Popular Urban Navigation Site HopStop Expands to 57 Global Markets, Introduces Advanced Search Features and Localized Content Powered by Leading Brands

NEW YORK, June 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

HopStop (http://www.hopstop.com), a leading provider of pedestrian navigation and mobile transit services, announced today the expansion of its platform into 20 new metropolitan markets, now totaling 57 global markets. Additionally, HopStop has introduced advanced navigation tools and highly customized, local content through partnerships with Hertz, Yelp, Limos.com and Zvents to enable its growing audience of more than 4 million monthly users to better experience their cities.

"HopStop has a very passionate customer base, and we're dedicated to providing a scalable platform that helps them easily get from point A to point B. Responding to what we've consistently heard from our users, these new tools offer them more control over their navigation experience, new markets to explore, and easy access to the most relevant, local information," said Joe Meyer, CEO of HopStop. "With 72 percent of HopStop visitors using the service within 24 hours of their last visit, we've expanded the functionality and features of our platform to create even higher value and engagement for current and new users alike. Advertisers will also have more ways to connect with HopStop's active, savvy users through highly geo-targeted ad campaigns that contain locally relevant messages and offers based on their specific travel plans and whereabouts."

Based on extensive user feedback, HopStop has expanded its existing routing platform with new navigational tools to offer users additional modes of transportation, customized content based on their location, enhanced search functionality, and social tools for increased utility.

More Transportation Options

Through a partnership with Connect by Hertz, HopStop users can now select hourly car rental as a preferred mode of local transportation in addition to bicycle, bus only, subway/rail only, subway/rail or bus, taxi, and walking. HopStop users will be able to access customized walking directions to and from the nearest Connect by Hertz location to reserve and pick up their vehicle, and also receive round-trip driving directions integrated within the search result for a complete, door-to-door navigational experience. Taxi directions now include accurate time and fare estimates, as well as discounted, real-time black car bookings powered by Limos.com.

"We want to help everyone enjoy the benefits of using a car to meet their everyday travel needs, without necessarily having to own one, and now all HopStop users will have seamless access to our service when planning their next local trip, all within a navigation service that they've come to know and trust," said Amanda Delorme, Director of Advantage Marketing at Connect by Hertz. "By partnering, we will also launch a unique advertising program to engage HopStop's audience of active, on-the-go urbanites who can gain the most from hourly car services."

City-Specific Content

Introducing local time and weather information for each US market, HopStop will also offer users easy access to locally-relevant content including popular places based on its search data, reviews of the best nearby businesses on Yelp, daily deals powered by Groupon, and events provided by Zvents. Through integrations with these leading services, HopStop has created a robust local experience for users of its transit-routing service.

"HopStop has always done a great job of helping people navigate a city and we're excited they are using our API to integrate Yelp content into their user experience," said Geoff Donaker, COO, Yelp. "Routing your way across town can turn into a real urban adventure if you have Yelp reviews to highlight great businesses and local spots along the way."

Easier Ways to Navigate and Search for the Best Route

Creating an easier way for local residents and tourists alike to reach their preferred destination, HopStop now offers one-way, round-trip and multi-stop search options within its main navigational menu. In HopStop's new search interface, users can also customize their route with a number of advanced options that will further enable them to narrow their search and find their preferred route. Additionally, HopStop users can navigate not only within their chosen market, but from city to city as well via Amtrak and regional bus routes.

New Social Media Tools to Connect with Friends and Check-In in Advance

Through integrations with Twitter and Facebook, HopStop now offers its users an innovative Advance Check-In tool to let friends know where they're going and when they will arrive. HopStop users can also share a URL-shortened direction link through tweets or Facebook posts, thereby enabling friends to navigate to that location and meet them. HopStop will also feature user-submitted photos on each of its custom market homepages for all 57 cities, as well as a live-feed of HopStop-related conversations on Twitter.

About HopStop

HopStop (http://www.hopstop.com), a leading location-based service, provides door-to-door walking, biking and mass transit directions to city residents and tourists alike. The company is building the first national network to facilitate and encourage intra-city as well as city-to-city travel by aggregating hundreds of transit systems into one streamlined navigational user experience. The company's environmentally-friendly service is currently available in 57 major markets including Albany, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas Dover/Wilmington, Hartford, London, Long Island, Los Angeles, Miami/South Florida, Milwaukee, Moscow, New Jersey, New York City, Paris, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, Putnam/Westchester County (Metro North), Raleigh, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Saint Petersburg (Russia) and Washington, DC. HopStop also offers point-to-point directions and mapping services (and the locations of nearby subway stations and bus stops) via a wide array of mobile applications (http://www.hopstop.com/mobile) including industry-leading iPhone (http://www.HopStop.com/iPhone) and Android (http://www.HopStop.com/Android) apps, a popular mobile site (http://m.hopstop.com), as well as advanced SMS capabilities for requesting and receiving directions while on-the-go. HopStop is based in New York City, and is financed by private investors.

For media inquiries, contact:
Julie Nicholson
Weber Shandwick for HopStop
+1-212-445-8371
jnicholson@webershandwick.com