Council to Consider Bus Service Software
The City Council on Monday will consider buying computer software intended to make Simi Valley’s popular dial-a-ride service more convenient and efficient.
Proposed is a $44,700 contract with Multisystems Inc. of Cambridge, Mass., for the software plus a $6,000 maintenance contract.
Use of the low-cost transit service has grown in recent years to 28,000 trips annually, said Community Services Director Diane Jones. The service uses three vans and has a fourth on order.
The software is designed to allow riders to schedule van rides by phone. It also would map the most efficient routes, calculate distance and travel time and maintain a database of trips.
The current software is overwhelmed by the scheduling demand, officials say.
Also at the meeting, the council will be asked to approve the purchase of a $3,500 backup computer for the dial-a-ride service. The city’s 1997-1998 budget included $52,000 for the new scheduling and dispatching software.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
