JRA app scoops multiple awards for innovation
The Johannesburg Roads Agency’s innovative Find & Fix mobile app – which makes it easier for residents to log roads-related faults, chat with agents, send feedback or receive messages using their smart cellphones – has won three prestigious awards at the 2014 Microsoft Partner Network Awards.
The first of its kind in South Africa and Southern Hemisphere”, the smartphone app scooped the Microsoft Application of the Year Award, Managing Director’s Award and Public Sector Industry Award at a glamorous gala dinner at the Inanda Club in Sandton recently.
The recognition came only four months after the app was launched. Microsoft SA, of the leading global software companies, says its annual awards honour partners “for delivering innovative solutions that directly address customer challenges”.
Coincidentally, the awards were bestowed on JRA at the start of this year’s Transport Month, during which the City is highlighting its achievements in improving the public transport system and showcasing initiatives aimed at taking public transport in the city to a higher level.
Reacting to the accolades, City of Johannesburg Member of the Mayoral Committee for Transport Councillor Christine Walters said this was a demonstration of the City’s commitment to delivering solutions that enhance residents’ experience on the city’s roads.
“I would like to congratulate the developers of the Find & Fix app for their innovation and their commitment to strengthening a culture of an engaged active citizenry,” MMC Walters said.
Interaction via the app is a fraction of the cost of making a phone call or sending an SMS. Significantly, it is also far cheaper than travelling to a customer service centre.
The app is the fastest, most convenient and cost-efficient way for residents to interact with the City. It enables residents to report potholes, faulty traffic signals, leaking storm water drains, missing manhole covers and other infrastructure defects to the JRA.
MMC Walters said the development of the app formed part of the JRA’s turnaround strategy and service delivery drive.
“The City is committed to becoming more accessible to citizens and road users and to developing itself into a centre of engineering excellence with enhanced service delivery and satisfied customers,” she said.
For Johannesburg residents, the Find & Fix app enables ongoing communication on service progress, facilitates faster turnaround times. It also allows for media alerts on hotspots and pre-reported issues in a specific journey area.
“The app will also assist us to ensure that Johannesburg, one of Africa’s largest economic hubs, benefits from improved road infrastructure due to faster call logging and fixing turnaround times,” said MMC Walters.