York, Pa.-based public transportation operator, rabbittransit announced plans to implement an interactive voice response (IVR) system to assist paratransit riders in accessing their reservation information.

For riders who are registered for this free service, they will receive an automated phone call the day before their trip with their pick-up time information rather than having to call rabbittransit the evening before for the information.

The IVR system, supplied by Trapeze at a cost of $300,000, is phase one of a larger plan of technological system updates that rabbittransit received special funding to benefit its passengers. Other initiatives include automatic vehicle locator (AVL) technology in which all rabbittransit vehicles are being outfitted with new equipment.

This will enable the transit authority to track important ridership statistics and vehicle data, which will be tied to providing real-time passenger information. One of the later phases will include the ability for online trip planning through the organization’s Website.

“We’re very excited at the prospect of maximizing technology to enhance our customer’s experience and provide service information in real time,” said rabbittransit Executive Director Richard Farr. “This use of technology will allow us to provide a more efficient and productive service.”

Paratransit or “curb-to-curb” service accounts for more than 200,000 trips each year.