City launches new 311 mobile app

There is a new wayfor Calgarians toreport potholes, graffiti and other problems to the city.

Calgary today introduced a new smartphone application to handle complaints about municipal services.

The 311 Calgaryapp will allowcity residentsto use smartphones to report problems such as potholes, graffiti and dirty parks.The app allows the user tosend photos of the problem and to report the exact location using the GPS found in many smartphones.

The city says it receives hundreds of duplicate complaints about problems with municipal servicesand this app will allow it to streamline the requests. Calgarians will also be able to track the progress of their complaints on the city's website.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi says the new app will not result in layoffsof workers at the 311 call centre. He saysit will let the city respond more effectively to complaints.

Nenshi says development ofthe app cost the city about $90,000.