Transit Agencies Can Work with Companies such as Uber and Lyft to Improve Mobility

A new HNTB Corporation Viewpoint discusses ways transit agencies and transportation network companies can work together to improve mobility, and future considerations for transit agencies regarding passenger experience and vehicle automation. The Viewpoint, “A great start: Connecting transit agencies and transportation network companies,” is authored by Diana Mendes, HNTB Mid-Atlantic Division president and transit/rail market sector leader.

According to Mendes, who serves the transit industry as chair of the American Public Transportation Association Legislative Committee and member of the Executive Committee, transportation network companies can help transit users overcome the challenges of first-mile/last-mile connections while motivating transit agencies to move beyond their traditional roles to become managers of complete trips — planning, scheduling, buying and integrating transportation modes for seamless travel.

Mendes also discussed three paradigms that may shift as transit and transportation network companies evolve:

• Uncertainty: Technology has the potential to eliminate the worry of missing a transit departure by enabling passengers to synchronize trips across modes and allowing smoother pickup by transportation network company drivers.
• Experience: Transit systems and transportation network companies may focus more on passenger experience, offering enticing amenities to riders.   
• Automation: As automated vehicles become more common, it will be crucial for transit agencies to ready their systems for the influx of this new technology.