ATLANTA, GA and COTTONWOOD, AZ--(Marketwire - Aug 7, 2012) - Cottonwood Area Transit (CAT), a transit agency serving the Arizona communities of Cottonwood, Sedona, and Clarkdale, recently implemented RouteMatch Software's paratransit solution in four weeks, meeting their aggressive timeline by utilizing RouteMatch's Cloud Services/hosted solution and a streamlined training process for their staff.
"RouteMatch is a proven piece of software," says Bruce Morrow, CAT's transit manager. "We had a month to complete this implementation, and we needed to be up and running fast. We also were attracted to the integration and expansion capabilities of RouteMatch and their focus on customer support."
The implementation process went smoothly. "It was very seamless, methodical and well-planned out," Morrow says.
CAT operates five paratransit buses along with three fixed routes, averaging 100-150 trips per day. The system serves an American Disabilities Act (ADA)-qualified and senior ridership. The decision to move away from their previous Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) provider was driven by funding challenges, as well as a desire to have more control over the future expansion of the system and the use of innovative technologies such as integrated tablet mobile data devices and traveler information systems.
RouteMatch's technologies help CAT generate operational efficiencies through advanced scheduling, mapping, routing and dispatching, billing and reporting, in vehicle location, and ADA compliance. The system also utilizes a single code base, making it easier for transit agencies to expand into other modules or mix and match modules as needed.
"We are always looking for cutting-edge technologies we can grow with and we're definitely moving towards the tablets," says Morrow. Other growth goals include deploying two additional fixed route legs to their system, with the technology to properly support it. "We intend to use RouteMatch's suite of traveler information services -- like RouteShout -- to help solve our transit challenges as well as provide the agency with ways to interact and promote the community through new ridership communication tools," explains Morrow. "There are a lot of opportunities that we're trying to take advantage of, and RouteMatch and its technologies are right in the middle of all of it."
Cottonwood's use of ITS technology paired with a larger strategic outlook on how they can better serve their community is a win-win for both the agency and its riders. For example, the transit agency is working closely with the Cottonwood Economic Development Committee, local businesses and recreation centers to discuss display signs for real-time scheduling and routing information for easier travel planning and future mobile advertising opportunities.
"In the long term, the more comfortable people become with technology, the more that helps us improve our services, as well as make life easier for them," states Morrow.
"Cottonwood's ability to make the rapid transition over to RouteMatch, is a testament to their commitment to providing quality services to their riders. They have a strategic outlook in place that will enable them to expand services and new functionalities. It's exciting to see how technologies play a critical role in the communities Cottonwood serves, and we proud to be partner with them," says RouteMatch's Tim Quinn, Executive Vice President.
About RouteMatch Software
RouteMatch is the leading provider of end-to-end transit ITS software and innovative passenger and vehicle technology solutions. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, GA and works with more than 450 transit agencies across the U.S. and internationally, providing quality software and customer service. Partnering with public and private sector passenger transportation providers, the company's products address routing, scheduling, dispatching, billing, reporting, fixed route, CAD/AVL, paratransit and fixed route integration, traveler information services, fleet management, mobility management, and more. Additional information about RouteMatch's ITS technologies are available at www.routematch.com or by calling RouteMatch toll-free at (US) 1-888-840-8791.
About Cottonwood Area Transit
Cottonwood Area Transit (CAT) serves the communities of Cottonwood, Clarkdale and Sedona, Arizona. The agency operates three fixed routes, with paratransit services on 5 buses. CAT Paratransit provides origin destination transportation services for persons with disabilities who are unable to use CAT fixed route buses. Service is provided to locations that are within the 3/4 mile of a fixed route bus stop.
Contact Information:
Media Contact:
Brooke Phillips
RouteMatch Software
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P: 404-253-7839