ATLANTA, GA and SHERMAN, TX--(Marketwired - Feb 24, 2014) - Texoma Paratransit System (TAPS) has reported that the organization has experienced operational improvements across its Demand Response and Fixed Route services by continually adopting RouteMatch Software's intelligent transportation system (ITS) technologies. The Texas agency has experienced greater cost savings, increased ridership and passengers per revenue mile, as well as a reduction in no-shows.
Serving seven counties in a region approximately 62 miles north of Dallas, TAPS implemented RouteMatch's technology platform as well as tablet mobile data devices and Notification Module for improved passenger communications and automated phone reservation system. Together, this platform of ITS technologies has allowed TAPS to evolve from a traditionally operated demand response provider to an agency that has added fixed route services and has become more agile and efficient in serving an expanding rural and urban region.
"There are so many RouteMatch tools and features we have used that have been to our benefit," says Brad Underwood, TAPS CEO and Executive Director. "My particular favorite is the notification tool. We have received many compliments from customers who are happy with this function. If you're a heavy demand response system like TAPS, your clients always want to know when their bus will be there and be reminded of their appointments. This tool lets them have that information at their fingertips."
Customer-facing technology solutions such as the Notification Module not only produce rider goodwill, but have also saved TAPS money, lowered the cancellation rate, and reduced the number of no-shows. "It has been a great asset," explains Underwood. "This year the tool will pay for itself just in the area of no-shows, and not wasting dispatching or driver resources. It also opens up the schedule so that we can serve someone else, when there's a need."
TAPS has increased ridership to 497,000 in 2013, with a goal of 700,000 in 2014. TAPS performs approximately 3,000-3,500 trips per day, with 1,200-1,500 of these being demand response. In 2013, the agency added three additional deviated fixed routes, bringing their number of fixed routes to 15.
RouteMatch scheduling and routing technology helped make this expansion possible. As Underwood explains, "We were able to see all of our historical data in RouteMatch. By analyzing RouteMatch reports for where most of our demand response trips were going, we could then plan our additional fixed route trips. Not having to perform individual demand response trips is saving us a lot of money."
But perhaps the greatest improvement in terms of overall efficiencies and operational improvements has been TAPS' use of tablet technologies. In early 2012, TAPS made the decision to invest in RouteMatch's tablet solution after evaluating costlier alternatives.
The agency determined that the tablet's combination of flexible technology, reliability and web-enabled driver/dispatcher communications abilities was the best choice for a transit agency that values and implements innovative solutions. The tablets were pre-loaded and configured to automatically connect with RouteMatch's end-to-end passenger and vehicle management platform and integrated peripheral devices.
"The tablets have become a way of life in our organization," says Underwood. "At first, our drivers were a bit skeptical, but our operators and drivers simply love the tablets. They also have the ability to gather data for National Transportation Database (NTD) reports."
Moving further into 2014, TAPS has some big plans. There is potential to add 16 highly populated counties to their service area due to increases in Medicaid-related transportation needs.
"Software and technology hardware are constantly changing," Underwood says. "What stands out to me about RouteMatch is the support you get. From the very beginning, that was important to us and we have always been able to have our support needs met. When we were looking to choose partners for TAPS, we were looking for a long-term strategic partner, and we found that with RouteMatch."
"RouteMatch continues to be impressed and honored to work closely with our customers and friends at TAPS," says Tim Quinn, Executive Vice President at RouteMatch. "They have maintained a strategic outlook on how they operate and seek to improve -- whether it be through automated scheduling and dispatching, tablets, or the notification module. We look forward to continuing our partnership with them as they grow."
About Texoma Area Paratransit System (TAPS Public Transit)
TAPS Public Transit is a community-based public transportation agency that provides on-demand, curb-to-curb and fixed route services in Clay, Collin, Cooke, Fannin, Grayson, Montague, and Wise counties. Recognized as one of the nation's most admired regional agencies, TAPS is known as an innovator in public transportation. For nearly 30 years, TAPS has served the North Texas region with a focus on providing accessible, affordable transportation for the underprivileged, elderly, and disabled. In recent years, TAPS has established itself as a trusted operator of fixed route systems for both rural and urban areas.
About RouteMatch Software
RouteMatch Software is the leading provider of passenger transportation technologies and mobility management solutions. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, GA and works with more than 600 transit agencies across the U.S. and internationally, providing quality software and customer service. Partnering with public and private sector passenger transportation providers, the company's products address routing, scheduling, dispatching, billing, reporting, fixed route, CAD/AVL, demand response and fixed route integration, traveler information services, mobility management, business analytics, and more. Additional information about RouteMatch's ITS technologies are available at www.routematch.com or by calling RouteMatch toll-free at (US) 1-888-840-8791.
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RouteMatch Software
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