A popular mobile phone application that assists Egyptian drivers with road assistance and car maintenance has received $3,000 at the first ever Cairo Transport App Challenge.
Users of the application tell Bikyanews.com that it has helped them find new routes and secure service when their vehicles are in need of assistance. Numerous local and international institutions have praised the application for its use of technology and public services, a rarity in Egypt.
The ceremony handing down the award was hosted by the ICT ministry, the World Bank and a number of companies and civil society organizations.
The app, produced by Belya, uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) to help drivers locate automobile service centers and send requests for help to maintain their vehicles, specifying the required service, its date and time to licensed car workshops.
“It is also linked to the General Traffic Administration, to provide quick and regular updates of the traffic situation. The team behind the app is nominated to participate in the international competition for mobile phone applications at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this month,” according to a statement from the ICT ministry.
The second prize of $2,000, went to the ‘electronic violation’ (E-mokhalfa), an application designed to help the local community create safer roads by putting pressure on drivers. The third prize of $1,000 went to the app ‘Where is my bus?’ (Autobeesy Feen?), which helps people identify bus stations, routes, journey time and everything related to mass transport on their mobile phones.
Joseph Mayton
