CARTS A Fare Collection Case Study

1. CARTSA Fare CollectionCase Study Speaker introductionSpeaker introduction

2. The RideCARTS Card Project Implementation of Advanced Technologies in Rural Transit Service: Speaker introductionSpeaker introduction

3. What Is The RideCARTS Card Project? A proposal submitted by CARTS to the FTA Office of Mobility Innovation in response to a �rolling call for projects� to demonstrate the effectiveness of ITS solutions in rural transit settings.

4. What Will the Project Do? Develop a partnership with the Lone Star Technology Department, Texas Department of Health & Human Services to expand use of card to track Medicaid trips Develop a partnership with TxDOT Public Transportation Division/Medical Transportation program to streamline data and billing activities related to the MTP contract Demonstrate the use of MDC as a gateway to improve data collection processes, simplify fare collection, enhance coordination opportunities with Human Service agencies, and improve responsiveness of service and quality of ride

5. CARTS: One of 38 Texas RTDs To start with a little background (for those of you who don�t know us already)�To start with a little background (for those of you who don�t know us already)�

6. CARTS Service Area Our service area covers 7500 sq miles and serves over 100 communities. Each year we make over 300,000 trips and spend 75,000 hours in operation� all with a $3 million budget.Our service area covers 7500 sq miles and serves over 100 communities. Each year we make over 300,000 trips and spend 75,000 hours in operation� all with a $3 million budget.

7. CARTS Equipment & Facilities 55 paratransit buses 25 sedans 10 low floor minivans 10 fixed route buses 2 commuter buses 5 intermodal terminals

8. Development of CARTS ITS 1994 to 2008 How did we do it? SLOWLY Why did we do it? TO IMPROVE SERVICE

9. 1994: CARTS at a Crossroads 7 separate contractors, 7 phone numbers Varying level of service and intake quality Inadequate radio system Brokered service Diminishing Funding Starting in 1994 we began to look at ways to overcome these obstacles and to provide a higher level of service to our customers. In addition to some consolidation, new call centers, etc�. We also found a technological solution.Starting in 1994 we began to look at ways to overcome these obstacles and to provide a higher level of service to our customers. In addition to some consolidation, new call centers, etc�. We also found a technological solution.

10. Changing the System 1994-96: Automated Scheduling with PASS software 1996-98: Upgrade radio system Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) Phased out subcontracted services Built and equipped consolidated call center

11. Evolution Continues 1998 - 2001: Continued hardware/software upgrades to take advantage of improved products and planned for next phase of ITS. 2001 � 2005: MDC / AVL conversions

12. Project Objectives Automate fare collection Magnetic stripe / smart card readers Move to paperless, personless reporting and data collection Integrate Texas �Lone Star� benefit card Direct billing reporting for Medicaid, etc.

13. The Answer? MDC allows us to go from� So what�s next?MDC allows us to go from� So what�s next?

14. How Can MDC Work? Paper/Cash system Paperless, no cash Advance reservations On-the-fly scheduling Person-intensive reporting Automated reporting and data collection MDC is a gateway that can help us go from� What would that mean for CARTS?MDC is a gateway that can help us go from� What would that mean for CARTS?

15. Linking the CARTS Side� Here�s the �back end� of the system, on the CARTS side� we want to expand that to�(CLICK)Here�s the �back end� of the system, on the CARTS side� we want to expand that to�(CLICK)

16. The CUSTOMER Sides! This is how we think MDC could and should be working for us� adding data transfer on both sides of the equation to get the most out of the technology. Communications from all these agencies (name some) can come through the radio network and back to our system� and then in the other direction, MDCs can collect data from payment cards, locate vehicles, and more. CARTS becomes the gateway through which these agencies and localities connect with customers, and through which customer data can be fed back to these agencies. That�s where our proposal for the Lone Star Card Project comes in. This is how we think MDC could and should be working for us� adding data transfer on both sides of the equation to get the most out of the technology. Communications from all these agencies (name some) can come through the radio network and back to our system� and then in the other direction, MDCs can collect data from payment cards, locate vehicles, and more. CARTS becomes the gateway through which these agencies and localities connect with customers, and through which customer data can be fed back to these agencies. That�s where our proposal for the Lone Star Card Project comes in.

17. The Lone Star Card Project How we can all use technology to improve service� We learned that even the �poor boys� could use technology to provide better service. And then we decided to take it a step further. The proposal to the FTA Office of Technology is designed to show the effectiveness of ITS solutions in rural transit settings.We learned that even the �poor boys� could use technology to provide better service. And then we decided to take it a step further. The proposal to the FTA Office of Technology is designed to show the effectiveness of ITS solutions in rural transit settings.

18. Why the Lone Star Card? Partnerships with State agencies Expand use of card to track Medicaid trips (Lone Star Technology Department, Texas Department of Health & Human Services) Streamline MTP contract data & billing (TxDOT Public Transportation Division/Medical Transportation Program) Demonstrate MDC possibilities Improve data collection and coordination with Human Service agencies Simplify fare collection Improve service and responsiveness The Lone Star Card is a mechanism that already exists to deliver services. CARTS already delivers transit services for the same agencies� MDC lets us put it all together. What are the advantages of streamlining these kinds of services?The Lone Star Card is a mechanism that already exists to deliver services. CARTS already delivers transit services for the same agencies� MDC lets us put it all together. What are the advantages of streamlining these kinds of services?

20. Improve Data Collection Reports� Paperless Data and Accurate Reports. In order to coordinate, you have to report to many and various entities: cities, counties, human service agencies and other service purchasers. Reports are complicated, and you get buried in paperwork. (Dotty story�) BUT, it�s our job to give them what they want� accountability sells service. So we have to do the reports� but�In order to coordinate, you have to report to many and various entities: cities, counties, human service agencies and other service purchasers. Reports are complicated, and you get buried in paperwork. (Dotty story�) BUT, it�s our job to give them what they want� accountability sells service. So we have to do the reports� but�

21. Simplify Fare Collection Cash is risky 65 buses = 65 fareboxes over 7500 sq mi Accounting is expensive Thousands of nickels, dimes, quarters� MDC will also simplify fare collection. Cash is risky � with all these fareboxes spread over a wide area, it�s harder to secure and harder to keep track Thousands of nickels, dimes, quarters� it costs more to account for the fares than we actually collectMDC will also simplify fare collection. Cash is risky � with all these fareboxes spread over a wide area, it�s harder to secure and harder to keep track Thousands of nickels, dimes, quarters� it costs more to account for the fares than we actually collect

22. Improve Service �Where�s my ride?� Automatic Vehicle Locators Computerized route planning �Can you turn that thing down?� Silent communication �Can I go NOW?� Ability to reroute vehicles �Where�s my ride?� Calls from the public can be more easily addressed with AVL and MDC� we know where each bus is at any time �Can you turn that thing down?� Since electronic communication is silent, the passenger doesn�t have the constant interruption of radio chatter. With MDC, the quality of the ride improves. �Can I go now?� � It may be a premium service, but you can. Mrs. Jones forgets the milk�. (Send all buses out like cattle�)�Where�s my ride?� Calls from the public can be more easily addressed with AVL and MDC� we know where each bus is at any time �Can you turn that thing down?� Since electronic communication is silent, the passenger doesn�t have the constant interruption of radio chatter. With MDC, the quality of the ride improves. �Can I go now?� � It may be a premium service, but you can. Mrs. Jones forgets the milk�. (Send all buses out like cattle�)

23. Improve Cash Flow Right now, we can spend $1 and wait 90 days to get it back� This project will streamline reporting and shorten reimbursement times� they get the paperwork sooner, we get paid sooner. Right now, we can spend $1 and wait 90 days to get it back� This project will streamline reporting and shorten reimbursement times� they get the paperwork sooner, we get paid sooner.

24. The RideCARTS Card Easy to buy, easy to use Fare discounts Equal treatment Fewer cash transactions The RideCARTS fare card could extend the same services that Lone Star customers would benefit from to everyone. Available everywhere, and could incorporate fare discounts. It would also treat everyone the same � currently if a trip is purchased by a 3rd party agency, riders have to sign a form, be singled out. With the RideCARTS card, you just swipe and go. Also, it reduces the number of cash transactions � the riskiest form of payment, and the most expensive to account for. The RideCARTS fare card could extend the same services that Lone Star customers would benefit from to everyone. Available everywhere, and could incorporate fare discounts. It would also treat everyone the same � currently if a trip is purchased by a 3rd party agency, riders have to sign a form, be singled out. With the RideCARTS card, you just swipe and go. Also, it reduces the number of cash transactions � the riskiest form of payment, and the most expensive to account for.

25. Williamson county is ranked among the top 5 fastest-growing suburban counties in the United States. We�ve experienced explosive growth in the last 10-15 years, growing nearly 80% in the 1990s. And our development varies in nature � we�re not just dealing with expanding suburban needs: our community also includes rural farmland and smaller towns, as well.Williamson county is ranked among the top 5 fastest-growing suburban counties in the United States. We�ve experienced explosive growth in the last 10-15 years, growing nearly 80% in the 1990s. And our development varies in nature � we�re not just dealing with expanding suburban needs: our community also includes rural farmland and smaller towns, as well.

26. Williamson county is ranked among the top 5 fastest-growing suburban counties in the United States. We�ve experienced explosive growth in the last 10-15 years, growing nearly 80% in the 1990s. And our development varies in nature � we�re not just dealing with expanding suburban needs: our community also includes rural farmland and smaller towns, as well.Williamson county is ranked among the top 5 fastest-growing suburban counties in the United States. We�ve experienced explosive growth in the last 10-15 years, growing nearly 80% in the 1990s. And our development varies in nature � we�re not just dealing with expanding suburban needs: our community also includes rural farmland and smaller towns, as well.

27. Project Details Approaching one step at a time Started January 20, 2005 First, Lone Star and RideCARTS card Full system-wide operation May 5, 2008 Total costs: $256,000 5-year expected payoff CARTS takes a one-step-at-a-time approach. We master one phase, and then move on to the next so that implementation is careful and deliberate. This project will start June 1, 2004 with the Lone Star and RideCARTS card � RideCARTS cards will be pre-paid, and the Lone Star card is for reimbursable Medicaid trips. Later, we will implement electronic payment systems that could accept debit or credit cards, or automatically bill state agencies. We expect this project to pay for itself in 5 years, through reduced admin costsCARTS takes a one-step-at-a-time approach. We master one phase, and then move on to the next so that implementation is careful and deliberate. This project will start June 1, 2004 with the Lone Star and RideCARTS card � RideCARTS cards will be pre-paid, and the Lone Star card is for reimbursable Medicaid trips. Later, we will implement electronic payment systems that could accept debit or credit cards, or automatically bill state agencies. We expect this project to pay for itself in 5 years, through reduced admin costs

28. It�s not about the money. Why? It all comes back to this�Why? It all comes back to this�

29. Questions? David L. Marsh General Manager, CARTS (512) 481-1011 dave@RideCARTS.com RideCARTS.com

31. Project Partners KFH Group Mentor Engineering, Inc. MJM Innovations Lower Colorado River Authority Trapeze Software Group Texas Department of Transportation Federal Transportation Administration