Joint project to increase public transit ridership using innovative real-time web and mobile bus tracking solution

Shepherd Intelligent Systems (SIS), an innovative provider of real-time mobile and wireless public transportation tracking systems, has partnered with the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) “TheRide” for a pilot project. SIS is one of a dozen student-run businesses that received start-up support from the University of Michigan College of Engineering’s Center for Entrepreneurship and other local firms via the TechArb business incubator, where the young entrepreneurs shared space, equipment and ideas with one another.

SIS provides turn-key solutions combining leading-edge mobile technology with software to allow mass transit users the opportunity to review the real-time location of vehicles through active maps via a website or mobile site. The system also allows riders to receive highly accurate predictions of bus arrival time at all stops along the route using mobile text messages.

Shepherd Intelligent Systems is a spin-off company of the University of Michigan’s “Magic Bus” program. The “Magic Bus” platform is currently used in all U-M buses and has drawn significant attention from students, faculty and employees of the University for its real-time updates and accuracy of predictions. SIS is testing the next generation of “Magic Bus”, with a more cost-effective, efficient and accurate platform than its predecessor.

Shepherd Intelligent Systems Co-Founder & CEO, Adrian Fortino stated, “The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority has consistently been a forward-thinking transportation organization through the use of hybrid systems and bio-diesel fuel. This pilot plan on route #6 is yet another example of the AATA seeking the best possible experience for its riders. Our service provides the AATA riders with a unique experience -- having the ability to see their bus on a real-time map and to estimate when the bus will be at their stop with the highest accuracy possible.”

Mary K. Stasiak, Manager of Community Relations, was quoted saying, “We are extremely excited about this pilot project with Shepherd Intelligent Systems. Their cutting-edge system will be a tremendous enhancement to current AATA services. We look forward to working closely with SIS throughout the pilot project in order to maximize the benefit to our customers. We have had many suggestions from our customers for this type of real-time technology. It is expected to be more user friendly and easier to determine when the bus will arrive at a given bus stop.”

• Get real-time maps/arrival time estimates from your computer or smartphone: http://www.shepherdis.com/theride/
• Bus schedule information is at: http://www.theride.org
• Text messaging for real time updates on bus arrivals

About Shepherd Intelligent Systems
Shepherd Intelligent Systems is a spin-off company of the University of Michigan, College of Engineering. SIS provides services to mass transit organizations which dramatically enhance the customer experience. The SIS technology provides real-time maps and tracking of vehicles, text messaging for vehicle time-of-arrival predictions and advances in operational efficiency in the most cost-effective package available.

About Ann Arbor Transportation Authority
The AATA is a not-for-profit unit of government that operates the local public transit system for the greater Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area. AATA enables the area's residents to reach their destinations at a reasonable cost, and offers the region efficient, environmentally sound transportation alternatives.

About the TechArb
The TechArb is a shared space for University of Michigan students that began with a few students looking for a shared office to work on their start-ups. Through assistance from the Center for Entrepreneurship, RPM Ventures and Maize Ventures, the TechArb was established in May 2009 to support 30 students as they embarked on a number of distinct start-ups. Several of these start-up companies have been received positively in the marketplace and continue to grow.