b'FOGHORN FOCUSAn App for That USING TECHNOLOGY TO MEETAND EXCEED RIDERS NEEDSSARAH FERRETTI // FOGHORNRight: Riders can choose a route in the San Francisco Bay Ferry app to book a ferry ticket. T icketing is the primary purpose of most passenger vessel apps. Guests can purchase tickets, save payment methods, and have tickets validated for travel, and it can all be done from the palm of ones hand. For the rider, it can make the process quick and easy and as frictionless as possible. During the pandemic, there was the added bonus of being contactless, and for some, could help manage with a limited staff. However, these apps can offer so much more, from sched-PHOTO: JONAS LEUPE / UNSPLASHules and real-time tracking maps to audio tours or games. We looked at a fewPVA members apps to learn more about how this technology can be effectively utilized. one phone to show everyones passes for validation. Multi-ride options, monthly passes, discounted fares, or add-ons like bringing aboard a A ticketing app offers options similar to purchasing a paper ticket. Forbike, are all possible. In the case of ferries that also carry vehicles, such the basic rider, it may be a simple single ticket, activate it and go. A per- as Washington State Ferries, reservations for transit with a car can be son traveling with others can buy tickets for themselves and use onlymade via an app. FOGHORN 12'