ETA Transit Systems Awarded Five-Year APC Contract with Island Transit

Boca Raton, Florida May 19, 2026 – Island Transit has selected ETA Transit Systems as its automated passenger counting (APC) partner, awarding a five-year contract in April 2026. Installation across the agency’s 54-vehicle fleet is scheduled to begin in early June.

What makes this partnership distinctive is how it’s structured. Island Transit’s existing GTFS-RT feed, provided through its current AVL partner, serves as the connective layer, allowing ETA to deliver precise passenger counts and NTD certification expertise that work with the agency’s existing technology ecosystem. It’s a collaborative model that reflects where modern transit tech is headed: transit solutions working together rather than in silos.

The deployment includes bike rack sensors to capture bicycle boardings — a meaningful data point for an island community where cycling and transit naturally intersect — as well as wheelchair passenger counting to give Island Transit a clearer picture of ADA ridership at the boarding level. A driver exclusion feature ensures data integrity by removing operator movements from passenger records.

Rounding out the engagement, Island Transit will have access to Tally, ETA’s trip survey tool purpose-built for NTD reporting. Agencies that depend on accurate, federally defensible ridership data know how much is riding on getting that right.

“Transit agencies like Island Transit are doing exactly what public transit is supposed to do — removing barriers and connecting communities,” said John Maglio, CEO of ETA Transit. “Our job is to make sure they have the data to keep doing it well, and to tell that story with confidence.”

About

Island Transit is a rural public transit agency serving Whidbey and Camano Islands in Washington State, operating out of Coupeville, WA. The agency provides zero-fare bus and paratransit services, along with commuter vanpool and on-demand options, with a mission centered on safe, accessible, and friendly transportation that enhances island quality of life. Island Transit serves its communities across both fixed-route and flexible service models, with routes spanning Whidbey, Camano, and the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

About ETA Transit Systems

ETA Transit Systems 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.

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