MVTA Launches New Website (www.mvta.com)
Jan 1st, 2015 12:00 pmBurnsville, Minn. - (January 1, 2015) - The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) is launching a new website at www.mvta.com today. This is the first re-write of the site in more than 10 years, with the purpose of the new site being "To enhance the user experience, simplify content management, and provide better information and customer service to our community," said Beverley Miller, MVTA Executive Director.
The MVTA awarded a contract to Avallo Web Development in late July; work on the new site beginning immediately with a scheduled Jan. 1, 2015 launch date. In the interim, MVTA merged with Prior Lake and Shakopee's BlueXpress, so those routes and facilities were added to the site.
MVTA believes that to be effective, the MVTA website must be:
- Safe and secure
- Quick to load and operate
- Easy to use and intuitive for customers
- Flexible to allow for growth of the site
- Visually pleasing
- Informative
- Flexible to take advantage of new and emerging technologies, and easily adapted to future technologies
- Work on various platforms (desktops, multiple internet browsers, mobile browsers and mobile operating systems)
"We believe all of these components have been incorporated into the new site," Miller said. "We invite bus riders and non-riders alike to take a look at the site at www.mvta.com," she added.
Among the new features of the site are the ability to sign up for route-specific Rider Alerts to be automatically generated any time there is an impact to service related to a detour, accident or other incident that affects transit service. The site also includes access to the Google Trip Planner and MVTA's "Where's my bus web portal" where riders can find real-time information about the status and/or location of a bus (not yet available for mobile devices). The new site is also the launching point for the MVTA's first ever and just-completed "How to Ride" video.
The majority of the site is also optimized to accommodate use of mobile devices such as tablets and cellular phones. Information about all facets of the MVTA are featured on the site, including Board meeting agendas, packets and minutes, fare information, news and rider alerts and more.
The MVTA is the public transportation provider for the businesses and residents of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Prior Lake, Rosemount, Savage and Shakopee. Dakota and Scott County are also parties to the MVTA; the MVTA also provides service to the Lakeville Cedar Park & Ride.