Rob Thompson Manager of Grants, Capital Projects and Procurements

Technology: We All Want It, But At What Cost

Small Operator Perspective

• 12 Paratransit Vehicles • 44 Fixed Route Buses • Approx 1.3M Passengers Annually • Contracted Operations & Maintenance • Small Agency staff – 7

WestCAT

• Lessen burden on staff • Can Solve issue – help resolve complaints • Enhance Reporting Capabilities

• NTD • Monthly Reports

• Customer Service

What can Technology do for us?

• Automated Paratransit Scheduling • Time saver?

• Mobile Data Terminals (MDT’s) • Promise, but implementation hurdles

• Voice Annunciation System • ADA compliance • Stand alone system • Triggered by driver

• First generation AVL system • Neighborhood complaints (speeding) • Record of data – not Real Time

WestCAT – early Technology

• Electronic Fareboxes • Electronic tickets

• Scheduling Software • To relieve burden on staff • Initial installation

Technology Advances – 2008-10

Schedules - Excel

• Real Time Departure System

• Upgraded AVL & Voice Annunciation system

• Part of Regional 511 Real Time System

• Adds more layers to the Scheduling process

Next Generation Technology

AVL / Real Time Software

• Holidays • School • BART strikes / Bridge Closures

Updating

• Ties Real Time AVL system to Headsigns, Voice Annunciator and Farebox

• Server Issues • Communication Issues • Updates • Headsigns Incompatibility across fleet

Single Point log in – Benefits vs. Constraints

• Reporting Software • Using technology to tie data together

Last piece of the technology puzzle?

• Saving Staff time • Do you have the right staff

• Technology can complicate things – Updates to software

• Who does updates – You or the Vendor? • You may never fulfill your expectations • Technology can change overnight

Will Technology help?

Rob Thompson Manager of Grants, Capital Projects

and Procurements

rob@westcat.org