琉璃神社鈥檚 Crawford neighbourhood is the first in B.C. to have OnDemand Transit.
The service offers pickup times and locations passengers determine through a smartphone app or phone. It provides more direct trips, quicker commutes, and shorter wait times.
鈥淭his new innovative service, which will improve mobility and sustainability in our community, is the first of its kind in the province, and we are thrilled to launch it here in 琉璃神社,鈥� explains Erinn Pinkerton, BC Transit president and CEO.
Starting Apr. 28, the hybrid approach in the Crawford area will provide a fixed-route service during peak hours and OnDemand during all other times.
鈥溋鹆裆玮�檚 ridership is at an all-time high,鈥� Pinkerton adds. 鈥淲e鈥檙e hoping to achieve seven million rides in 2024.鈥�
That is a 12 per cent increase over 2023.
鈥淒ouble-digit growth in ridership is a sign of the success of the 琉璃神社 Regional Transit System,鈥� Pinkerton notes.
Mayor Tom Dyas is pleased 琉璃神社 is the jumping-off point for the service that will eventually be offered throughout the province.
鈥淚鈥檝e seen it in action back in Oshawa. Which quickly resulted in advanced frequency and availability of services in their area.鈥�
Rob Bryans, Canada Country Manager with Via Transportation the TransitTech provider, says the service will revolutionize how transit riders get around.
鈥淰ia has delivered this technology and service to about 700 cities, counties, and communities around the world and we鈥檙e bringing that global technology to Crawford and 琉璃神社.鈥�
Fixed-route service in Crawford will be available on Route 15 twice a day Monday through Friday between 8-8:30 a.m. and 3:30-4 p.m.
OnDemand transit will be available Monday through Friday between 7 -8 a.m., 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and 4 -7 p.m.
Weekend and holiday availability is from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
There are no fixed routes or schedules with OnDemand service, as buses are dispatched on a request basis to a designated safe pick-up location near the customer.
Ride requests begin and end within the Crawford area including service to Canyon Falls Middle School and the Mission Recreation Transit Exchange.
BC Transit and the City of 琉璃神社 partnered with TransitTech provider, Via Transportation and Transdev to offer the service.
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