PennDOT Completes Implementation of Technology Improving Shared-Ride Transit Services

PennDOT Completes Implementation of Technology Improving Shared-Ride
Transit Services

3/30/2018-KING OF PRUSSIA

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has completed a
project
installing standardized technology at 42 shared-ride transit providers
statewide, improving efficiency and service for the Pennsylvanians who use
the
door-to-door service in the 65 covered counties.
"Shared-ride transportation is vital to Pennsylvanians connecting to
medical
appointments, jobs, and their community," PennDOT Secretary Leslie S.
Richards
said. "Their time is valuable, and this technology helps maximize the
riders
and drivers' routes so we have the best use of time and resources
possible."
The service scheduling and dispatch software, called Ecolane, helps
providers
improve on-time performance, collect data, and maximize the number of trips

provided. In 22 counties, the public can view available travel options as
well
as reserve or cancel shared-ride trips at www.FindmyridePA.com.
To further increase customer service, the partnership is rolling out
interactive voice response technology which automatically call riders the
night
before their service informing them of their scheduled trips, call before
the
driver arrives at their location, and allow cancellation through the system

without having to call transit providers.
PennDOT will soon begin formal evaluations on effectiveness and cost
savings
associated with the technology, but it has already facilitated
efficiencies.
The common software ensures that service cooperation or consolidation is
seamless for riders.
One example of a consolidation facilitated by the technology is
rabbittransit's
consolidation of shared-ride service for 10 counties in south central
Pennsylvania by centralizing call taking, dispatching, and scheduling.
Another
example of operational benefits is Blair Senior Services, Inc. in Blair
County.
After implementing Ecolane, Blair used the data to reduce the number of
vehicles it needed to provide their service while increasing the number of
trips provided per service hour. Those changes help to control costs and
delay
fare increases.
Shared-ride service provides on-demand community transportation service and
is
available in all 67 counties. The Ecolane software is in use in all
counties
except Philadelphia and Allegheny, where the shared-ride service providers
have
their own software in use. Information on public transit options in
Pennsylvania is available on that page at www.penndot.gov under "Travel In
PA."

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