• Subscribe
  • Magazine
  • 40 Under 40
  • Supplier's Directory
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
    1. Bus
    2. Paratransit

    GoDurham addresses driver shortage for paratransit, increases rider satisfaction with lower costs

    Nov. 9, 2021
    National Express Transit and UZURV helped GoDurham recruit and fully onboard FTA-compliant drivers in 50 Days.

    By working with its prime contractor National Express Transit (NEXT), the paratransit provider for GoDurham Access, GoDurham was able to address a driver shortage by implementing a technology solution to supplement the GoDurham Access fleet of paratransit vehicles and the driver base.

    NEXT tapped UZURV® -- the Adaptive Transportation Network Company (Adaptive TNC) -- to expand GoDurham’s ride options with a non-dedicated fleet of drivers. NEXT and GoDurham received board approval of an agreement to add UZURV’s mobility platform as a supplemental service provider on July 19, 2021.

    UZURV then began the process of recruiting a fully vetted and credentialed fleet of ​​independent contractor drivers who utilize their own vehicles to provide door-to-door paratransit service. All UZURV drivers passed Federal Transit Administration (FTA) compliant background checks and complete drug and alcohol testing.

    On Sept. 9, 2021, UZURV service began in Durham. Two weeks later, the program achieved its full target daily trip volume. And by the end of September, NEXT and GoDurham further expanded service hours with the UZURV network and increased daily program service volume to support 20 percent more trips per day than original expectations. NEXT notes it was able to leverage UZURV to provide GoDurham with flexible service that met and continues to meet the increased transportation needs of their passengers.

    In addition, the technology partnership and operational integration with UZURV was seamless. GoDurham Access uses Ecolane, the scheduling and dispatch software, which supports direct integration with the UZURV API. The integration and one-system approach provided several benefits for NEXT, paratransit riders and GoDurham Access:

    • NEXT dispatchers push trips to UZURV from within the Ecolane system and receive details of the completed trips back into Ecolane.
    • Riders are able to track their UZURV vehicle in real-time via the Ecolane mobile app.
    • Client reporting on UZURV and NEXT trips can all be done from within the Ecolane platform.

    “GoDurham Access is committed to a high level of service for our riders, and continually work with our partners to come up with innovative solutions to improve the rider experience,” said Brian Fahey, transit administrator, GoTriangle. “The partnership with NEXT and UZURV has been a tremendous win for Durham. It provides a flexible option for us and aligns with our goal of continuing to increase rider satisfaction.”

    UZURV says its supplemental service has had promising results. The average cost per trip has been 30 percent less than the previous sub-contractor and UZURV is achieving an average on-time percentage of 98.5 percent (within a 15-minute window).