Centro Plaza, VIA Metropolitan Transit’s state-of-the-art transit hub, is home to the latest installation of IKE Smart City kiosks, a new, interactive wayfinding and information system in Downtown San Antonio. The Interactive Kiosk Experience platform—IKE for short—makes it easy to navigate VIA service, receive real-time traffic and transit information, find places to shop and eat nearby, and access City services. VIA joins the City of San Antonio in partnering with IKE Smart City, aimed at creating value for transit customers and Downtown visitors.
“VIA is reimagining transit in our region with partnerships and programs that support innovation, like IKE Smart City,” VIA President/CEO Jeffrey C. Arndt said. “Over 1 million passengers travel to Centro Plaza each year. They now have an interactive, easy-to-use portal with fun and helpful digital tools as part of a modern transportation system.”
Each IKE Smart City has a double-sided digital display with apps offering an array of uses, such as helping pedestrians discover nearby attractions and parks while providing them with multi-modal directions to nearby destinations. Information about public events or public safety can be pushed to the kiosks in real-time, and users can transfer information to their smart phones. Among its many features, IKE Smart City monitors air quality, offers interactive games, and has cameras for selfies. The short video below provides an overview of the features and benefits the IKE Smart City kiosks offers.
IKE Smart City puts smart technology on the ground to drive discovery, mobility, and equity across the economic spectrum. The digital kiosks connect residents and visitors to local businesses, entertainment, and resources and also facilitate navigation around the city, providing directions, mapping, and real-time transit information for both mass and micro transit modalities. Additionally, IKE will serve as the nexus of a series of smart mobility hubs that connect mass transit with first and last mile micro-transit such as scooters and ebikes, and provide the information and route-planning functionality to enable low-cost, convenient, and environmentally sensitive transportation options.
“We are thrilled to partner with the City of San Antonio, one of the fastest growing and most innovative cities in the country,” said Pete Scantland, CEO of IKE Smart City. “IKE will help residents and visitors discover the city, providing better access to public transportation, and narrowing the digital divide by improving connectivity and access to civic and social resources. The addition of IKE kiosks will help to activate and enliven the pedestrian experience in San Antonio, and provides the City and other stakeholders with a powerful platform to deliver critical information to on-the-go residents and visitors throughout San Antonio.”
Future IKE Smart City locations include: VIA Five Points Transfer Area, VIA Medical Transit Center, VIA Ingram Transit Center, VIA Kel-Lac Transit Center, and VIA Brooks Transit Center. The partnership requires no additional funding from VIA and will generate revenue that can be reinvested into city programs and improvements.