Case Studies OC Flex Orange County

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	OC Flex Orange County

OC Flex Orange County

Technology Category	Functional Applications - Fleet Management Systems (FMS) Functional Applications - Transportation Management Systems (TMS)
Applicable Industries	Cities & Municipalities Transportation
Applicable Functions	Business Operation Logistics & Transportation
Use Cases	Fleet Management Public Transportation Management
Services	Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration
Challenge	OCTA sought a solution to provide a missing first- and last-mile connection to existing fixed route transit and reduce the number of single occupancy vehicles on the road. The region is known for its dependence on private cars, making it challenging to support fixed-route transit. OCTA initially started microtransit services with a different platform but turned to Via for a more effective solution. Via's expertise and advanced technology platform offered a custom branded smartphone app, flexibility in configuring algorithms, and delivering custom reporting and strategic advice, which proved extremely valuable. Read More
About Customer	The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is a major public transportation operator in Orange County, California. OCTA is responsible for providing a range of transportation services, including bus, rail, and paratransit services, to the residents of Orange County. The organization aims to improve mobility and reduce traffic congestion in a region known for its heavy reliance on private cars. OCTA partnered with Via and Keolis to launch OC Flex, a microtransit service designed to provide first- and last-mile connections to existing fixed-route transit options. The service operates in two zones and aims to reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicles on the road, thereby improving overall transportation efficiency and environmental impact. Read More
Solution	Via launched OC Flex in October 2018 with eight custom-branded, wheelchair-accessible Ford vans. Via developed a customized 'OC Flex' app for the service, available for free download on iOS and Android app stores. Riders can also book rides over the phone. To ensure OC Flex complements OCTA's existing fixed-route infrastructure, Via developed a multimodal ticketing functionality called 'OC Flex Pass,' enabling seamless transfers between OC Flex and the Authority's legacy bus routes. Additionally, customers connecting with Amtrak and Metrolink trains can transfer for free using either OC Flex or the bus. Via's advanced technology platform provided flexibility in configuring algorithms and delivering custom reporting and strategic advice, which proved extremely valuable for OCTA. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Functional Applications - Fleet Management Systems (FMS)

Functional Applications - Transportation Management Systems (TMS)

Applicable Industries

Cities & Municipalities

Transportation

Applicable Functions

Business Operation

Logistics & Transportation

Use Cases

Fleet Management

Public Transportation Management

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Challenge

OCTA sought a solution to provide a missing first- and last-mile connection to existing fixed route transit and reduce the number of single occupancy vehicles on the road. The region is known for its dependence on private cars, making it challenging to support fixed-route transit. OCTA initially started microtransit services with a different platform but turned to Via for a more effective solution. Via's expertise and advanced technology platform offered a custom branded smartphone app, flexibility in configuring algorithms, and delivering custom reporting and strategic advice, which proved extremely valuable.

About Customer

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is a major public transportation operator in Orange County, California. OCTA is responsible for providing a range of transportation services, including bus, rail, and paratransit services, to the residents of Orange County. The organization aims to improve mobility and reduce traffic congestion in a region known for its heavy reliance on private cars. OCTA partnered with Via and Keolis to launch OC Flex, a microtransit service designed to provide first- and last-mile connections to existing fixed-route transit options. The service operates in two zones and aims to reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicles on the road, thereby improving overall transportation efficiency and environmental impact.

Solution

Via launched OC Flex in October 2018 with eight custom-branded, wheelchair-accessible Ford vans. Via developed a customized 'OC Flex' app for the service, available for free download on iOS and Android app stores. Riders can also book rides over the phone. To ensure OC Flex complements OCTA's existing fixed-route infrastructure, Via developed a multimodal ticketing functionality called 'OC Flex Pass,' enabling seamless transfers between OC Flex and the Authority's legacy bus routes. Additionally, customers connecting with Amtrak and Metrolink trains can transfer for free using either OC Flex or the bus. Via's advanced technology platform provided flexibility in configuring algorithms and delivering custom reporting and strategic advice, which proved extremely valuable for OCTA.

Impact #1	OC Flex has produced compelling results in its first nine months of service.
Impact #2	Over 4,000 riders have created an OC Flex account.
Impact #3	Weekly ridership has exceeded expectations, growing by over 22 percent month-over-month since launch.

Impact #1

OC Flex has produced compelling results in its first nine months of service.

Impact #2

Over 4,000 riders have created an OC Flex account.

Impact #3

Weekly ridership has exceeded expectations, growing by over 22 percent month-over-month since launch.

Benefit #1	2.1× ridership growth since the first full month of service.
Benefit #2	37% of riders have used OC Flex to connect to fixed-route transit.

Benefit #1

2.1× ridership growth since the first full month of service.

Benefit #2

37% of riders have used OC Flex to connect to fixed-route transit.

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Overview

OC Flex Orange County

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit