How Transit Agencies Can Get More People 'On Board' with Transit Tech

Transport authorities around the nation are navigating lower ridership levels, declining air quality, and growing financial pressures.

This year’s National Get on Board Day (April 25) is a great chance to raise awareness about the importance of public transportation, showcasing the many benefits it brings to communities.

Increasing usage of public transit has an important role to play in our fight against climate change, along with contributing to the vitality and resilience of cities. Statistics show that for every $1 invested in public transportation, communities can gain an economic return that’s over four times higher. It’s also one of the best ways to alleviate urban issues such as traffic congestion, noise, and air pollution, accelerating our transition to smart mobility systems that are sustainable, equitable, and efficient.

Digital solutions are providing the tools needed for transit providers to elevate their operations as well as modernize their digital infrastructure, allowing them to move away from outdated systems and models while catering to the evolving needs of riders.

Making transit accessible, adaptable, and easy to use is one of the surest ways to get more people “on board,” and agencies can achieve this with the help of technology.

4 Ways Tech Can Get Riders “On Board” Public Transit

Investing in transit tech should be a priority for any transport provider looking to increase ridership and thrive in today's highly competitive landscape. Here are four ways that technology can help get more riders “on board” public transit.

1. An integrated approach meets rider expectations for seamless transit experiences. - Transit authorities are looking to MaaS (Mobility as a Service) and how it can contribute to their mobility goals by increasing the accessibility of public transit, filling gaps in services and assisting in first-last mile connections.

Integrating MaaS into public transit makes it possible to provide end-to-end customer experiences that are seamless along with enhancing multimodality across networks. By digitally connecting different transport options, information, and payment services into a single ecosystem, agencies can make public transit more attractive to users, leading to an increase in ridership.

While MaaS does not necessarily increase the availability of transport services, it does help facilitate a smoother and more streamlined experience when using them. The availability of these services could reduce vehicle ownership in the future by giving users access to a network of modes from different providers to meet their mobility needs.

2. Leveraging advanced technological solutions is crucial to improving operations and increasing ridership. - Artificial Intelligence (AI), in combination with Machine Learning (ML) solutions, has the potential to revolutionize how cities manage and optimize their mobility systems. When integrated into public transit, they can help reduce manual monitoring and increase network automation, enhancing the safety, efficiency, and comfort of passengers onboard transit vehicles.

Transport authorities can use these technologies to gain actionable insights regarding how to optimize routes, allocate resources wherever needed, and create services that are in demand.

Real-time data makes it easier to predict and react to any unfolding situation on the road, further driving customer satisfaction and helping to create better transit experiences by reducing delays.

Machine learning techniques can be used to collect data from various sources, like sensors, cameras, and external databases, successfully measuring and analyzing the impact of any external influences on ridership. Agencies can adapt services accordingly by looking at these reports along with predicting the maintenance needs for their vehicle fleets.

3. Deploying the right digital solutions increases the adoption rate of services across networks. - The South Central Transit Authority’s deployment of a digital mobility solution stands as a prime example of how agencies can leverage technology to improve rider experience, leading to higher adoption rates of services.

SCTA established a comprehensive 360-degree mobility platform with account-based fare collection and contactless ticketing, allowing users to travel across their networks more easily and conveniently.

By introducing an account-based approach to fare collection, the agency was able to improve connectivity and increase ridership by making public transit services more connected, affordable, and accessible. As a result, an extremely high adoption rate of 95% was reported for the mobile ticketing platform.

Furthermore, the platform’s real-time feedback option facilitates two-way communication with customers to help solve their reported issues promptly — sometimes as soon as their next bus stop. The ability to gain 24-hour access to accounts and purchased fares, in combination with AVL capabilities and customer feedback has greatly contributed to improving customer satisfaction.

4. Legacy technology isn’t capable of accommodating the impending influx of passengers or their expectations for a secure, convenient and streamlined ridership. - Modern AFC (Automated Fare Collection) systems make it possible for agencies to transcend past barriers of conventional fare collection systems by facilitating better connectivity and user experience, allowing for the continuous exchange of real-time rider data.

AFC technology, particularly mobile ticketing, enables riders to pay for their fares using their mobile devices or any smart wearables, simplifying and speeding up the experience of traveling. Users can conveniently load funds into their accounts as well as gain access to real-time data to assist them on their journeys.

On the back end, operators can adjust fares and monitor rider behavior and preferences, allowing them to optimize routes and offer the best services possible.

Real-Time Passenger Information Systems (RTPIS) collects real-time data regarding the location of vehicles, schedules, route status updates, wait times, or any potential disruptions to services, such as traffic or an accident that would require an alternative route.

Since Account-based Fare Collection Systems store information on the cloud as opposed to on-premise hardware solutions, digital connectivity is no longer an issue for agencies meaning they can focus on providing better transit experiences to riders along with improving their operations.

Tech Bringing New Opportunities

The adoption of technological solutions brings many new and exciting prospects and opportunities so it's up to transportation authorities to make the most of them.

Increasing ridership aboard public transit requires a comprehensive approach, with technology being at the forefront as an investment worth venturing into. Moving forward, we can use transit tech to help us create resilient mobility systems that are sustainable, citizen-oriented, and highly connected.