Orbital Awarded $15 Million Contract for a Public Transit Fleet Management System in Rochester, NY

DULLES, Va.--Orbital Sciences Corporation announced today that its Transportation Management Systems (TMS) division has been awarded a $15 million contract with the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) of Rochester, New York for an integrated public transit fleet management system for over 300 vehicles. The Orbital system will allow for complete information sharing between the RGRTA’s business systems, customers and fixed- and paratransit-route services.

RGRTA will receive Orbital’s latest Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system, known as OrbCAD XP, along with a new Operations Management module. These automated tools will help RGRTA improve the effectiveness of its Regional Transit Service, Inc. (RTS) fixed-route bus service and its Lift Line, Inc. paratransit service. The Operations Management tool will close the loop between planning and real-time operations, improving resource utilization and responsiveness to customer feedback. Orbital will supply RGRTA with an integrated suite of real-time analytical tools that will assist in overall operations management of its 250-vehicle fixed route fleet, as well as its 52 paratransit and 14 supervisory and support vehicles.

“The Technology Initiatives for Driving Excellence (TIDE) program is the most comprehensive customer focused project in the history of the Authority demonstrating our commitment to excellence in customer service and improved information systems,” said RGRTA Chief Executive Officer Mark Aesch. “The implementation of the Orbital systems as part of the TIDE project will improve our data collection capabilities, enhancing our ability to provide our customers with improved and efficient public transportation by putting buses on the road where people want to go, when they want to go there.”

Orbital will supply its OrbStar Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) in both RGRTA’s RTS fixed-route vehicles as well as in the Lift Line paratransit vehicles. The color-display MDTs will provide detailed turn-by-turn navigational directions, along with updated, real-time manifests to Lift Line operators. As adjustments are made to passenger pick-up and drop-off times throughout the service day, the Lift Line service will be able to more effectively respond to real time route and customer travel patterns.

In addition the current capabilities, Orbital’s advanced vehicle equipment suite will allow for the implementation of many new features such as farebox integration, video surveillance and on-board announcements. Vehicle performance and location information is also captured to enable traveler information to be distributed to the public via the RGRTA website and the Orbital-provided SmartTraveler information signs located at bus stops and transit centers.

RGRTA will be introducing an enhanced fare collection system that will feature smart cards for its customers and will be integrated with the OrbCAD system. The smart cards will be able to function as stored value passes, stored ride passes, period passes and rolling period passes. Value can be added to the cards at ticket vending machines, kiosks or via a web-based process. The convenience of using smart cards and the associated speed of boarding will enhance the riding experience for all of RGRTA’s customers.

Mr. A. David Kachemov, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Orbital TMS, said, “Orbital is enthusiastic about its rejuvenated relationship with the RGRTA and is very excited about teaming with them on the TIDE project. Orbital shares the RGRTA’s vision and commitment of making customer service the utmost priority for all of Rochester’s public transportation services. Orbital will provide many of the tools that will allow RGRTA to enhance its customer focus.”

Mr. Kachemov added, “Our flexible scheduling, innovative products and dedicated team of professionals will enable Orbital to deliver a system that benefits the RGRTA team by improving their situational awareness, as well as providing new customer-friendly features for fixed-route and paratransit system customers. The OrbCAD XP system’s open architecture will allow the RGRTA to add innovative features in the future as demand for public transportation services increases.”

About RGRTA

The Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) provides quality public transportation to 50,000 customers every day throughout seven counties in the Rochester Genesee and Finger Lakes regions of New York State. RGRTA is a customer-focused, data driven system built around one concept – connecting people to where they want to go. Affordable pricing, easily accessible and understandable information for existing and prospective customers, a quick and dependable trip, and a well-trained workforce that is committed to customer service are enhancements that support the Authority’s basic purpose. More information on RGRTA can be found at www.rgrta.com.

About Orbital TMS

Orbital TMS is a leading integrator of products for fleet and workforce management, mobile data communications, data management and advanced traveler information systems. It provides integrated Computer Aided Dispatch and Automatic Vehicle Location solutions for 50 public transit and state agency customers in the U.S. and internationally, with units installed or scheduled to be installed on nearly 30,000 vehicles. More information about Orbital TMS can be found at http://www.orbitaltms.com

About Orbital

Orbital develops and manufactures small space and rocket systems for commercial, military and civil government customers. The company’s primary products are satellites and launch vehicles, including low-orbit, geosynchronous-orbit and planetary spacecraft for communications, remote sensing, scientific and defense missions; ground- and air-launched rockets that deliver satellites into orbit; and missile defense systems that are used as interceptor and target vehicles. Orbital also offers space-related technical services to government agencies and develops and builds satellite-based transportation management systems for public transit agencies and private vehicle fleet operators. More information about Orbital can be found at http://www.orbital.com.