Transit (SMS) Text Message Service

Solution shall support:
a. A fully hosted Ad-free Two-way SMS text message solution and request/response features.
a. Allow riders to use a designated short code to text a Stop ID# to receive real-time arrival information updates.
b. The SMS message should include:
a. Stop
b. Route
c. To
d. Time stamp
i. Eg: A rider texts to a short code number the message “PSTA 4091”
ii. The rider receives a text message providing the following details
o Stop: Missouri Ave N + 2nd Ave NE
o Route: 18 – Dtwn Clearwater/ Grand Central
o To: 18B Park St Terminal 18B Via 58th St
o 52 minutes
o Route: 18 - Dtwn Clearwater/Grand Central
o To: 18A Park St Terminal 18A Via 66th St
o 23 & 83 minutes
o Route:52 – Dtwn Clearwater/ PSTA Complex
o To: 52B Park St Terminal 52B Via MLK Jr. Ave
o 18 & 52 minutes
o Reply R to refresh
c. The Rider should simply reply R to refresh
d. The messaging solution should support all major U.S. carriers
e. Integrate with GTFS-RT feeds to gain real time information from current servers
f. Required uptime 99.9%
g. Meet data security and compliance standards
h. Timeline for a fully functional short code - must be operational ahead of the June 2027 cutoff period, and PSTA should have sufficient time to cut over and test the new system
i. Must provide the ability to send out mass alerts to subscribers
j. Provide the customer with an option to subscribe for alerts
k. Monthly reports of data usage should be made available for download
l. Provide real-time bus information for all stops
m. Comply with applicable federal and state privacy requirements
n. Provide notification to PSTA within 24 hours of identifying any security incident
o. Provide two (2) 1-hour training sessions. One hour for the IT department on all backend technical requirements and one hour for Marketing and Customer Service on using the platform.