Let's develop together! Develop an application for a chance to win!

LAVAL, QC, March 6, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ -With Let's develop together! as its theme, the Société de transport de Laval is launching a contest for everyone interested either in developing mobile applications from our Open Data, in order to improve riders' experience in using the STL's services, or in submitting an idea or a concept for a mobile application, in order to further improve riders' experience in using our services.

In fact, all contest entrants will have a chance to win up to $10,000 in prizes, depending on the application submitted.

Here are the four categories:

• Best General Application — Judges' Choice — Grand Prize: $5,000

• Best General Application — People's Choice Award — 2nd Prize: $3,000

• Honourable mention by the Judges for an Application — 3rd Prize: $1500

• Participation prize for an Application Idea — Random draw: $500
  
  

Since December 2011, the STL has been providing access to its data, thereby allowing users to integrate them into an application that they are developing, which in turn will promote greater access to information on schedules and routes for as many people as possible.

The contest started on Tuesday, March 5 at 5 p.m. and mobile applications may be submitted until 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, 2012. A pre-selection will then be made by a panel of judges and the general public will be asked to vote, between 5 p.m. on June 11, 2012 and 5 p.m. on July 6, 2012, to choose the best application, based on the following criteria:

• Usefulness — usefulness to STL riders

• Originality — uniqueness and inventiveness of application

• Ease of use — overall usability of the application

• Accessibility — ability of the application to be used by many types of people

The winners will be identified at 10 a.m. on July 13, 2012.

For further information on this contest, don't hesitate to visit the STL's website at www.stl.laval.qc.ca, under STL Mobile.

The STL, facts and figures

• The STL operates over 20-million runs annually.
  
  
• The STL has rolled out its STLSynchro system, which informs transit users, in real time, about bus schedules and progress along the routes.
  
  
• The overhaul of its bus network, made necessary by the extension of the metro to Laval, gave rise to a 32% increase in service, faster trips, more direct bus routes and a greater frequency of buses outside rush hours, on evenings and weekends.
  
  
• The STL has also joined forces with the Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique, Communauto and the Carpooling Network, to promote sustainable transportation in Laval.
  
  
• All vehicles on its fleet use biodiesel B5.
  
  
• The STL is registered on Twitter and has its own page on Facebook, where it announces service notices.
  
  
• The STL offers riders the opportunity to register on My STL in order to receive notices on the bus routes that they usually take.
  
  
• Since the roll-out, in 2009, of its vehicle scheduling control system, the STL's on-time performance rates continue to improve, and to date, it has succeeded in achieving rates of over 92%.
  
  
• The STL has received a number of awards of distinction, including one from the AQTR in 2010: the Grand Prix for excellence in mass transit, positioning it as an outstanding corporation.
  
  
• In 2011, the STL was honoured with the AQTR's general public communication award for its Smog Alert program..

Marie-Céline Bourgault
Director, Communications & Marketing
Société de transport de Laval
450 662-5429
[e-mail]