City set to offer new transit app for bus riders

The long-awaited transit app that lets riders know on their smartphones exactly when their bus is coming may be available soon in Peterborough if city council approves a plan Monday to buy all the requisite technology and have it installed on buses.

At City Hall on Monday evening, council will consider having the firm Strategic Mapping Inc. of Toronto install the systems – as well as maintain them and offer technical support — for a total cost of $1.9 million.

A new city staff report states it will mean:

Computerized scheduling systems for buses, rather than schedules printed on paper.

Updated GPS software on buses, as well as an Automated Vehicle Location system to allow for real-time tracking of buses on the road — meaning riders will be able to download an app for their phones to see when the bus is coming.

Software for transit signal priority at intersections, meaning a bus will be able to send an automatic signal to a traffic signal as it approaches to hold the green light, if it is running late.

Automatic passenger counters that notify dispatchers when a bus is filling up and a second bus must be sent (which happens on the Trent University and Fleming College express routes, according to a report from city staff ).

Interior and exterior cameras for buses, which capture images on the bus when there’s an altercation or collect footage in case of collision.

If councillors approve the plan, the report states, installation could begin on June 18 and the technology would be fully operational by March 31.

City staff is recommending Strategic Mapping Inc. of Toronto for the job after a competitive bid process.

The firm scored highest of three bidders on criteria that included pricing as well as experience and warranties.

The new technology will also mean other conveniences for transit riders, too.

For instance, there will be a new website that allows you to plan your trip — including walk route and the amount of time you can expect to spend on the bus and on foot.

The new systems can also be made to send custom notifications to riders about routes or transit stops they frequently use.