Taking a Closer Look at Our ThinkTransit 2026 Partnership:MBTA

We’re excited to announce that the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will be our celebrated host for ThinkTransit 2026, held in Boston, Massachusetts, from March 29 to April 1. Boston’s transit history stretches back centuries, and today, the MBTA remains an essential hub of innovation and mobility for millions of riders each year. The Vontas team is looking forward to being in one of America’s most storied transit cities for our biggest event of the year.

As we gear up for next year’s conference, we’re taking a moment to highlight the MBTA’s long legacy, its ongoing modernization journey, and how tools like Vontas OnCall are helping shape the future of service in the region.

A Transit System With Deep Roots

Public transportation is woven into the fabric of Boston. In fact, the city introduced North America’s first subway line in 1897. That early innovation, just one and a half miles of track connecting Boylston, Park Street, and Scollay Square, marked the start of what would eventually grow into the extensive MBTA system that serves the Greater Boston area today.

Now, the MBTA, or “the T” as it’s known locally, moves more than one million passengers each weekday across a network of subway lines, buses, commuter rail, ferries, and paratransit. The system serves 176 municipalities and covers more than 3,200 square miles, making it one of the largest and most complex public transit systems in the U.S.

That scale and reach also speak to something less tangible but just as important: the emotional connection people have to the system. One standout example came from Love on the Spectrum U.S., when Bostonian Dani shared her personal love for the T. Her enthusiasm reflected something many locals feel; beyond just a means to get around, the MBTA is a symbol of independence, community, and city pride.

It’s that deep-rooted connection between a city and its system that makes the MBTA’s continued evolution so meaningful.

Supporting Accessibility With the RIDE and Vontas OnCall

For many years, the MBTA’s paratransit service, The RIDE, has provided crucial transportation access to customers with disabilities. The service completes thousands of door-to-door trips each day, supporting mobility for those who rely on personalized service the most.

When the MBTA needed assistance managing this vital program, it turned to Vontas. They found that OnCall brought together the tools that the MBTA needed to schedule, dispatch, and monitor trips in real time—all from one centralized platform. With better visibility into daily operations, dispatchers can now respond quickly to delays, adjust schedules, and ensure vehicles stay on track throughout the day.

By consolidating workflows, OnCall also helps reduce administrative burden and improve communication between staff and customers. These operational gains directly impact the rider experience: passengers receive timely updates, encounter fewer disruptions, and gain greater confidence in the system. And with a system as large as the MBTA’s, that consistency matters.

Prepare to Explore the City Where the Past Meets Progress

ThinkTransit 2026 will take place in a city where transportation has long been central to civic life. For conference attendees, it’s a chance to experience that firsthand.

When you’re not in breakout sessions or connecting with peers, there’s plenty to explore:

•  Ride the Green Line, the oldest subway in the country that is still in operation.
•  Walk the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile red brick path that connects historic sites from the American Revolution.
• Visit Boston Common, the nation’s oldest public park.
• Catch a game or tour Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox and a landmark in its own right. 
• Explore the Seaport District, where innovation hubs and public art share the waterfront with great restaurants and museums.

Boston offers a mix of old and new, which makes it the perfect location to discuss where transit has been and where it’s headed next.

What to Expect at ThinkTransit 2026

ThinkTransit is the annual conference where agencies come together to share ideas, ask questions, and workshop real-world challenges.

Here’s a brief look at this year’s events:

• Hands-on product training to deepen your knowledge of Vontas solutions like OnRoute and OnCall
• Customer-led sessions where peers share best practices and lessons learned 
• Open forums with product experts, engineers, and developers 
• Keynotes and panels that explore the future of mobility, innovation, and community impact

And of course, there will be plenty of time to connect with colleagues, explore Boston, and celebrate how far public transit has come. We’re proud to partner with the MBTA and are excited to see what insights, connections, and conversations come out of ThinkTransit 2026. We can’t wait to see you there.