The City of Coral Gables operates two fixed trolley routes across the city, providing essential transit services for both residents and tourists. With a commitment to maintaining 10-12 minute headways, the trolley system has become an important part of the community’s daily transportation. However, before partnering with ETA Transit, managing passenger counts and tracking trolleys was a labor-intensive process for drivers, supervisors, and operations staff alike. Manual passenger counts and vehicle tracking posed significant challenges in maintaining efficiency and ensuring accurate reporting.
In response to these challenges, Coral Gables partnered with ETA Transit, implementing the SPOT app and automatic passenger counting (APC) technology to streamline operations and improve the rider experience. This transition has allowed drivers to focus on providing quality service, while automated systems handle the complexities of data collection and route management.
2016
The introduction of the ETA SPOT app and APC technology has been a game-changer for the Coral Gables trolley system. Drivers no longer need to solely rely on manual passenger counts, allowing them to focus on customer service and safe driving. The automated passenger counting system has been thoroughly tested against manual counts, proving to be highly accurate, which is essential for compliance reporting to the county and other agencies.
GPS tracking within the SPOT app provides real-time visibility into the location of trolleys, enabling supervisors to monitor operations and make adjustments as needed to ensure consistent service. This technology also helps dispatchers address issues like breakdowns or delays, ensuring that routes are maintained efficiently.
For passengers, the ETA SPOT app has been invaluable. It provides accurate, real-time information on trolley arrivals, allowing riders to plan their trips with ease. Passengers can view estimated arrival times on the app, offering peace of mind and eliminating guesswork about when the next trolley will arrive.
Throughout our 8-year partnership, ETA has consistently exceeded expectations and fulfilled their promises. Their product showcases top-notch equipment reliability, comprehensive software features, and exceptional customer service. When faced with a challenging deadline, ETA's professionalism and competence shone through as they successfully implemented the project within the given timeframe.
The partnership between Coral Gables and ETA Transit has not only improved day-to-day operations but has also laid the groundwork for potential future expansions of the trolley service. With enhanced data and tracking capabilities, the city can confidently plan route expansions while maintaining the high standard of service that residents and visitors rely on.
Coral Gables’ experience demonstrates the value of adopting ETA Transit’s solutions for public transportation, showing how technology can improve operational efficiency, enhance the rider experience, and provide reliable data for reporting and future planning.
