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Industry Leaders, New APTA Study Discuss Public Transit as Backbone of Multimodal Lifestyle
Public transit leaders discussed the impact on communities and public transit systems of autonomous vehicles (AV), partnerships with ride-hailing services and other innovations on a Dec. 13 APTA press call. The call coincided with the release of a new APTA report, The Transformation of the American Commuter.
Based on research from the National Academy of Sciences and analysis by APTA, the report explores commuters’ views and preferences regarding public transit in a new era of multiple mobility options. Findings show, for example, that 77 percent of commuters see public transit as the backbone of a lifestyle that includes such technologies as ride-hailing, AV and scooters.
“Commuters are demanding multiple mobility options and they know it is simple arithmetic; public transit provides the best option to transport the most people in the smallest space,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas on the call. “America’s public transit systems are poised to serve as regional mobility managers. This means they are best equipped to organize a multimodal network of transportation options consumers can use.”
Gary Thomas, president/executive director of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), said, “Customers expect to be in control of their mobility choices. Being easy to use and accessible via smartphones is key.” He cited recent updates to DART’s GoPass mobile ticketing app: “The app delivers enhanced travel planning tools and a ‘cash-to-mobile’ option to help us reach the unbanked market. Combining innovations in customer-facing communication with flexible services makes us attractive to new partners like Apple, VISA, Ford and Toyota.”
Tina Quigley, general manager of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) in Las Vegas, noted: “We need to be flexible and able to better collect and analyze our customer data to integrate new technologies into the transportation ecosystem. Our rideRTC app allows people to plan their trip, buy their pass and find their bus on their smartphone. App customers can also plan and book Uber or Lyft in connection with their RTC trip.”
Joshua Schank, chief innovation officer, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, explained how his agency is introducing new ways to improve regional mobility. “Our microtransit project will allow customers to use cellphones to order, monitor and pay for rides in vehicles smaller than our buses,” he said. “The service won’t be tied to a fixed route or schedule; microtransit is a great way to get around in areas where traditional bus service isn’t working for most people.”
SouthWest Transit in Eden Prairie, MN, has been operating a microtransit service for more than three years. Matt Fyten, the agency’s manager of planning, said, “The service, SouthWest Prime, has been highly successful with over a 400 percent increase in ridership since its first year. SW Prime has proven to be the most efficient demand-response service in the Twin Cities region, serving over 400 riders a day while using only one dispatcher/reservationist to manage the entire system.”
Kelly Coyner, chief executive officer and founder of Mobilitye3, discussed the integration of AV technology into ride-hailing and on-demand services. “Many agencies are now using low-speed AV technologies,” she said. “This technology can support our customers and increase efficiency for public transit—it’s not there to replace it.”
In closing, Skoutelas said, “It is essential we transform our thinking about how we provide local transportation services to ensure integration across markets, modes and providers. It is critical we grow this new mobility network to safeguard our industry’s mission to serve people from all walks of life while enhancing a region’s transportation and community goals.”
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