Washington County Transportation Authority, currently operating as Freedom Transit, is the official transport authority in Washington County, Pennsylvania. Freedom Transit’s mission is to connect people who live, work, learn, and play in Washington County and the surrounding areas by providing high-quality, accessible public transportation services. The agency operates seven fixed-route bus lines and shared-ride buses and is responsible for over 250,000 annual rides. Their current system has a total of 4,287 users, with more than 84,147 validations across the company’s network.
Meeting the needs of a small-sized agency
To address the challenges and limitations of an outdated fare collection system, Freedom Transit contacted Modeshift in 2021. The company sought a one-size-fits-all solution that would be easy to implement and meet the needs of a small transit agency. Their primary goal was to enhance the passenger experience by introducing a modern fare collection system, which included a mobile ticketing app, with the possibility of tracking transit vehicles in real-time.
Why did Freedom Transit choose Modeshift?
Freedom Transit chose Modeshift because it was able to deliver a fare collection system that improved customer satisfaction while offering more than just a regular transit app. The technology was easy to integrate, and it equipped the agency with the tools to upgrade their system and operations. Modeshift’s solution provided just the right flexibility and support so that the agency could achieve its goals.
Prior to working with Modeshift, Freedom Transit had over 70% of their passengers paying in cash and around 30% using the smart cards. When Modeshift’s fare payment solution launched, which included a mobile ticketing app and the option for riders to pay in cash, Freedom Transit saw a decrease in cash payments which went down to 30%, while 70% of payments were made through the app.
Limited visibility of transit vehicles due to outdated technology.
An antiquated fare collection system that couldn’t deliver quality user experiences.
Lack of a vendor who is flexible and responsive in building the right platform.
Limited support for the integration of new technology and training of personnel.
Solutions By Modeshift
The implementation of an AVL system allowed for tracking of vehicles in real-time while facilitating necessary adjustments to the system.
A fare collection system was introduced with tools to upgrade operations and enhance the passenger experience.
Modeshift provided a seamless transition to the new system and installed all the necessary hardware.
Modeshift’s team worked consistently with the agency, ensuring they had support every step of the way.
Results that speak for themselves
Modeshift’s platform provided the WCTA team with a better view of transit fleets, enabling them to manage daily operations more efficiently. This facilitated easier service scheduling for transit staff, enhancing their responsiveness to real-time events.
The mobile ticketing app has been incredibly well received by passengers. By integrating trip planning tools, ticket purchases, and validations, Freedom Transit’s riders could now enjoy a seamless user experience.
Modeshift’s comprehensive approach made it possible to deliver a simple yet effective fare collection solution that is feature-rich and intuitive, ensuring users can navigate the system with ease and confidence.
📌 Data-Driven Outcomes
📉 Cash Payments Decreased from 70% to 30%
📲 Mobile Ticketing Adoption Reached 70%
🚌 Real-Time Tracking Across Entire Fleet
📈 84,147 Validations Recorded via New System
📊 Improved On-Time Performance
Modeshift has been incredibly easy to work with, very accommodating, and willing to make changes. The biggest breakthrough for us as a transit agency was the fact that we had a vendor who was highly responsive and responsible. It really made a difference and helped solve many of the issues we were experiencing. We would highly recommend Modeshift to any transit agency looking to upgrade their fare collection system and explore a mobile fare payment option that comes with other incredible features and functionalities. Sheila Gombita, Executive Director, Freedom Transit
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