ATLANTA, GA and ROCKFORD, IL--(Marketwired - Apr 1, 2014) - Speedier verifications, streamlined Medicaid data management, and more accurate reporting are some of the improvements experienced by Rockford Mass Transit District (RMTD) with their use of RouteMatch Software's Demand Response solution and tablet technology.
In 2012, the Illinois-based agency was seeking to improve efficiencies and move from a manual, paper-based verification system to a wireless, tablet-enabled process.
"Prior to us using tablets as mobile data devices, it took us a full day to verify data," says Paula Hughes, Grants Specialist at RMTD. "We used to fill two banker's boxes a month full of manifest purges. Now, it's down to just one piece of paper, per driver per day."
Improved Data Gathering with Tablet Technology
Serving three cities -- Rockford, Loves Park, and the Village of Machesney Park -- RMTD operates 20 paratransit vehicles at peak operation. Last year, the agency transported approximately 91,000 riders on paratransit trips. Overall ridership has increased from 76,408 trips per year in 2011 to 90,795 in 2013 -- an almost 17% increase. The agency's Medicaid trip volume has also drastically increased from 30 to 60 trips per month to 1,600 trips a month. Given these increases, it was critical the agency implement a complete Demand Response intelligent transportation system (ITS) that could particularly automate the trip verification process in order to cut down on manual data entry errors and save valuable employee time. RMTD was facing a critical juncture in their operations strategy about how best to manage increased call volumes, rider expectations and overall efficiencies.
Another important benefit reaped by having tablet technology was the ability to gather real time trip data.
"It has really helped us keep our on-time performance on track," said Megan Turnmire, Dispatch Supervisor for RMTD. "We are also able to view mileage capture as well as driver break times which help us with more accurate real-time NTD (National Transit Database) reporting. Each time there's an update to the mobile system, there's a feature we get excited about. It's great to see RouteMatch continuously improving the product."
Medicaid Billing Management
Another area where RMTD was able to gain improvement was in its ability to gather and manage Medicaid data. Prior to using RouteMatch, all RMTD information on Medicaid funded trips had to be input manually. This included multiple data points, such as client name, address, points of pick-up/drop-off destinations, just to name a few. The information was recorded and maintained on a spreadsheet which would then be uploaded into an online Medicaid system that often didn't save the data. At the time, there was little digital integration ability between RMTD and the state of Illinois' Medicaid system. Gathering and maintaining Medicaid trip data is critical for timely and accurate reimbursement.
Time management became even more important when the state reduced the number of days required to submit Medicaid trip data from 365 days to 180. RMTD was able to ensure that information was quickly submitted and processed utilizing RouteMatch's automated trip verification and data reporting system.
"This process now takes us five minutes max," says Hughes. "It is such a huge improvement and has saved us time spent on tedious data entry. We're able to easily fix errors and resubmit our data, if need be. RouteMatch worked with us and coordinated at the state level to ensure that the creation and submission of data were integration and well aligned."
"Rockford Mass Transit District is to be commended for the way they have embraced technology -- from real time tracking of work to automated data collection," says Brian Corcoran, Vice President of RouteMatch. "They have demonstrated the power of technology to automate business process, reduce manual tasks, and ultimately, save time and money."
About Rockford Mass Transit District
The Rockford Mass Transit District provides Fixed Route and Paratransit Service to the cities of Rockford and Loves Park and the Village of Machesney Park. The 40 fixed route buses operate over 17 routes Monday thru Saturday, 6 night routes and 5 routes on Sundays.
RMTD's Paratransit service is an origin-to-destination service for persons with disabilities such that their disability limits their ability to ride the fixed route.
About RouteMatch Software
RouteMatch Software is the leading provider of passenger transportation technologies and mobility management solutions. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, GA and works with more than 600 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, demand response and fixed route integration, traveler information services, mobility management, business analytics, 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.
Contact Information:
Media Contact:
Brooke Phillips
RouteMatch Software
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P: 404-253-7839