New app to improve efficiency, accessibility for Macon-Bibb Transit Authority drivers and passengers

Big changes are coming to the Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority (MTA) to improve efficiency for buses and accessibility for riders.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Big changes are coming to the Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority (MTA) to improve efficiency for buses and accessibility for riders.

From construction to marathons and even movie sets, MTA Chief Operations Officer Tony Woodard says detours can make it hard to stay on schedule.

“We constantly receive phone calls,” Woodard said. “Where’s my bus? Where’s my bus?’”

Luckily, technology is keeping up with those changes.

Last year, MTA entered a contract with TripSpark Software for the purchase of licensing and equipment for the “Rides on Demand” app.

Through the app, riders will be able to see the location of their bus in real time and when it will arrive at their stop.

“The GPS tracking will allow the customer, the passenger, to know exactly when the bus is going to be there because of any potential delays,” Woodard explained.

But it comes with a big price tag.

Woodard says the cost of service, maintenance and training for the software all adds up.

That’s why MTA was awarded $1.3 million by the Federal Transit Administration to implement the technology.

“This is not an inexpensive venture, but it’s something that we feel like we don’t have a choice but to take advantage of the technology that’s out there,” he said.

The contract with TripSpark also includes turn-by-turn navigation for drivers, public Wi-Fi on all buses, multi-lingual stop announcements and rider counting technology.

They’re features Woodard says can help save money in the long run and improve the MTA’s quality of service for everyone.

The software is already available for Paratransit riders and is expected to roll out for all fixed route buses within the next few months.