Category: Commentary

  • Navigating the Transit Revolution: Part V—The Future

    As technology continues its rapid advancement, the future of GTFS development is marked by a commitment to addressing real-world challenges and embracing emerging innovations. Recent contributions and pull requests to the GTFS repository demonstrate an ongoing effort to refine and enhance the specification.

  • The key to transit technology satisfaction—effective communication, reliable hardware

    In the realm of mass transit technology, it is a rare occurrence to encounter a potential customer who enthusiastically praises their current CAD/AVL (Computer-Aided Dispatch/Automatic Vehicle Location) vendor. To put it simply, transit operators are often dissatisfied with their CAD/AVL vendor. According to our annual surveys of transit agencies, more than two-thirds express their discontent.…

  • The Need for Rugged Transit-Grade Computers in Harsh Transit Environments

    Introduction All-in-one tablets are unreliable and unsuitable for public transit applications. Instead, transit agencies must consider investing in transit-grade computers to record and display mission-critical information. Functioning onboard digital devices are essential to: improve operating efficiencies. automate NTD data collection. and enhance the rider experience. Though consumer-grade tablets and all-in-one Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) with…

  • Pre-plan your RFP evaluation

    Tools to help your RFP to set realistic expectations and deliver a focused review. Over our history, ETA Transit has submitted hundreds of proposals for mass transit technology RFPs. We’ve won some, we’ve lost some, and we’ve seen RFPs pulled without warning. Win, lose, or draw our practice is to reach out to transit agencies…

  • What factors influence customer satisfaction?

    Communication, not technology, determines the satisfaction with transit systems It is a rarity in the mass transit technology market when we strike up a conversation with a potential customer, and they sing the praises of their current ITS vendor. Let me say it another way—transit operators aren’t happy with their tech partners. According to our…

  • Staff experience

    Don’t overlook the “employee factor” when adopting new technology. See if this sounds familiar. You and a select group of co-workers have spent time researching, interviewing, and demoing a new technology or process to be implemented at your company. You’re certain that you have been thorough in your efforts. The solution checks every box and…

  • Are you ready to erase paper inspections?

    One of the more popular feature requests we receive for our SPOT™ ITS platform is digital pre-and post-trip inspection, also known as driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIR). It certainly seems that transit operators are eager to transition from manual or paper processes to connected digital logging and report solutions. Historically trip inspection involves four things:…

  • Are your APCs ‘down’ for the count?

    Maximize the efficiency of your automatic passenger counters for NTD certification-worthy results. By Matt Schroeder Director of Marketing, ETA Transit Systems I am going to dispel a myth for your right off the bat. The FTA (Federal Transit Association) does not provide certifications for APC hardware. Never have, never will. Anyone that tells you that…

  • Passenger engagement goes digital

    The next generation of digital display systems provide more ways to educate, inform, and entertain riders By Matt Schroeder Director of Marketing, ETA Transit Systems In the marketing world, there is a thing known as ‘the gag.’ The gag, is a hook; the way you’ll grab the attention of your audience and invest them to…