Optibus, the leading end-to-end software platform for public transportation planning and operations, today announced the launch of its new Demand Response Transport (DRT) Planning feature within the Planning module. This significant update empowers transit agencies to bridge the gap between fixed-route reliability and the adaptability of flexible routes.
As transportation agencies and operators increasingly supplement or replace low-ridership fixed routes with flexible service, the tools available to planners have not kept pace, particularly within fixed-route planning environments. The launch of DRT capabilities within the Planning module streamlines how Optibus users design demand-response services, creating a more unified, cohesive, and faster workflow: exporting data to disconnected GIS applications or other software, managing manual transfers, and toggling between platforms built around entirely different service logic. GTFS Flex, which unlocks interoperability and passenger-facing discoverability for DRT services, has remained largely out of reach for agencies without dedicated tooling.
The Optibus DRT Planning module changes that, bringing flexible service design and GTFS Flex publishing into the same unified environment planners already use for their fixed-route network.
One Platform for Every Service Type
The transit landscape is evolving. At a per-route level, there is more demand-response service than fixed-route service in the US. Optibus’ new feature meets this demand head-on, providing a seamless "all-in-one" experience that eliminates the need for cumbersome manual data transfers.
"Our goal is to empower agencies to bring all of their services - fixed and flexible - into a single, sophisticated planning environment. With the launch of Optibus’ DRT Planning and our support for GTFS Flex, the public transportation industry gains valuable tools for improving service quality, reaching underserved communities more efficiently, and treating demand response service as a first-class part of the network."
- Amos Haggiag, CEO and Co-founder, Optibus
GTFS Flex: From Standard to Practice
GTFS Flex represents a significant step forward for the industry, extending the ubiquitous GTFS standard to encode the booking rules, zone definitions, and service logic that make demand response routes work.
Optibus is committed to being a leading voice in making GTFS Flex adoption practical and widespread. With native GTFS Flex import and export built directly into the planning workflow, agencies can now model flexible services with the same rigor and precision they apply to fixed routes and publish them so riders can discover and plan trips using the same apps they already rely on.
Key Features and Capabilities
- Flexible Route Management: Import, define, and manage service zones. Build flexible routes with intuitive rule definition. Configure booking rules (e.g., prior-notice requirements) and more.
- Comprehensive Network View: Give planners the ability to view fixed and flexible routes within the map.
- Dynamic Service Visualization: Visualize DRT service behavior, including complex multi-zone networks.
Be among the first to see this technology live: Register here to join our May 26 webinar for a first look at how this solution is transforming DRT planning.
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ABOUT OPTIBUS
Optibus is a unified software platform for public transportation planning, scheduling, rostering, operations, real-time control, and passenger information, powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and optimization algorithms. In thousands of cities worldwide, transportation agencies and operators use Optibus to maximize the positive impact of public transportation on passengers and the planet, improve operational efficiency and service quality, promote transportation equity, reduce emissions and costs, and modernize operations. Learn more: www.optibus.com
Optibus’ clients include public transport agencies, Departments of Transportation (DoTs), private operators and shuttle providers for airports, universities, corporations and events in cities across more than 35 countries in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.
