TextMarks, the leading SMS-based real-time information service for transit riders in North America, has partnered with Swiftly, the leading Transit Data Platform. TextMarks is winding down its service, and the partnership with Swiftly will ensure a seamless transition for TextMarks customers while expanding access to Swiftly’s best-in-class passenger information.
Dan Kamins, Co-founder and CEO at TextMarks:For nearly two decades, TextMarks has connected transit riders with real-time information they can depend on, and I'm proud of what we've built. Along the way, we worked with many of the leading vendors in transit, and Swiftly has consistently stood out for their track record with agencies and their commitment to delivering a world-class rider experience. When we considered how TextMarks could serve agencies and riders even better, partnering with Swiftly was the clear path to carry our vision forward. I am confident our customers are in good hands.
Jonny Simkin, Co-founder and CEO at Swiftly:Accurate, reliable, and accessible information is critical to delivering a world-class transit experience. Millions of riders still rely on SMS text messaging to know when their next bus or train will arrive, and we are committed to meeting these riders where they are. TextMarks has spent nearly 20 years building an industry-leading SMS product that is essential for transit riders. We are proud to carry that forward and build on that vision.
Serving Riders on Every Channel
TextMarks serves over 100 transit agencies, including some of the largest in the country, and processes over 50 million text messages per year. The platform enables riders to get arrival times by texting a stop ID to 41411. The service is printed on bus stop signs at agencies across the country, making it one of the most recognisable and relied-upon rider information tools in the industry.
This partnership makes Swiftly the largest SMS provider in the transit industry and deepens Swiftly’s ability to serve riders across every channel.
Ensuring Seamless Transition
Swiftly is working with TextMarks to provide the most seamless transition possible for customers, while also upgrading the accuracy and reliability of their real-time arrival predictions.
Moving forward, Swiftly will manage SMS & 41411 shortcode functionality for TextMarks’s existing customers. Riders will continue to use the SMS service and phone number exactly as they always have.
Over the coming months, Swiftly will work directly with TextMarks’s customers to transition passenger information to Swiftly’s Transit Data Platform, improving real-time data quality without any disruption to riders or staff.
This article was first published by Swiftly.
