City prepares to launch largest on-demand public transit service in Canada
Edmonton's bus network is being overhauled on April 25 with new routes, new bus stops and the largest on-demand transit program in Canada to areas of the city without service.
The two-year pilot on-demand transit program will be run through private operator Pwtransit in partnership with Via and provide shuttle bus service to residents in 37 neighbourhoods and 16 large seniors residences that have either lost their local bus route under the new bus network or never had service. A list of the eligible locations can be found on the city's website.
On Wednesday, the city launched the Edmonton On Demand Transit app, which residents can use to book a trip up to 60 minutes in advance. An online booking tool will also be introduced Thursday.
Here's how the new $20.8-million program will work.
WHAT IS ON-DEMAND TRANSIT?
Edmonton city council approved the on-demand transit pilot program last March to fill gaps in the new bus network for those communities without service. Shuttles will be available to transport riders from 37 neighbourhoods and 16 seniors residences that are now more than 600 metres away from a bus stop, said Sarah Feldman, the city's director of planning and scheduling.
Residents will be taken from a pickup location in their community to one of nine transit hubs, according to where they live, and then be able to connect to the city's transit system. Users won't be required to pay a fare for the on-demand service and will pay when transferring to a bus.
The city contracted out the operation of the service to Pwtransit, who will be providing the shuttles and drivers. The vehicles will be able to seat 10 to 14 people, have room for one or two wheelchairs and have up to two built-in child safety seats. Most of the shuttles are equipped with a wheelchair lift and there are five low-floor shuttles with entry ramps dedicated to the seniors homes. Residents are asked to identify their accessibility needs when booking a trip.
HOW TO BOOK?
Riders will have three booking options and are encouraged to use the mobile app because it will allow users to book trips and track the shuttle to get an accurate time of arrival.
Users will also be able to book online or by calling 780-496-2400. Trips can be booked up to an hour in advance on the day of travel and must be booked individually each day.
When booking, residents will be given a designated stop to meet the shuttle.
In most neighbourhoods, the walking distance is around 400 metres to the nearest spot.
Wait times will vary depending on the number of customers and locations of the fleet of 57 shuttles, but Feldman said the service will be mostly right away during peak periods with shuttle buses in the area waiting for trips to be booked. The maximum wait time won't exceed 30 minutes in peak periods and 60 minutes in off-peak periods.
The bus will wait only one minute after a scheduled pickup time so residents are encouraged to book a trip home when they know they will be able to make the connection or are already in the transit hub.
If riders change their mind, trips must be cancelled 20 minutes prior to boarding. Accounts will be reviewed if there is a frequent number of no shows or cancellations.
WHERE DO THE BUSES GO?
All of the 37 neighbourhoods will have a number of pickup and drop-off locations marked by an on-demand transit sign.
At transit centres, the spots will be marked by signs on bus stop poles.
When booking a trip, a vehicle number will be provided so riders know what vehicle to board since they aren't equipped with destination signs on the front.
Some neighbourhoods will be serviced by more than one transit hub and residents will have to pick which location to go to when booking a trip. A map of the on-demand locations can be found online.
The shuttle bus service will run seven days a week in neighbourhoods from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. Seniors residences will have the service from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day.
More details can be found in the city's on-demand transit guide.