Business View Magazine - Mar 2024

and departures. Introducing an app-based wallet system represents another stride towards modernizing fare collection. Riders can preload funds, pay for rides, and even cover parking fees, all from their smartphones. “Upon boarding, passengers can simply scan their phones against electronic validators,” Clegg explains, showcasing the seamless integration of technology into the fare payment process. This system, coupled with infrared passenger counters, automates the tracking of boarding and alighting, offering valuable data to optimize service routes and schedules. Addressing the needs of less technologically adept passengers, Clegg emphasizes the organization’s commitment to accessibility. “We maintain a robust customer service operation, capable of assisting passengers in person, over the phone, or at our facilities,” she notes. This ensures that all riders, regardless of their comfort with technology, can access information, purchase fares, and receive support when needed. As Valley Regional Transit contemplates the future of fare collection, including the potential continuation of cash payments onboard, Clegg underscores the balance between technological advancement and accessibility. Pursuing a more technologically advanced fare collection system, possibly integrating mobile payment platforms like Google Pay or Apple Pay, reflects the organization’s forward-thinking ethos. “The new world of fare collection is evolving rapidly, presenting both challenges and opportunities for public transit systems,” Clegg says, hinting at the possible future of public transportation in the digital age. VALLEY REGIONAL TRANSIT’S GREEN INITIATIVES Environmental considerations are currently front and center across industries, and public transit systems globally are under pressure to adopt sustainable practices. Valley Regional Transit is no exception, undertaking significant capital upgrades to enhance operational efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint. CEO Clegg outlines an ambitious agenda for the organization, from fleet electrification to developing high-amenity bus stops. 156 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 03