DDOT’s rideDC app gets a nod from Harvard

The District Department of Transportation’s rideDC trip-planning app is getting some love from the folks at Harvard’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation.

The app, which allows users to see all transport options around their location including buses, metro, bikeshare and more, is a semifinalist in the center’s 2017 Innovations in American Government Awards.

DDOT's rideDC Trip Planner App named semifinalist @HarvardAsh 2017 Innovations in American Government Awards. Read https://t.co/Qbd3KbHfYS

— DDOT DC (@DDOTDC) January 31, 2017

There were 500 applicants from all over the country for this year’s Awards; rideDC is now among a group of 100 that will be whittled down to a final 10. These 10 will travel to Cambridge, Mass., to present their innovations and vie for a $100,000 grand prize.

The Innovations Awards, and the $100,000 prize, are seen as ways to identify and highlight particularly innovative solutions developed by the public sector. The Ash Center hopes that winning ideas will become “best practices” for other governments or agencies.

According to a DDOT spokesperson, Harvard’s Ash Center will send “site evaluators and panel of experts” to inspect each of the 100 semifinalists before deciding on a final 10. The Center expects to name these 10 in March.

Does rideDC have what it takes?

So many transit options! (Screenshot)