Overview
Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) provides public transportation services across Jacksonville, Florida. Its Service Department wanted to improve on-time performance and schedule reliability for Route 30, which suffered from recurring delays near a local high school during peak student traffic hours. JTA turned to Optibus Predictive Runtimes to address these issues using real-world data and advanced scheduling intelligence.
Challenge
On-time performance fluctuations in a local school zone were frustrating passengers and adding stress to drivers and operations. JTA’s Service Delivery Manager (SDM) set out to ensure reliable passenger service throughout the day, not just off-peak hours.
Solution
To tackle the issue, JTA used Optibus Predictive Runtimes, which uses real-time data to generate optimized runtimes that better reflect current operating conditions. The engine is powered by data from Snapper Services, whose Mosaiq Transit Intelligence Suite processed the agency’s real-time vehicle positioning data and made it available via API.
Using data collected in Fall 2024, Optibus’ software analyzed traffic patterns and proposed refined timetable suggestions. JTA planners cross-validated Optibus’ recommendations against CAD/AVL data in Power BI dashboards. The predictive runtimes closely matched actual performance metrics, providing the confidence needed to proceed with updates.
Results
- On-time performance improved ten percentage points, from 83.4% to 94%.
- Schedule reliability increased.
- Drivers reported that trips were running “right on the nose.”
- According to the assistant SDM, some days the route reached up to 98% OTP — a major accomplishment.
- Cost savings from reduced timetable delays.
JTA’s operators are proud of the improvement. One staff member shared: “We did a great job.”
Drivers also appreciate the recognition that comes with operating high-OTP routes, boosting morale and motivation.
Jacksonville’s new schedules now account more accurately for peak school traffic, especially westbound on 103rd Street, improving punctuality without overcompensating with excess layover time.
