MIDDLEBURY — ACTR is improving its ability to serve the community by making several technology investments, with special grant assistance from the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans).
“Maximizing information technology to support all aspects of the organization is one of ACTR’s key Strategic Goals,” said Jim Moulton, executive director. “Beyond several recent changes, ACTR is pursuing other innovative ways to use technology to improve services.”
This past summer, two-way radios were installed in the ACTR fleet to make communication and rider transfers much simpler and easier. The new equipment meets Vermont’s hands-free requirements and has made travel between routes more seamless.
At the end of October ACTR is launching a redesigned www.actr-vt.org website. The new site works better on smartphones, gives faster access to bus schedules and loads more quickly — all user-desired changes.
This past spring, ACTR installed new maintenance software to better track vehicle repair costs so they can be lowered. Next year, ACTR will be installing new trip-planning software, which will increase the number of trips it can provide with the same resources.
ACTR has also been in recent discussions with VTrans with several potential pilot projects, including posting of open seats on vehicles providing demand-response service and real-time posting of bus routes.
Said Moulton, “ACTR has a history of technology innovation, having been the first in the state be on Google Transit, and we believe in its value to help provide more rides in more cost-effective and user friendly ways.”
ACTR enhances the economic, social and environmental health of the region by providing community transportation services that are safe, reliable, accessible and affordable for everyone. To learn more about ACTR’s bus and Dial-A-Ride services, go towww.actr-vt.org or call 388-2287.