Case Studies Wheels2U: Enhancing Transit Connections in Norwalk with On-Demand Technology

Edit This Case Study Record

	Wheels2U: Enhancing Transit Connections in Norwalk with On-Demand Technology

Wheels2U: Enhancing Transit Connections in Norwalk with On-Demand Technology

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics Functional Applications - Fleet Management Systems (FMS) Networks & Connectivity - Cellular
Applicable Industries	Cities & Municipalities Transportation
Applicable Functions	Business Operation Logistics & Transportation
Use Cases	Fleet Management Public Transportation Management Real-Time Location System (RTLS)
Services	Data Science Services Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration
Challenge	In 2018, the Norwalk Transit District (NTD) launched 'Wheels2U,' an on-demand pilot service aimed at increasing public transit ridership and improving connections throughout Norwalk, Connecticut. Nine months into the pilot, the NTD sought to grow ridership and make service improvements. They decided to replace their previous on-demand transit technology provider with Via to better optimize operations and facilitate connections to key destinations in the city. The primary challenge was to reduce wait times and enhance the overall efficiency of the public transit system, addressing growing concerns over traffic and parking congestion. Read More
About Customer	The Norwalk Transit District (NTD) is a public transportation provider serving the City of Norwalk, Connecticut. Established to enhance social mobility and economic viability, the NTD aims to provide efficient and reliable transit services to the community. The district operates a range of transit services, including fixed-route buses and on-demand transit solutions, to meet the diverse needs of commuters, visitors, shoppers, and diners. With a focus on reducing traffic congestion and improving accessibility, the NTD continuously seeks innovative solutions to enhance its service offerings and better connect key downtown locations and attractions. Read More
Solution	In August 2019, the NTD relaunched 'Wheels2U' with Via's state-of-the-art on-demand technology platform. The new solution included an easy-to-use mobile application that allowed riders to request trips in real time and track the location of their assigned vehicle. For riders without smartphones, live phone dispatchers were available to book trips on their behalf. Via's technology pooled passengers heading in the same direction into efficient shared rides and dynamically routed vehicles based on live demand patterns and traffic conditions. The service facilitated travel to key destinations in the city, such as the South Norwalk neighborhood and the Maritime Aquarium, and provided first- and last-mile connections to two Metro-North stations within the service zone. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics

Functional Applications - Fleet Management Systems (FMS)

Networks & Connectivity - Cellular

Applicable Industries

Cities & Municipalities

Transportation

Applicable Functions

Business Operation

Logistics & Transportation

Use Cases

Fleet Management

Public Transportation Management

Real-Time Location System (RTLS)

Services

Data Science Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Challenge

In 2018, the Norwalk Transit District (NTD) launched 'Wheels2U,' an on-demand pilot service aimed at increasing public transit ridership and improving connections throughout Norwalk, Connecticut. Nine months into the pilot, the NTD sought to grow ridership and make service improvements. They decided to replace their previous on-demand transit technology provider with Via to better optimize operations and facilitate connections to key destinations in the city. The primary challenge was to reduce wait times and enhance the overall efficiency of the public transit system, addressing growing concerns over traffic and parking congestion.

About Customer

The Norwalk Transit District (NTD) is a public transportation provider serving the City of Norwalk, Connecticut. Established to enhance social mobility and economic viability, the NTD aims to provide efficient and reliable transit services to the community. The district operates a range of transit services, including fixed-route buses and on-demand transit solutions, to meet the diverse needs of commuters, visitors, shoppers, and diners. With a focus on reducing traffic congestion and improving accessibility, the NTD continuously seeks innovative solutions to enhance its service offerings and better connect key downtown locations and attractions.

Solution

In August 2019, the NTD relaunched 'Wheels2U' with Via's state-of-the-art on-demand technology platform. The new solution included an easy-to-use mobile application that allowed riders to request trips in real time and track the location of their assigned vehicle. For riders without smartphones, live phone dispatchers were available to book trips on their behalf. Via's technology pooled passengers heading in the same direction into efficient shared rides and dynamically routed vehicles based on live demand patterns and traffic conditions. The service facilitated travel to key destinations in the city, such as the South Norwalk neighborhood and the Maritime Aquarium, and provided first- and last-mile connections to two Metro-North stations within the service zone.

Impact #1	Since the relaunch with Via's technology, 'Wheels2U' has provided over 8,000 trips and continues to experience strong week-over-week growth.
Impact #2	The service transports an average of 5.5 passengers per vehicle hour while maintaining an average passenger rating of 4.7 out of 5.
Impact #3	Via's solution offers comprehensive data reporting, providing the NTD with an enhanced layer of service visibility that the previous technology provider did not offer.

Impact #1

Since the relaunch with Via's technology, 'Wheels2U' has provided over 8,000 trips and continues to experience strong week-over-week growth.

Impact #2

The service transports an average of 5.5 passengers per vehicle hour while maintaining an average passenger rating of 4.7 out of 5.

Impact #3

Via's solution offers comprehensive data reporting, providing the NTD with an enhanced layer of service visibility that the previous technology provider did not offer.

Benefit #1	12-minute average wait time
Benefit #2	5.5 average riders per vehicle hour
Benefit #3	Service zone covers 3 square miles

Benefit #1

12-minute average wait time

Benefit #2

5.5 average riders per vehicle hour

Benefit #3

Service zone covers 3 square miles

Download PDF Version

Overview

Wheels2U: Enhancing Transit Connections in Norwalk with On-Demand Technology

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit