(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Dawson Thompson

Mobile App

City proposes new mobile app for easy access to services

Sep 21, 2021 | 10:00 AM

In a move to make access to city services a bit easier, the City of Prince Albert proposed a new mobile app to city council, at their meeting on Monday.

Mobile apps have been used by quite a few cities across the country, and are used to easily connect residents to the most accessed online information and services.

Data shows, in Prince Albert some of the most popular online city information and services sought after are, transit routes, airline arrivals and departures, events calendar, news and notices, job postings, road closure notices, and parking ticket payments.

The advantages of the project would be improved customer service and more streamlined communication with residents, as users would no longer need to sort through the city’s website to find the information they are looking for. The app would also allow for push notifications where residents will receive alerts.

Research has shown that 69 percent of people who access the city’s website, are doing so by using a mobile device or tablet.

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In 2020, Moose Jaw released a similar app. Over the past year they have noticed a steady uptake in their mobile app platform. To date, they have 7,157 downloads which represents 21.7 per cent of their population.

“The app will bring the services to one location so the person can find them easier, than searching through the site,” Kiley Bear, the city’s communications manager said at the meeting. “It has value, and I think there is an opportunity there to capitalize on the interest that there is, especially as people move online.

“Sixty-nine per cent of our users are on mobile devices or tablets so there is sort of a market there to tap into.”

Three different options for an app are being explored, a ‘Traditional One-Way Communication Mobile App,’ a ‘Request for Service Integrated Mobile App,’ and a ‘Customized Resident Centered Portal.’

The ‘Traditional One-Way’ app would essentially provide the public with links to popular features on the city’s website and would allow for push notifications to be made which are limited to a max of one per week and are reserved for larger issues.

The ‘Request for Service’ app provides the same features but allows for residents to submit concerns through online forms and create work orders for city staff.

The ‘Customized Resident Centered’ app provides the same features as well but links the resident to a personal account that they have set-up with the city. This will allow for online statements and payments to be made. This option is the one being recommended at the moment.

One concern that was brought up, was the apps usability and making sure it would be used enough in Prince Albert.

“Will people use this? Will seniors use this,” Councillor Dennis Ogrodnick said. “There are a lot of people in our community, I’m sure who don’t have access to the technology as well. It doesn’t mean that everyone has to use it, but I am not sure if the general public will use this.

“I think it’s a great idea, and I would sign up. But, I am not sure how well it would be used.”

$23,000 was asked to be included in the 2022 budget deliberations for the implementation of and annual upkeep of the app.

The project was approved by councillors, 7-2 with councillors Don Cody and Blake Edwards voting against it.

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Dawson.thompson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @dawsonthompson8