The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) recently completed installing standardized technology at 42 shared-ride transit providers.
The technology will improve the door-to-door service, PennDOT said.
Shared-ride transportation is scheduled like a taxi but carries multiple passengers. Seniors, the disabled and those needing medical assistance are eligible.
The state installed software that improves scheduling. It also incorporates interactive voice response technology that automatically calls riders the night before their service and before the driver arrives at his location. It also allows cancellation without having to call transit providers.
The software will be used by all but two of the state’s counties.
“Shared-ride transportation is vital to Pennsylvanians connecting to medical appointments, jobs, and their community,” PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards said. “Their time is valuable, and this technology helps maximize the riders’ and drivers’ routes so we have the best use of time and resources possible.”
PennDOT will begin evaluating the effectiveness and cost savings of the technology.
The software, Ecolane, is used by Blair Senior Services in Blair County. The company used the software to reduce the number of vehicles needed while increasing the number of trips provided per hour. This delayed fare increases by controlling costs.
Rabbittransit’s consolidated shared-ride service for 10 counties in south central Pennsylvania with Ecolane.