In This Blog
- Say Goodbye to Radios: Vontas OnCall replaces outdated radio systems with a VoIP platform that uses public cellular networks—cutting costs and improving reliability.
- Flexible Options for Every Agency: Choose OnCall Essential for standalone VoIP or OnCall Advanced for hybrid integration with Vontas OnRoute.
- Fast, Scalable Deployment: Agencies like DART and MBTA implemented OnCall across hundreds of vehicles in days, saving time and delivering rapid return on investment.
- Built for Real-World Transit: Features like text-to-speech, call recording, and automatic network switching ensure clear, uninterrupted communication.
- Better Service, Lower Costs: OnCall enhances safety, reduces infrastructure expenses, and improves the rider experience with real-time updates
Every successful transit operation relies on effective communication. But with traditional radio systems aging out, along with rising maintenance costs, limited coverage, and costly infrastructure, many agencies are searching for a more modern alternative. Enter Vontas OnCall – a purpose built Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) platform designed specifically for public transit.
Unveiled during this year’s ThinkTransit Product Showcase in Kansas City, OnCall offers a seamless way to improve connectivity and reliability while eliminating the technical headaches associated with traditional radio. Andrea Costa, Product Manager at Vontas, took the stage to introduce OnCall and share real-world stories of why agencies are embracing this powerful communication platform.
Why Agencies Are Moving Away from Traditional Radio
During ThinkTransit, Andrea Costa highlighted the growing challenges transit agencies face with ageing radio infrastructure. From the high costs of maintaining radio towers to service delays caused by dead zones and disruptions due to shared emergency bandwidth, it’s clear that many systems no longer meet the expectations of today’s riders or operations teams.
These limitations come at a cost. When a radio tower fails or a dispatcher loses contact with a vehicle, the ripple effects can delay service, compromise passenger safety, and heighten operational risk. With capital budgets under strain, repairing or replacing outdated radio systems is often not financially feasible.
Vontas OnCall addresses these issues by using public cellular networks to provide clear, uninterrupted communication—without the expense and complexity of maintaining traditional radio infrastructure.
Two Flexible Options to Meet Agency Needs
A standout feature of Vontas OnCall is its versatility. Transit agencies vary in size, scope, and operational complexity, and OnCall offers two tailored solutions to meet diverse needs.
OnCall is a standalone VoIP solution that delivers dependable, high-quality communication without relying on traditional radio towers. It’s an ideal choice for agencies prioritizing affordability and scalability—especially those aiming to modernize with minimal infrastructure investment.
Vontas OnRoute VoIP integrates directly with Vontas OnRoute, enabling intelligent switching between public cellular networks and private radio systems. This hybrid model ensures uninterrupted service, even if one network experiences downtime—making it a strong fit for agencies with mission-critical routes or complex coverage requirements.
Together, these two offerings empower agencies to scale their communications in alignment with operational goals and evolving technology environments.
Quick Implementation, Immediate Impact
Modernizing communication shouldn’t require lengthy timelines or service disruptions. Two transit agencies—Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)— demonstrated just how straightforward deploying Vontas OnCall can be.
At DART, OnCall was rolled out across 375 vehicles in only two weeks. The rapid deployment involved minimal infrastructure changes and led to immediate operational improvements.
At MBTA, implementation was even faster. Within just 48 hours, OnCall was installed on 750 vehicles. As part of MBTA’s Orion upgrade, OnCall replaced manual radio checks with automated system diagnostics and status reporting. This enhancement saved up to 10 minutes per driver per shift—equating to 45 hours saved per weekday driver and an estimated annual return on investment of $700,000.
Designed for the Realities of Transit Operations
Beyond its ease of deployment, Vontas OnCall meets the real-world communication demands of transit teams. It enables text-to-speech messaging for consistent, audible communication from dispatchers and includes call recording and storage features to support transparency and incident review.
Its multi-mode backup ensures fail-safe operation by automatically switching between public cellular and private radio networks, allowing for clear, uninterrupted communication—even in low-signal environments or across mixed fleets.
The solution also integrates seamlessly with Vontas solutions like OnRoute and OnTransit, enabling agencies to create a fully connected operations – from real-time vehicle location and predictive maintenance to instant, reliable communication between vehicles and dispatch.
The Bigger Picture—Enhanced Safety, Lower Costs, Better Rider Experience
From a financial perspective, Vontas OnCall helps reduce both capital and operational expenditures by eliminating the need for costly private infrastructure. By leveraging public cellular networks, agencies can lower overhead while maintaining consistent, high-quality performance.
Operationally, OnCall empowers agencies to act with greater speed and flexibility. Whether rerouting during a detour, responding to an emergency, or coordinating a special event, OnCall equips teams with the tools to respond swiftly and keep passengers informed.
Most importantly, this reliability translates directly into a better rider experience. Communication delays can erode service quality and public trust. OnCall bridges those gaps, enabling agencies to deliver timely updates and dependable service—without added complexity.
It’s Time to Move Beyond Radio
The future of transit communication is cloud-based, mobile, and ready for deployment. Vontas OnCall provides agencies with a smarter way to communicate, manage service, and adapt to evolving needs. It’s cost-effective, quick to implement, and designed to grow alongside your operations.
Discover how your agency can transition from legacy radio systems to a modern VoIP solution—with fewer disruptions, reduced costs, and enhanced flexibility.