From fixed routes to on-demand lines. TRC to help FAST in California improving its public transport network (and paratransit services)

The Routing Company announces it has received a two-year contract from Fairfield and Suisun Transit (FAST), the City of Fairfield’s transit system in Solano County, California. FAST operates eight fixed routes in the City of Fairfield, located northeast of California’s Bay Area.

The Routing Company is platform for on-demand vehicle routing and management. It has been founded by MIT researchers and rideshare industry veterans. Mission? Delivering “routing from multiple points of demand to one vehicle”.

From fixed routes to on-demand lines

As a result of reduced ridership due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FAST recognized a need to reimagine its services and in December 2020, initiated its first Comprehensive Operational Analysis called “FAST Forward” to provide Fairfield with a ten-year road map, TRC sums up.

TRC’s products will help to drive these changes, with five of FAST’s eight routes being replaced by on-demand transit options. The service, launching in February 2023, is anticipated to grow to operate citywide by mid-2023.

TRC will provide its leading product, the Pingo app, and will include the Transit Connect and Pingo Journey features to deliver on-demand transit services and passenger journey planning. FAST will also become one of the first agencies to access TRC’s new module for Paratransit services. The service will commingle on-demand service with Americans with Disabilities Act paratransit services.

TRC launches Pingo app in California

“TRC’s Pingo platform combines paratransit and on-demand transit services with end-to-end journey planning for riders in one app, which improves the rider experience while reducing overall agency spend. This helps FAST provide cost-efficient and equitable transit service for all people in Fairfield , ” said James Cox, Chief Executive Officer, TRC. “We are thrilled to expand Pingo’s presence in California, with this contract marking our second in the state, and look forward to powering FAST’s on-demand microtransit and ADA-compliant paratransit services.”

“FAST is looking forward to working with The Routing Company to create a new on-demand transportation network for the City of Fairfield’s residents and visitors,” said Diane Feinstein, Transportation Manager, City of Fairfield. “We are excited by the innovation that TRC will bring us and how it will benefit our current and future riders. In addition to two new microtransit zones, we also envision replacing the existing reservation, scheduling, and dispatch system for our complementary paratransit service.”