Since 2020, transit agencies have navigated a period of extraordinary change. World-altering events, emerging technologies, and evolving travel behaviors have reshaped how agencies of all sizes deliver services. And data shows this rapid change of pace is unlikely to slow down. 

Looking ahead, the key to achieving agency goals lies in increasing flexibility and leveraging technology to enhance operations and service delivery. Pond plays a key role in this transformation, integrating innovative design, emerging technology, and data-driven strategies to help agencies modernize their systems and meet the needs of the next generation of transit users.

The Post-Pandemic Shift in Ridership

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected transit systems nationwide. While ridership has steadily recovered, it remains below 2019 levels in most areas. Changing travel markets continue to shape service delivery: office occupancy has stabilized at roughly 50 percent of pre-pandemic levels, while demand now centers on travel between residential and commercial areas with in-person destinations such as restaurants, entertainment venues, and retail centers.

This shift toward activity outside traditional office hours underscores the need for greater flexibility in service hours and routing. Data shows that more adaptable modes—such as bus and demand-response services—have led the recovery, followed by light and heavy rail. Commuter rail, with limited operational flexibility, continues to lag behind. 

Balancing Innovation and Efficiency

Despite these shifts, traditional strategies remain effective. Increasing transit frequency, improving reliability, and reducing travel times still correlate strongly with ridership growth. However, inflationary pressures have increased costs for vehicles, guideways, stations, and staffing, placing a premium on creativity and technology-driven solutions to improve efficiency while controlling expenditures.

At the same time, rising car ownership costs present an opportunity for agencies to attract new riders by emphasizing the value and convenience of public transit. 

Flexible Guideway Investments

Given the dynamic nature of transit markets, future-proofing investments with flexibility in design and implementation are essential. Modes such as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Arterial Rapid Transit (ART) can rival the capacity of Light Rail Transit (LRT) at a lower cost and with greater adaptability in routing and investment levels.

ART and BRT projects can be scaled appropriately, from dedicated lanes in congested corridors to transit signal priority at key intersections or simple pavement markings. In addition to being scaled, these modes are designed to have higher capacity and reliability compared to a conventional bus system.

Across the U.S., agencies investing in BRT are seeing strong returns: BRT miles traveled increased 44% between 2013 and 2023. Pond’s multidisciplinary team has deep experience guiding BRT and ART projects from early planning through federal grant applications and implementation.

Emerging Transit Technologies

New technologies continue to transform how agencies manage operations and deliver services. Emerging innovations—rooted in electrification, cloud-based platforms, and 5G-enabled communication—are creating opportunities to enhance efficiency, reduce operating costs, and improve customer experience.

While electric vehicles may carry higher up-front costs, they can yield long-term savings through off-peak charging strategies and lower maintenance requirements. Cloud-based platforms help agencies eliminate server costs, maintain up-to-date software, and improve customer-facing tools such as real-time vehicle tracking, mobile ticketing, and smartcard-based payments.

Meanwhile, communications technologies like Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) enable improved schedule adherence and travel times through advanced signal prioritization.

Transit-Oriented and Community Development

Land use and development policies also play a pivotal role in maximizing potential ridership. Pond’s expertise in transit-oriented development (TOD) bridges transportation planning with community development.

Pond recently led the Tara Boulevard Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) in Clayton County, Georgia, which supported planned BRT service along the corridor. The team developed TOD recommendations for key nodes and high-ridership stops, integrating mixed-use residential, medical office, retail, and dining developments. Additionally, the study recommended TOD overlay zones to encourage development aligned with the future BRT service. 

Enhancing Safe Connections Through Context-Sensitive Design

Improving first- and last-mile connections is critical to a safe, accessible, and efficient transit system. With an emphasis on context-sensitive design, and an understanding that safety depends on the surrounding environment and community characteristics, Pond’s approach goes beyond identifying crash hot spots or applying standard safety measures.

Each recommendation considers land use, traffic patterns, pedestrian activity, road configuration, and crash history. Drawing from its experience preparing Safety Action Plans, which outline data-informed strategies for reducing roadway fatalities and serious injuries, Pond delivers thoughtful, evidence-based improvements that strengthen safety and connectivity.

Integrating Microtransit with Fixed-Route Service

Microtransit is another mode reshaping how agencies serve areas that are difficult to reach with traditional fixed-route buses. Using 5G communications and mobile platforms, microtransit provides flexible, shared rides that complement existing networks and expand access.

In essence, microtransit bridges the gap between traditional bus service and individual rideshare options. By using app-based platforms and dynamic routing, it allows riders to request trips when and where they’re needed, creating a more personalized, efficient transit experience for lower-density or hard-to-reach areas.

Because of its adaptability, microtransit is an important tool for future-proofing transit systems. Pond has helped agencies develop plans that integrate microtransit with fixed routes—aligning service hours, identifying key transfer points, and optimizing coverage to improve overall system performance.

Looking Ahead

As transit agencies plan for the next decade, adaptability and innovation will remain essential. By investing in flexible infrastructure, emerging technologies, and integrated service models, agencies can better meet evolving travel demands.

Pond works alongside transit agencies to transform long-term goals into practical, implementable solutions. Our team brings together planners, engineers, and designers who understand that every community’s mobility challenges are unique. 

Through strategic planning, context-sensitive design, and data-driven innovation, we help agencies build systems that not only move people, but connect communities, strengthen equity, and support growth for decades to come. Learn more about Pond is shaping the future of public transit.