HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Harrisonburg Department of Public Transportation (HDPT) has successfully deployed a new Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) from Avail Technologies in advance of the fall 2026 academic season. The deployment helps ensure riders have access to reliable transit service as students return to James Madison University (JMU) and the Harrisonburg community. The implementation was completed in less than six months and timed specifically to support the return of students before the start of the academic year.

Delivered by Avail Technologies, the project was completed on an accelerated timeline to help HDPT prepare for one of its busiest periods of the year. The deployment includes technology designed to support day-to-day transit operations, passenger communications, and service visibility. Combined with implementation expertise, training, and hands-on support from Avail, the project helped HDPT prepare for increased rider demand ahead of the fall semester.

For HDPT, readiness before the start of the academic year was a key priority. Each fall brings increased transit demand as students return to JMU and other area institutions. Agency leadership recognized that reliable service and rider information are especially important as new students establish their transportation habits at the start of the school year.

“The start of the academic year is one of the most important times for public transportation in Harrisonburg,” said Gerald M. Gatobu, Director of Public Transportation for HDPT. “For many students arriving at JMU, their first experience with public transit happens during those first days on campus. We need that to be a great experience in order to capture that student rider for the entire time they’re enrolled. Avail worked alongside our team to meet an aggressive timeline and provided the support needed to prepare our staff and operations for a successful start to the school year. We were able to achieve that and the response thus far from students has been overwhelmingly positive! I’m happy to say we’re creating lifelong transit users. “

The project represents a renewed partnership between HDPT and Avail Technologies. A former Avail customer, HDPT returned to Avail’s purpose-built transit platform to support its goals for operational reliability, rider information, and service readiness. Through implementation, Avail provided training, operational support, and hands-on guidance to help the agency prepare for a successful launch.

“Technology is only part of a successful deployment,” said Rick Spangler, Chief Executive Officer of Avail Technologies. “What’s equally important is a service-first mindset and a focus on understanding what success means for each customer. For more than 25 years, Avail has worked alongside transit agencies to understand the operational challenges they face every day. HDPT had a critical deadline and a clear mission to be ready for riders as students returned to campus. Our team worked alongside the agency every step of the way, from implementation and training through go-live, to help ensure a successful launch. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together and look forward to continuing our partnership with HDPT and the Harrisonburg community.”

With the new system in place, HDPT is positioned to continue providing reliable transit service for residents, visitors, and students throughout the Harrisonburg community.

Avail Technologies is a 100% employee-owned ITS technology company dedicated to helping public transit agencies improve operations, maintenance, communications, rider experience, and organizational efficiency through integrated transit technology and services designed for the unique needs of each agency.