First Transit has announced a partnership with CommuteStream that will help transit systems create additional revenue streams while also supporting local business. First Transit is using its knowledge in mobility solutions to help CommuteStream push more than 30 million relevant and targeted monthly advertisements to the mobile devices of riders on public transit. CommuteStream uses data mining and location to learn the routines of transit commuters to match individual riders to relevant ads for their journey.
According to Pew Research, 64 percent of adults in the U.S. have a mobile phone. A person using transit typically travels on the same route each day; they walk by the same restaurants, stores and cafes. Local business wins by increased foot traffic and sales.
“To date, we have worked with CommuteStream to integrate their platform on apps across 30 transit systems,” said Sharad Agarwal, senior vice president, strategy and growth, First Transit. “In today’s economy where transit systems need to do more with less, we are glad that we can provide an alternative revenue solution.”