UPDATE
Improved Access to Jobs The DARTzoom Bus Network Redesign will increase the number of jobs that an average resident of the DART service area can reach in one hour by 34 percent compared to the existing bus network
New GoLink Zones An essential part of the new DART bus network is the expansion of GoLink , DART ’ s on-demand , curb-to-curb microtransit service solution that operates in zones across the DART service area . GoLink offers direct-request demand-responsive service with connections to other DART routes as well as curb-to-curb service anywhere within a specified zone . With the start of the new bus service schedule in 2022 , 13 new GoLink zones will be added , bringing the total to 30 . To ensure riders have the opportunity to experience GoLink for themselves before the bus service changes go into effect , all 30 zones will be active beginning December 6 , 2021 .
VIA , Masabi , and Transit app partner to Launch VIA goMobile + fare payment system
VIA Metropolitan Transit of San Antonio , Texas , announced the launch of its improved VIA goMobile + fare payment mobile app in partnership with Masabi and the Transit app . Riders will be able to purchase mobile fares anytime , anywhere , using either the new goMobile + app or Transit app , which combines real-time trip planning with payment in the app thousands of VIA riders use every month . The goMobile + app features an improved user-friendly design in English and Spanish , and stronger security features . Riders can visit any VIA Transit Center and use cash or card to buy mobile tickets or add funds to their account to be used in the goMobile + or Transit apps . And later this year , the app will integrate expanded payment options that will allow users to load value onto the app with cash at hundreds of local retailers . With the Transit app , VIA customers have access to an all-inone experience that combines mobile ticketing with trip planning , real-time tracking , and connections to first-mile / last-mile services . VIA ’ s mobile ticketing functionality is powered by Masabi ’ s Justride platform . By making mobile ticketing available in two applications , VIA is ensuring its riders have options and flexibility around fare payments for trips on any VIA service , including its buses , VIA Link , VIAtrans ( paratransit service ), and Special Event Service . The improved goMobile + app replaces the existing goMobile app , and aims to make the ticket purchasing process easier , safer and more convenient . The goMobile + app is free to download on Apple and Android devices . “ VIA is committed to bringing modern technology and payment options to our customers by introducing ticketing in goMobile + and Transit app ,” said VIA President / CEO Jeffrey C . Arndt . “ In doing so , we are providing the best technology platforms that will enable our customers to plan and pay for multi-modal trips in San Antonio . And with both apps allowing the use of credit card or cash payments , we are offering more solutions to help connect our customers with work , school , shopping and more .” “ The key to successfully modernizing public transit lies in maintaining its discoverability , accessibility and equity ,” said Brian Zanghi , CEO of Masabi . “ Simplifying the process of boarding and payment for public transit increases the appeal and utility to those using it , while creating a more efficient service with shorter dwell times and quicker journeys . We ’ re delighted to be working with VIA alongside our partners at Transit to help improve the experience for riders in San Antonio .” “ We make riding public transit as simple and stress-free as possible ,” said David Block-Schachter , chief business officer at Transit . “ VIA riders already rely on Transit to plan their next trip and track their ride in real time . By integrating goMobile + ticketing into Transit , VIA is giving riders everything they need in one place .”
Trapeze Group and Sentient Science announce collaboration to help agencies budget and optimize rail maintenance investments
The joint initiative integrates Sentient Science ' s prescriptive rail maintenance software within Trapeze ' s market-leading Enterprise Asset Management , Capital Planning , and State of Good Repair Tools . This collaboration allows rail transit agencies and railroads to measure the life extension and cost savings from rail grinding , milling and friction management , ultimately allowing agencies to make well-informed investment decisions . Trapeze Group , the global leader in transit technology , and Sentient Science , an industry leader in prescriptive rail maintenance software , announce their new collaboration to allow rail transit agencies and railroads to more easily plan , approve , and fund rail maintenance , ultimately reducing maintenance costs and extending rail life . Trapeze ’ s light , heavy , commuter , and intercity rail customers can effortlessly integrate DigitalClone for Rail ’ s track engineering data , economics , and physics-based models into their existing capital planning , budgeting , and work execution processes in the Trapeze EAM platform . Sentient Science ’ s DigitalClone for Rail Maintenance ( DC-RM ) software helps track engineers and chief engineers simulate and compare the life extension of different maintenance strategies including rail grinding , milling , friction management , and material selection . The software provides the business case to help identify each agency ’ s optimal rail maintenance strategy and make the work easier to approve . Trapeze EAM is the industry-leading asset management platform that is built for rail properties to enable easier capital planning through clear cost-benefit analysis of the work specifications , budget impact , future cost avoidance , and alternatives considered . “ The Federal Transit Agency ’ s Transit Asset Management and State of Good Repair initiatives show more evidence is required to support rail maintenance funding , and that these investments must be allocated and executed in the most effective way ,” said Wesley Thomas , senior vice president and general manager , Rail at Sentient Science . “ The rail and track are the most complex system at these agencies – both technically and financially - and we are excited for this joint initiative with Trapeze to make it easier for rail agencies to show they are maintaining their rail optimally , and ultimately saving money .” “ Through our collaboration with Sentient Science , rail customers can seamlessly go from Trapeze EAM to Sentient Science data from within the EAM Module ,” says Artur Miranda , manager , Partner Solutions & Alliances , Trapeze . “ Our customers now have a very robust toolset to reduce maintenance costs and extend rail life .”
12 | BUSRIDE . COM | OCTOBER 2021