld by intelligence agencies for the next six months. However, interior ministry officials clarified that terrorists of the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) were not using Pakistan's official internet infrastructure, but an alternative system. During the committee's meeting, chaired by Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Aminul Haque at the Parliament House, officials from the Ministry of Interior briefed members on the prolonged internet shutdown in Panjgur. They said that a formal request for security clearance was made on March 22, but clearance was denied without detailed justification, only citing "security concerns" as the reason for continued data suspension. Committee member Pauline Baloch expressed strong concern, saying the internet issue in her constituency had persisted for several years. "If nothing has been resolved in the past three years, what hope is there in the next six months?" she asked. "It appears Panjgur is being permanently disconnected," she added, taking a solemn oath and alleging that the region was being deliberately punished. Separately, the committee also lauded Pakistan's cybersecurity apparatus for successfully fending off cyberattacks during recent heightened tensions with India. Committee Chairman Aminul Haque said cyberattacks were launched against Pakistan between May 5 and 6, but were effectively thwarted. "Our cybersecurity team and the National CERT deserve commendation for defending Pakistan's digital assets and even launching counteroffensives," he said. Meanwhile, Acting CEO of the National Information Technology Board (NITB) Faisal Ratyal briefed the committee on the development of "Beep", a secure government communication app designed for federal employees. The app will include voice and video conferencing capabilities and aims to provide a safer internal communication platform. Committee members were informed that a high-level committee had been formed to oversee Beep's rollout, and an additional security layer was being incorporated to enhance protection. With additional input from APP
