Thumb Area Transit of Eastern Michigan Selects RouteMatch Software for Demand Response Operations and Tablets for Increased Reporting and Improved Customer Service

ATLANTA, GA and BAD AXE, MI--(Marketwired - Aug 5, 2013) - Thumb Area Transit, a demand response transit agency performing up to 2,000 trips a day and covering all of Huron County in the thumb area region of eastern Michigan, has selected RouteMatch Software as their ITS (intelligent transportation systems) technology provider. The transit agency transitioned to RouteMatch's scalable technology platform to support growing ridership and operational needs. The agency recently deployed RouteMatch's automated scheduling and dispatching and is using tablets mobile data devices for automated vehicle location. "Our goal is to be as cost effective and customer service oriented as we can be," explains Ken Jimkoski, Director at Thumb Area Transit. "RouteMatch has multiple technology offerings that we plan to take advantage of, such as the ability to be totally paperless. We also are excited about having more in-depth reporting abilities and the use of tablets in our vehicles."

RouteMatch's Demand Response solution enables the agency to improve scheduling and dispatching processes, while utilizing the tablet's real-time data collection to make better business decisions and automate the trip verification process. "Before, we had to manually go through every ride for verification, which was roughly 2,000 a day," says Ken. "RouteMatch has already saved us a tremendous amount of staff time and money. We are also looking forward to the improved reporting capabilities and gaining greater insight into our data."

The decision to install tablets in all 36 of their vehicles has also made a positive impact.

"Our drivers love the tablets. So far, the tablets have enabled us to run a faster, more efficient dispatching operation and have improved our driver to dispatch communications," added Ken.

Thumb Area Transit plans to further enhance ridership experience by implementing the RouteMatch Web Portal solution. This will enable riders and partner organizations to conveniently view, edit and cancel trips through a secure Internet portal. By providing this supplemental service to customers, Thumb Area Transit anticipates reduced call volumes. In addition, the agency is working with RouteMatch on improving scheduling techniques by working with RouteMatch's Advanced Consulting Group. The Advanced Consulting Group is helping to configure and train on the RouteMatch Scheduling Engine to better manage vehicle capacity during peak rider seasons -- a challenge faced by many Michigan transit systems where university schedules, summer tourism and sports events are common.

"RouteMatch is very excited to work with Thumb Area Transit and help them transition to a faster, more efficient transit agency," says Tim Quinn, Executive Vice President of RouteMatch. "Our implementation team did an outstanding job working closely with Ken and his team to understand their operational needs and smoothly implement the technology. We are pleased they have so easily embraced the RouteMatch ITS platform and are already realizing benefits. We share their strong focus and value on serving customers in the best way possible. We look forward to continuing to grow with them."

About Thumb Area Transit

Thumb Area Transit (TAT) is a rural transit agency that provides service to all of Huron County Michigan. They provide limited trips into Tuscola and Sanilac Counties for transfers, medical, social and education needs. TAT provides rides to anyone who wishes to ride; there are no criteria to qualify to ride. 

About RouteMatch Software

RouteMatch Software, Inc. is the leading provider of passenger transportation technology solutions. Founded in 2000, the company is headquartered in Atlanta, GA, and RouteMatch works with more than 600 transit agencies worldwide. Partnering with public and private sector passenger transportation providers, the company provides an end-to-end technology platform which addresses multiple operational, safety and ridership needs. RouteMatch's technologies address routing, scheduling, dispatching, billing, reporting, fixed route and CAD/AVL, demand response, business analytics, and fixed route integration, traveler information services, fleet management, and more. Additional information about RouteMatch's ITS technologies is available at www.routematch.com or by emailing info@routematch.com.