Galway start-up selected to help transform New York’s transport system

It’s not every day you hear of two lads from Longford revamping the entire transport system of New York City but that’s exactly what Brian O’Rourke and Alan Farrelly look set to achieve with their Galway-based start-up CitySwift.

CitySwift has recently been announced as one of three companies selected to take part in a one-year pilot scheme which aims to improve the efficiency of New York’s transport system. The company beat out stiff competition from our 200 applications to win the contract.

The start-up, along with two other chosen companies, will partner with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), North America’s largest public transport operator. 

CitySwift’s unique selling point is that it uses artificial-intelligence technology and machine learning to predict journey times and passenger demand across bus routes in a transport system. It then creates optimised timetables to let passengers know when to expect their bus, taking into account traffic in the area and other external factors which could slow a bus down in reaching its next stop.

The company has already made waves in the UK as it partnered with one of the country’s largest transport operators, the National Express West Midlands, last year.

According to CitySwift’s co-founder and CEO Brian O’Rourke, the company is “incredibly excited to be helping the MTA embrace data in smart, innovative ways to improve bus services and support Covid-19 recovery in New York City”.

“As new mobility patterns emerge, there is a lot to learn from big data about changing trends and how best to plan and shape bus services for the future,” he continued.

“Data has the power to transform the economics of the bus sector and help attract a new generation of passengers. It’s the key to delivering frequent, fast, reliable services that meet the needs of the modern bus user and offer an attractive, affordable and sustainable alternative to the private car.”

Michael Wojnar, MTA senior adviser for innovation and policy, also expressed his excitement about the project: “The MTA is exploring every avenue to be in a better position to welcome back New Yorkers as they return to public transit, including looking to great ideas from the private sector,” said Michael Wojnar, MTA senior adviser for innovation and policy.

“These pilots are promising because they may help the MTA improve the customer experience and increase sustainable options to ensure a smoother and more efficient journey.”

Since its founding in 2016 CitySwift has raised an impressive €3.5 million in funding from backers including Enterprise Ireland, the Western Development Commission, Act Venture Capital, Irelandia Investment and former CarTrawler CEO Mike McGearty.