The Bowen LIFT smart phone app is now ready to download, and can be found directly at app.bowenlift.com, on bowenlift.com and on our Facebook page. You do not need to be registered with the Facebook group to use the app, but you do need to be connected to the internet (wifi or cellular). It is designed for smart phones but also works with desktops. Key features include:
- A Ride Board displaying current ride offers and requests.
- Ability to schedule rides by ferry sailing is a key feature for islanders.
- Ride sharing on island or mainland without a ferry trip is also supported.
- Live ferry information including % loading and real sailing times – good for checking overloading and on time performance
- Easy posting of new offers and ride requests
- Immediate notice via email to driver and rider who want to share
- A map displaying live ferry, bus locations and active ride destinations
- Bus schedules
- Information about Car2go
Developed by Islander Tom Carchrae for Bowen LIFT, the app works much like a digital bulletin board where drivers and riders post their ride-share offer or request. A prime feature is the ability to use the ferry as a “central station” for scheduling ride sharing to the mainland, and back to the island. We hope that commuters will embrace this. Ride-sharing on the island, on the mainland, and from the mainland to the ferry and back to the island also are supported.
To start using the app, you will be asked to register with your real name and a valid email address. You may also choose to include your cell phone number (optional) so that the driver and rider can talk or text about ride details. Once registered, you can easily log on to see the whole app including the ride board, see existing rides and lift requests, and post your own requests and offers of a ride. You can also easily check the live ferry information and check local bus schedules. The app sends an email to notify users that their request or offer has been responded to so that driver and rider can then get in touch with each other by personal email, text or phone to work out exact details for meeting and direct communication about the ride.
Enticing drivers and riders to use the app will be a key focus for the project in the coming weeks. With the smaller Bowen Queen serving Bowen Island, the time is right to reduce ferry overloads while reducing our GHG emissions using an environmentally friendly solution while increasing our community connections.
