A new mobile app, ETA Spot, has recently been implemented to replace the defective DoubleMap app formerly used for JagTran tracking. The JagTrans have been instrumental to the Jaguar experience since they began operation in 2005. Many students were disappointed when, in the Spring Semester of 2023, the DoubleMap app stopped working. The new app has proven to be a relief to many South students, who are already making use of its tracking technology.

The original JagTran tracker began as a class project for South Alabama students in 2012 and was ready for full operation in the 2016 Spring Semester. The tracker worked to inform students of the whereabouts of each JagTran using software belonging to the company DoubleMap, a bus-tracking technology used in universities, airports, resorts, and more.

Though the tracker stopped working last spring, it already had many problems. Many students recall the app malfunctioning or temporarily shutting down completely. When the app stopped working for good, students who relied on it were expecting it to come back after a period of time, like usual. Despite all of the problems, students were dismayed by the disappointing loss. These malfunctions were not unique to the University of South Alabama; similar errors were found within Bloomington Transit, a mass transportation system in Bloomington, Indiana, with many routes connecting to Indiana University.

In such a car-centric city as Mobile, the JagTrans provide additional options for transportation to students who cannot drive, do not have a car on campus, or simply choose to use the service. The benefits of the JagTrans are numerous, from environmental advantages to reducing traffic on campus. Having a tracker makes them more accessible and helps create an overall better experience, which leads to increased use. The JagTran drivers themselves also benefit from the tracker, helping to make their job easier and more efficient. Its almost year-long hiatus emphasizes the value of a tracking system. JagTran is one of South Alabama’s valuable assets, and the tracker app remains dearly beloved.

Owner company ETA Transit boasts of its CAD/AVL software system that services over 75 transit agencies nationwide. The company has been providing location-based transportation services since its establishment in 2003. Many institutions that were similarly affected by the loss of the DoubleMap system have adopted ETA Spot, including Auburn University.

ETA Spot can be downloaded on Apple and Android devices at no cost. It functions just as the old app did, allowing users to select the routes on which they would like real-time updates. With a new app in place, students are rejoicing in the convenience once again provided for those who take the JagTrans, and there is hope that this new app will prove both reliable and long-lasting.