A Recurring Problem

Over the last several weeks fuel prices have spiked across the US and the world. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and inflation have contributed to some of the highest gas prices ever recorded. As a result of unsustainable land-use planning, inadequate funding for public transit systems and dependence on fossil fuels, many individuals are stuck with no reasonable alternative than to pay the price at the pump. This begs the question: how can we be better prepared for the next time gas prices spike?

Building more infrastructure to make it more reasonable to walk, bike and take transit is a long-term solution to the problem many are facing right now. In the short term, organizations should consider how they can offer additional transportation options like shared shuttles, shared bikes and scooters and on demand transportation. 

Many businesses, campuses and cities already offer different transportation options like shuttles. However, the vehicles used may also be gas-powered and constrained. When oil prices spike, operators and owners must suddenly account for more operational costs to pay for fuel. Now is a good time for operators to focus on efficiency. How can services be adjusted to maximize fuel efficiency? Should your organization begin budgeting for electric vehicle fleets? Would it make sense to include shared bikes or other transportation modes in your service offering?

Providing More Options

TripShot has been working to provide solutions for these problems since 2014. While other companies focused on ride-sharing capabilities, we saw an opportunity to fix broken commuter systems in the private sector and then in the public and university transit industries. We integrated all facets of the mobility ecosystem into a single, seamless technology solution that’s capable of serving, connecting and optimizing all transit networks. 

TripShot prioritizes flexibility and prepares our customers for the future of transportation management. Our solution captures and stores data every one to two seconds from every TripShot equipped vehicle on the road, allowing for extensive reporting on all aspects of a transportation system. TripShot’s dashboards deliver easy-to-view fleet analytics on key metrics like ridership, on-time performance and total traveled vehicle mileage. Transit systems powered by TripShot receive a wealth of data to help solve your immediate operational challenges or minimize the impact of larger problems outside of your control, like the current fuel shortage. By utilizing TripShot to make your system as flexible as possible you can also maximize trip efficiencies and integrate sustainable transportation modes.  

Preparing for the Expected

Organizations can minimize the impact of gas shortages by expecting the unexpected, like volatile gas prices affecting commuters and breaking the budget for gas-powered shuttle operations. If not already investing in infrastructure improvements for walking, biking and taking transit, organizations should start to plan for everyone, not just single-use vehicle commuting. Piloting a program with TripShot is not only quick and easy but will help you solve current issues your transit system is facing.

Moments like these require transportation leaders to think big about how transit can alleviate the burden of increasing fuel prices. The transportation landscape has changed dramatically over the last several years, and the industry will continue to face new challenges. TripShot can power a transit system that is more resilient in the face of unexpected hurdles and able to meet the changing needs of riders, drivers and operators.