Optibus
Scheduling Services
Location: Baton Rouge, Lousiana
Service Type: Scheduling Sevices
Project Overview
Vectour supported Optibus in delivering Scheduling as a
Service for the Capital Area Transit System in Baton Rouge during a period of
significant operational and labor change. Over the past two years, the
agency faced ongoing service reliability challenges, workforce constraints,
and a highly visible labor strike that underscored the need for compliant,
transparent, and operationally realistic scheduling practices.
From the outset, our first priority was learning and internalizing the
Collective Bargaining Agreement. In a system emerging from labor
disruption, understanding the CBA was not just a technical requirement but a
trust building exercise. Before developing any scheduling scenarios, we
conducted a detailed review of work rules governing pay time, spread, rest
periods, days off, overtime protections, and bid rules. This foundational step
ensured that every run cut was compliant, defensible, and aligned with
commitments made to operators, while also reducing the risk of grievances
or additional labor actions following the strike.
Service for the Capital Area Transit System in Baton Rouge during a period of
significant operational and labor change. Over the past two years, the
agency faced ongoing service reliability challenges, workforce constraints,
and a highly visible labor strike that underscored the need for compliant,
transparent, and operationally realistic scheduling practices.
From the outset, our first priority was learning and internalizing the
Collective Bargaining Agreement. In a system emerging from labor
disruption, understanding the CBA was not just a technical requirement but a
trust building exercise. Before developing any scheduling scenarios, we
conducted a detailed review of work rules governing pay time, spread, rest
periods, days off, overtime protections, and bid rules. This foundational step
ensured that every run cut was compliant, defensible, and aligned with
commitments made to operators, while also reducing the risk of grievances
or additional labor actions following the strike.
Vectour worked closely with local Baton Rouge operations, scheduling, and
dispatch staff to prepare agency specific settings ahead of each run cut. This
included validating relief locations, pull out and pull in assumptions, garage
capacity, layover expectations, and operator reporting practices. Given
recent staffing volatility, particular attention was paid to designing runs that
were operationally achievable and sustainable for operators, avoiding
unrealistic recovery time or excessive spread that could undermine morale
and service reliability.
In parallel, Vectour analyzed running times across the network using
historical performance data and operational insight from the local team.
Routes with persistent lateness were reviewed to identify mismatches
between scheduled time and actual conditions. Adjustments were
incorporated into the run cuts to reduce chronic lateness on key corridors,
improve on time performance, and support a more consistent customer
experience without unnecessarily inflating platform hours.
Throughout the engagement, Vectour developed and refined multiple
scheduling scenarios within Optibus, incorporating feedback from agency
leadership and frontline staff. When revisions were required, updated cuts
were delivered within seventy two hours to maintain momentum and meet
pick timelines. Deliverables included compliant bid packages, full operator
rosters, productivity summaries, public facing timetables, and clean GTFS
exports ready for operational and customer facing use.
exports ready for operational and customer facing use.
Union engagement was a core component of the work. Vectour supported
Optibus and the agency by participating in run cut presentations to union
leadership, clearly explaining how CBA provisions were applied and how
lessons learned from recent labor challenges were reflected in the schedules.
This transparency helped build trust, reduced friction during the bid process,
and supported smoother implementation during a sensitive period for the
workforce.
Throughout the process, Vectour worked alongside local scheduling staff to
review assumptions, explain Optibus outputs, and build internal confidence
in both the tools and the scheduling methodology. The resulting approach
established a repeatable framework for future run picks that balances labor
compliance, operational feasibility, and service reliability.
Taken together, this work supported Capital Area Transit System during a
period of recovery and transition by strengthening labor relations, improving
schedule adherence, and creating a sustainable foundation for future service
changes.
