Transit Resources

Computer-Aided Dispatch Automatic Vehicle Location (CAD/AVL) is the backbone of modern transit management. The solution provides the tools to deliver safer, more reliable, and more efficient service. It powers digital tools to assign and manage vehicles, replacing traditional radio-based dispatch with a data-driven future-facing solution.

Boca Raton, FL – January 10, 2024 — ETAs (ETA), a trailblazing provider of innovative transit solutions, proudly announces the successful deployment of its state-of-the-art onboard infotainment system for Valley Regional Transit in Boise, Idaho. This achievement signifies a major advancement in elevating the passenger experience and ushering in a new era of intelligent transit technology. Valley Regional Transit (VRT) has long been dedicated to delivering efficient and enjoyable public transportation services to the community. With the integration of ETAs' onboard infotainment system, passengers can now enjoy a seamless journey with access to real-time transit information, multimedia options, and real-time rider alerts. Key features of the onboard infotainment system include: Real-Time Transit Information: Passengers can stay informed about bus schedules, routes, and arrival times in real-time, ensuring a more predictable and convenient travel experience." Infotainment Content: The system offers a variety of real-time data feeds, including RSS feeds, weather, and news, providing passengers with an engaging journey. Interactive Maps: Geolocation-enabled interactive maps help passengers track their journey progress, making navigation through the transit system more intuitive. Emergency Alerts and Notifications: In case of emergencies or important announcements, the system delivers instant alerts and notifications to keep passengers informed and safe. Integrated Next Stop Announcements: The infotainment system seamlessly integrates with the existing onboard announcements system. Accessibility Features: Designed with accessibility in mind, the system includes integrated onboard announcements that synchronize next stop information by aligning onboard audio and display text. Enhance Data Accessibility: The project aims to increase data availability to the City's operations, thereby improving transit management, service planning, and reporting. ETAs proudly upholds its commitment to innovation and the continuous enhancement of public transportation. The deployment of the onboard infotainment system in partnership with Valley Regional Transit exemplifies this dedication. "We are thrilled to commemorate our 3-year anniversary with VRT. Our collaboration underscores our ongoing commitment to enhancing the passenger experience and transforming public transportation into a more connected and enjoyable journey," said John Maglio, President at ETAs. "Our latest onboard infotainment system, in synergy with ETA’s innovative CAD/AVL system, revolutionizes the way our riders receive information,” said VRT’s CEO, Elaine Clegg. “It offers our customers the convenience of real-time bus tracking, schedule updates, and essential announcements.” Nick Moran, IT Manager at VRT, states “ETA has skillfully overseen the project's execution, and we eagerly anticipate extending this enhanced capability throughout our entire fleet," added Nick Moran, IT Manager at VRT. For more information about ETAs and its pioneering Infotainment project with the Valley Regional Transit (VRT), please visit etatransit.com/solutions/infotainment/ or contact: Jose Mostajo Sales Manager jmostajo@etatransit.com (954) 778-1783 Facebook: @ETATransit Twitter: @ETATransit LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/etatransit #ETATransit #MeetSPOT #RideVRT About ETA ETAs specializes in CAD/AVL technology to include: automatic passenger counting (APC), GTFS and GTFS-RT, Infotainment, traveler information systems, and digital display systems, for public transit agencies, universities, and other shuttle bus operations across the United States. For more information, visit etatransit.com, email sales@etatransit.com, or call (800) 382-0917. About Valley Regional Transit Valley Regional Transit (VRT) has been connecting people to the community they love to live in for over 20 years and is the regional public transportation authority for Ada and Canyon counties. VRT services include 22 bus routes, on-demand bus service in Eagle and Canyon County, and numerous specialized transportation options. For more information, please visit rideVRT.org.

Sandy Brennan, Vice President at Foursquare Integrated Transportation Planning and Mass Transit Magazine's 40 Under 40 awardee, joins hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono to discuss her TCRP Report 245 on transit worker mental health. Content Warning: This episode discusses mental health challenges, workplace trauma, and violence that some listeners may find distressing. Sandy reveals that over one-third of frontline transit workers show signs of anxiety or depression, exploring how COVID-19 intensified isolation and mistrust in the industry. The conversation covers practical solutions from agencies like VTA, TriMet, and IndyGo, including crisis response teams, mentorship programs, and innovative support systems. Key topics include the unique stresses facing bus operators and mechanics, the importance of building trust between workers and management, and how agencies can implement effective mental health programs regardless of size or budget. TCRP Report 245: Mental Health, Wellness, and Resilience for Transit System Workers https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27592/mental-health-wellness-and-resilience-for-transit-system-workers

In this episode of Stop Requested, hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono welcome Juan Portillo, Public Works Manager Transit at the City of Manteca, to share his inspiring journey and reveal the human side of public transportation. Discover how on‑time performance, innovative route planning, and genuine community engagement transform transit from a mere service into a lifeline that connects seniors, youth, and families while paving the way for a brighter future. Tune in for a fresh perspective on building a transit system that truly serves its community.

Boca Raton, Florida – April 2025 – ETAs, a leading provider of innovative transit technology solutions, is proud to celebrate the one-year anniversary of its successful CAD/AVL system deployment with High Valley Transit in partnership with their operator Via. Since the system’s launch in April 2024, the collaboration has transformed the efficiency and reliability of High Valley Transit’s fixed-route operations, addressing key challenges with previous technology and significantly improving the rider’s experience.   High Valley Transit previously lacked live bus tracking and relied on manual data collection, leading to frustrations for both riders and operators. The decision to partner with ETA was driven by multiple factors, including ETA’s ability to meet their needs under a tight timeline.  ETA’s proactive approach to problem-solving, including ongoing meetings and responsive technical support, has ensured continuous improvements and system reliability.  Brad Herkimer, Chief Operations Officer at High Valley Transit, shared his experience, stating, “ETA’s willingness to work closely with us, address challenges head-on, and continuously improve the system has made a real difference for our fixed route operations.” Christian Londono, Senior Customer Success Manager at ETA, added, “High Valley Transit’s success story highlights our commitment to delivering reliable and user-friendly transit solutions. Over the past year, we’ve worked closely with their team to ensure the system meets their evolving needs, and we look forward to continuing this partnership.”  As High Valley Transit looks ahead to future expansions and service enhancements, ETA remains committed to providing the technology and support needed to drive further improvements in public transportation across the region.  About High Valley Transit High Valley Transit proudly serves the residents of Utah’s “Wasatch Back,” operating throughout Summit, Wasatch, and Salt Lake Counties. Through a mix of fixed-route, micro on-demand, and paratransit services, High Valley Transit enhances regional mobility and access. Committed to providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation, the agency continues to innovate and expand to meet the evolving needs of the communities it serves. For more information, visit www.hvtutah.gov.  About ETAs ETAs is a leading provider of innovative transit solutions, committed to revolutionizing public transportation for agencies and passengers alike. Our state-of-the-art technology is designed to enhance efficiency, safety, and the overall transit experience. ETA specializes in CAD/AVL technology to include automatic passenger counting (APC), GTFS and GTFS-RT, traveler information systems, and digital display systems for public transit agencies, universities, and other shuttle bus operations across the United States. For more information, visit etatransit.com, email sales@etatransit.com, or call (800) 382-0917. 

In this episode of Stop Requested, Levi McCollum and Christian Londono talk with Christina Villarreal, Executive Director of LIT, a national nonprofit focused on workforce development, mentorship and leadership in the transit industry. Christina shares her path from the nonprofit sector into transit and how LIT has evolved to support a broader and more inclusive pipeline of professionals. The conversation explores mentorship, leadership development, and the importance of making training and career opportunities more accessible across the industry. They also discuss common misconceptions about careers in transit, how agencies can better support employee growth, and why building a strong workforce pipeline is critical to the future of public transportation.

TARTA partners with ETA to streamline communication, improve efficiency, and deliver a more reliable transit experience for Lucas County riders.

In this episode of <em>Stop Requested</em>, Christian Londono and Levi McCollum explore how transit agencies are turning swag into powerful tools for branding, engagement, and creating community pride. They discuss the value of collectible transit merchandise, share their favorite swag stories, and uncover how these items build deeper connections with riders and fans alike.

Boca Raton, Florida, April 1, 2026 – ETA, a leading provider of innovative transit technology solutions, is pleased to announce the successful deployment of its SPOT® CAD/AVL platform in partnership with Enterprise Detroit.

Waco Transit partnered with ETA to improve the accuracy and reliability of its Automatic Passenger Counting (APC) data in preparation for National Transit Database (NTD) APC certification. By combining hands-on technical support along with ETA’s Tally platform, the agency transformed its data quality and established a clear path toward certification.

What happens when an economics student looking to make some extra money accidentally discovers a lifelong passion for transit research? In this episode, hosts Levi McCollum and Christian Londono sit down with Dr. Victoria Perk, Transit Research Program Director at the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida, to explore her remarkable three-decade journey from reluctant graduate student to Florida's leading expert on National Transit Database (NTD) reporting and training. Dr. Perk shares the story of how a simple job opportunity at CUTR in the early 1990s—back when NTD data was collected via phone calls and handwritten forms—evolved into a career dedicated to bridging the gap between academic research and practical transit applications. As the principal investigator for Florida's longest-running NTD support contract with FDOT, she reveals the critical role accurate data plays in transit funding formulas and why her viewer access to agency NTD accounts is so crucial (hint: don't remove her!). Beyond the numbers, this conversation dives deep into the human elements that drive Dr. Perk's work: her passion for understanding how people make transportation choices, her innovative approach to recruiting students through semester-long "interviews" disguised as economics classes, and her commitment to developing the next generation of transit professionals. She discusses current research on the economic impacts of public transportation, the challenges of measuring success in emerging microtransit services, and why "perfect is the enemy of good" when it comes to research publication.

Modern transit agencies are continually challenged to improve the efficiency of their operations. It is often a challenging balancing act to minimize passenger wait times while maintaining an efficient passenger load. If vehicles run too closely together, passenger wait times and the efficiency of passenger loads will suffer. (This is when a bus tracker or real time GPS comes in to smooth this problem out, as we'll explain more.) Despite the best intentions of transit operators, the bunching of vehicles (buses or shuttles) occurs when two or more vehicles operate on a route, in the same location, at the same time. Also known as clumping, platooning, or convoying, there are numerous contributing factors in bunching—many of which are unavoidable, such as: Traffic congestion Construction delays and detours Varying passenger loads Driver behavior Rather than arriving at a destination at regularly spaced intervals, vehicles on the same assigned route arrive at the same time (or very close together). This has the effect of providing unreliable service for riders in the form of longer wait times and overcrowded vehicles than would normally be present had the schedule been followed. From an operational standpoint, the impacts of bunching can be just as inconvenient to the agency as it is to the rider: More inbound calls Less than stellar performance schedule Customers complaining Overbalanced, increased loads To solve this, real-time ITS uses GPS solutions (a.k.a. bus tracker) to ensure bunching doesn't happen. Specifically, bus trackers give visual cues so that potential bunching scenarios can be spotted and then proactive steps can be taken to mitigate that. Overall, GPS increases operational awareness so that transit agencies are informed of any possible issues and that operators can make informed decisions to decrease the chances of bunching. Because of this technology, riders have a better riding experience—with fewer delays and no overcrowding.