Michigan mass transit authority turns to the cloud to optimise operations

The Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) in Flint (MTA Flint) is using the cloud-based Optibus planning, scheduling, and rostering online platform to tackle driver shortages in the Michigan city.

The authority was previously using manual processes to plan services that could take weeks to produce new scenarios and hoped digitalisation could achieve a higher level of service and increase efficiency.

Public transport

Founded in 1971, MTA operates public transportation in Flint, Michigan, located one hour from Detroit. The public agency has more than five million annual passengers and offers three types of services: local fixed-route with 14 lines; regional commuter services, and peak services.

Manual methods were inhibiting the agency’s ability to respond quickly to changes, be it the number of operators available to work or the vehicle type used to deliver services.

“By introducing new technologies, our agency will achieve a new level of agility and efficiency, resulting in higher quality services for public transit riders across Flint”

MTA is using Optibus’ end-to-end transportation planning and operations software. Its optimisation algorithms, artificial intelligence and key performance indicator dashboard increase MTA’s visibility into opportunities for efficiency, providing deeper insights that are almost impossible to catch using manual methods.

“MTA is embarking on a journey of digitalisation. By introducing new technologies, our agency will achieve a new level of agility and efficiency, resulting in higher quality services for public transit riders across Flint and better work shifts for the drivers that keep our city moving,” said Paul Mattern, manager of planning and scheduling at MTA.