Houston transit agency unveils mobile ticketing app

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) and GlobeSherpa on Monday announced the launch of the METRO Q Mobile Ticketing app.

Source: Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County

The app allows rider to buy mobile tickets for the agency's rail and bus lines and use them directly from their smartphone, GlobeSherpa officials said in a press release.

Additionally, the METRO Q app allows riders to use multiple tickets for multiple passengers from a single smartphone and plan their commute with a trip planner tool.

The app also is aimed at improving the agency's operations through real-time reporting and geo-location data, GlobeSherpa officials said.

"METRO's new Q Mobile Ticketing App is part of our ongoing effort to make the commuting experience more convenient and today we take a significant leap forward for our passengers," said METRO President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Lambert.

GlobeSherpa's app platform is live on other U.S. transit systems, including the Chicago Transit Authority, the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon, and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.