The City of Arlington has now launched a new text messaging tool that allows residents to report issues and ask questions in a fully-interactive user interface. Issues that residents are encouraged to report include potholes, stray animals and similar. The interactive text message tool can also be used to find information about city services, like events and recycling pick-up dates.
The City was drawn to the Citibot solution due to its user-friendly simplicity. Visitors can use the tool, too, to answer questions like “How do I get a pet license?” The interactive chatbot then replies with links to relevant information on the City of Arlington’s website.
When residents report an issue, Citibot even follows up to let the reporting user know when the issue has been taken care of.
How do I use the City of Arlington Citibot?
Just text “hello” to 817-409-4110. You can then enter questions or keywords.
The director of Communication and Legislative Affairs for the City, Jay Warren, was quoted saying, “We’re always looking for ways to put technology to work and offer our residents easier ways to report and resolve issues in their neighborhoods. With Citibot, one text is all it takes to streamline the reporting process for residents, allowing them to make The American Dream City a better place to live, learn, work and play.”
How did Citibot come to Arlington?
Arlington has become an early adopter of this text tool, and is only the second city in Texas (and also the largest) to implement it. This one-year initiative, funded by the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, is meant to “test the waters” to see how much residents and visitors use the tool.
Citibot LLC was formed in 2016 in Charleston, South Carolina with the mission to make cities and counties—and all their services—accessible for everyone.
“People’s expectations of high-quality customer service are ever-increasing,” said Bratton Riley, co-founder and CEO of Citibot. “Cities like Arlington are leading the way by delivering powerful solutions to maximize efficiency and enhance access to information and vital services.”
About Citibot:
Citibot is a clever tool with real-life, daily applications for city residents around the country. It was designed to facilitate residents and their governments to use easier and more efficient communication for civic change and access to services. For more information, visit http://citibot.io or connect with Citibot on Facebook (/citibotio) or Twitter (@citibot_io).
