Community

What is Paratransit Software?

The Americans with Disabilities ACT (ADA) requires transit agencies that provide fixed route service to also provide parallel or complementary service to individuals with disabilities who cannot use the fixed route bus or rail service. The ADA classifies access to this transportation service as a civil right for a select population and lays out minimum service characteristics to ensure equivalent service.

What is ITS Fixed Route Software?

When asked to describe our solution, we usually say it’s “scheduling and routing software”, “CAD/AVL software” or even “ITS fixed route software”. But if you’re unfamiliar with the jargon, these descriptors don’t do much to dispel the haze. In this post, we’ll walk you through what Intelligent Transportation Systems are, the core technology applications and what TripSpark’s solution entails.

What is Mobility on Demand?

There are a lot of new concepts and ideas brewing in the Transitverse, oftentimes with overlapping definitions and blurred categorizations, creating confusion. Today we look at the emerging concept of Mobility on Demand (MOD).

TripSpark Launches MyRide Infotainment

It’s the beginning of the end for printed bus schedules.

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority made transit headlines in early August when they announced they were working to stop posting printed schedules at all bus stops in order to save $500,000 a year. Instead, they will direct all inquiries to their passenger information system.

Five Ways Technology Can Help Riders with Mental Health Conditions

In any given year, 1 in 5 adults will experience a mental health problem or illness, meaning nearly 20% of the population could face difficulty or feel discomfort when using public transit.

A new report titled Mental Health and Travel from…

Transit Has Important Role To Play for Seniors Who Want to Age In Place

It’s another feather in transit’s cap. Affordable, accessible transit is proven to increase mobility and a person’s satisfaction with their neighborhood among low-income seniors who want to remain in their homes.

The Aging in Place…

Increasing Passenger Confidence and Independence with Paratransit Self-Service Portal

While filming our customer success story in St. John’s, Newfoundland, we had the opportunity to interview GoBus paratransit rider Mandy Penney, to talk about her experience using TripSpark’s Passenger Portal and text notifications.

How…

Survey Says: The Six Benefits of Real-Time Information Systems

Transit research on riders' responses to service delays and their corresponding use of passenger information systems has recently advanced from theoretical models to more realistic computer simulations and real-life data analysis. We scoured…

Vanpool Rebrand Boosts Local Engagement

What do you do when your rideshare program shares the title of a 1965 Beatles’ hit, Ticket to Ride, and confused locals aren't getting on board? Like the Fab Four, you re-brand – but with less sitars.

At the end of May, The Kentuckiana…

FTA Announces $15 Million in Funding For Integrated Mobility Innovation

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) currently has two rounds of grant funding open for buses and Integrated Mobility Innovation. Check out more program details below, and get your applications in!

Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities…

The History of Carpooling

Ridesharing or carpooling began as a conservation method to save rubber, gas, and wear-and-tear on vehicles during the Second World War. In the 1940s, before computer databases and automated matching, the U.S. Office of Civilian Defense…

MyRide Infotainment Helps Rock Hill Transit Go “High Tech”

The City of Rock Hill, South Carolina has been transit-less for years, until now. The city of 70,000 leapfrogged traditional, diesel transit vehicles and will be rolling out a new fleet of electric buses this summer offering free rides, Wi-fi,…

The Billion Dollar Question: Is Transit Worth The Big Spend?

In March 2019, the Canadian Urban Transit Association released a report, "The Economic Impact of Transit Investment in Canada", that examined the return on investment on funds spent to preserve and expand Canada’s transit systems. Do tax…

Why Waiting for the Bus in a Snow Storm isn’t Fun, Besides the Obvious Reasons

This winter, Ontario was hit with a series of late snow storms, which wreaked havoc with traffic and snow removal. The City of Barrie transit agency was also experiencing delays, and encouraged riders to check MyRide, their real-time…

Part 2: Using Technology to Coordinate NEMT and Transit Services

In part 2 in our series on Using Technology to Coordinate NEMT and Transit Services, we will look at how NEMT brokers and transit agencies can negotiate a mutually beneficial rate for services. If you haven’t already, check out part 1 here.…

Part 3: Using Technology to Coordinate NEMT and Transit Services

Welcome to part 3 in our series Using Technology to Coordinate NEMT and Transit Services. Check out Part 1 and Part 2, if you haven’t already.

The TCRP researchers spoke with NEMT and Transit stakeholders and found all were united in their…