MBTA, AlphaRoute Hit 1M Optimized Trips on Paratransit System
Boston MBTA’s The Ride pioneered the use of TNCs in paratransit back in 2016. Since then, the agency has been a reference nationwide on how to efficiently use non-dedicated service providers.
In 2023, the MBTA selected AlphaRoute’s innovative tool, NDSP Optimization, to daily optimize trips across multiple transportation options.
Photo: MBTA
Last month, Boston MBTA’s The Ride paratransit service hit one million optimized trips in 2024, thanks in part to a partnership with AlphaRoute.
Boston MBTA’s The Ride pioneered the use of TNCs in paratransit back in 2016. Since then, the agency has been a reference nationwide on how to efficiently use non-dedicated service providers (NDSP).
As NDSP options and NDSP ridership grew for paratransit riders, the MBTA continued to search for tools that could help its scheduling and dispatch teams optimize paratransit service across different transportation options.
The AlphaRoute Partnership
In 2023, the MBTA selected AlphaRoute’s innovative tool, NDSP Optimization, to daily optimize trips across multiple transportation options.
NDSP Optimization looks at all trips scheduled for tomorrow to define which trips shall be kept in the dedicated service and which eligible trips shall be outsourced to each NDSP provider. It also assigns eligible NDSP trips to the most cost effective NDSP provider available for that trip.
The company’s web-based optimization tool augments the performance of legacy paratransit scheduling systems to improve service, maximize efficiency, and generate substantial cost savings. It is also fully customizable with local operational parameters and contractual requirements.
So far in 2024, AlphaRoute has optimized, on average, over 100,000 trips per month with extremely low errors and very high availability — over 99.9% of all trips are optimized.
Benefits of AlphaRoute Technology
The implementation of the NDSP Optimization tool saved hours of work per day for the scheduling team. Before utilizing the company’s tool, MBTA would have to manually look for the best trips to outsource.
Now, they can have the best trips available to them in a click of a button, optimizing more than 4,000 paratransit trips in just over a minute. The financial benefit of this tool for the MBTA is estimated to be several million dollars per year. The average net savings per trip outsourced using NDSP Optimization is around $22 dollars
More Paratransit
New York MTA Leverages Zoning Program to Advance Station Accessibility
Accessibility enhancements at Nevins St Station will be financed through a development agreement tied to the MTA's Zoning for Accessibility initiative.
Read More →
Reinventing Fleet Maintenance with Real-time Visibility and AI
Transit leaders need to know what needs fixing, where to look, who is responsible, when work is completed, and what it costs without having to chase information across disconnected systems.
Read More →
SamTrans Sets Priorities for Potential Connect Bay Area Revenue
The board-approved framework allocates future funding to maintaining service, rider improvements, equity initiatives, and infrastructure repairs.
Read More →
Chicago's NITA Act Moves Into Next Phase as Service Improvements Begin
Rider-focused improvements will begin rolling out across the system immediately as CTA, Metra, and Pace increase service this summer in the six-county region.
Read More →
Low-Floor vs. High-Floor Cutaway vs. Modified Van: How 3 Accessible Minibus Designs Compare
As transit demands evolve, so should your fleet. Download the whitepaper to see how the Low-Floor Frontrunner Minibus compares to traditional options.
Read More →
2026 METRO Buyer’s Guide & Directory
Searching for the right vehicles, technology, equipment, or services for your public transit or motorcoach operation? This industry guide brings together manufacturers and suppliers from across the transportation market — all in one place. Download it to connect with the companies that help agencies and operators improve mobility, enhance operations, and move their organizations forward.
Read More →
Rays the Mark Foundation to Honor CDTA’s Emily DeVito at October Fundraiser
Event at Chicago-area Ravisloe Country Club will support DeVito, a transit employee and mother of twins battling kidney failure and awaiting a transplant.
Read More →
King County Test Heliox Chargers, Keolis Lands California Contract Top Biz Briefs
Stay informed with these quick takes on the projects and companies driving progress across the transportation landscape.
Read More →
Spare Expands AI-Native Operations Platform With Fixed-Route Capabilities
The launch marks a major milestone in Spare’s vision for unified transit operations.
Read More →
Via Announces Scheduling and Supply Studio
The Scheduling and Supply Studio provides the world’s first fully integrated platform for optimizing vehicle and driver availability to rider demand, said company officials.
Read More →