Contact: Judith M. Espinosa, 246-6410

September 18, 2002 UNM ATRI PREMIERS NEW TRANSIT SOFTWARE The ATR Institute (ATRI) at the University of New Mexico has launched its new Web-based software for rural transit providers. Termed the Client Referral, Ridership, and Financial Tracking (CRRAFT), the software is a unique system developed to link Internet-based management capabilities to rural New Mexico agencies. Transit systems in small and medium-sized New Mexico communities can now log-on to CRRAFT and view or enter data on their Web browsers, streamlining operations such as client scheduling, planning or updating routes, and recording or tracking vehicle usage. CRRAFT can generate routine reports such as drivers’ logs, vehicle maintenance or the types and numbers of monthly rides given. In addition, CRRAFT electronically produces financial management and administrative reports and provides the user with other tools to increase efficiency in accounting. The U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Joint Program Office, the Public Transportation Programs Bureau (PTPB) New Mexico Highway and Transportation Department (NMSHTD) and the N.M. Human Services Department have been the major funding agencies for ATRI to develop the CRRAFT software. The primary impetus for the software development was continuing efforts by the ATRI and New Mexico State agencies to expand rural transit programs for the working poor and those moving from welfare to work. During the 1997-2002 fiscal years, Congress provided federal funding to the FTA and the Health and Human Services Department for low income persons and welfare recipients. Federal agencies have provided an increase in grants to New Mexico and other states, with the incentive that states move to provide additional coordinated public transportation efforts to their residents. “Rural transit providers are small operations having office staffs of two or three people at most,” said Judith M. Espinosa, ATRI director. “The use of CRRAFT spurs continued coordination between transit providers and state agencies with clientele who need affordable, reliable public transportation to access life services. The CRRAFT technology bridges the gap between these transit providers and the governmental funding agencies requiring specialized reports showing how clients are being served.” “This system may become a model program for the deployment of rural intelligent transportation technology,” said transportation specialist William Wiggins of the FTA Office of Research, Demonstration, and Innovation in Washington, DC. “Our office supports new technologies that will provide efficiencies in public transportation systems and allow for greater mobility of rural residents. The CRRAFT is an attractive Internet-based management technology tool for public transportation agencies in states with large rural populations.” Field testing of the software has been completed and user training with 27 of the state’s rural transit providers continues through September. ATRI will continue to enhance the functionality of the software as new users from other regions are added. ATRI’s website can be viewed at http://www.unm.edu/~atr/ . ###

The University of New Mexico
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