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On demand pilot routes included in first phase of Transit Master Plan
A vision for the future of Wood Buffalo’s public transit system was approved at Tuesday’s Council meeting.
The Transit Master Plan will guide changes and improvements to RMWB Transit to make better connections between and within Wood Buffalo communities, with fewer transfers and faster arrivals. The approved plan also includes recommendations to improve accessibility and rural transit while reducing operating costs and maintaining affordability.
Multi-year plan focuses on core, neighbourhood and on demand routes
The plan includes multiple phases to be implemented over several years. The recommended transit network has three major components:
- Two high-frequency core routes
- Neighbourhood routes to connect with core routes
- On demand routes to provide service to low-ridership areas
No major changes are planned for school routes.
On-demand pilot routes
Phase 1 will transition Route 18 Taiga Nova and Route 61 Thickwood to on demand pilot routes, with the transition expected to be in place by 2024.
Riders in areas served by Route 18 and Route 61 will request the service by app, online or by phone. On demand service levels and wait times are intended to match the regular Transit service levels and wait times, based upon time of day.
Further updates and notices will be provided before on demand pilot routes are implemented.
Transit will evaluate the performance of the on demand routes throughout the implementation of the plan and adjust as necessary.
Phase 2 in the Transit Master Plan recommends the creation of a Thickwood-Downtown-Gregoire “core” route by combining Route 10 Gregoire, Route 11 Airport, and Route 16 Thickwood. This will include extending on demand services to the airport.
Increasing Transit advertising and promotion
This plan includes marketing and promotion of Transit routes to communicate changes to services affecting key rider groups, including secondary and post-secondary students.
These efforts will include promotion of key routes and useful services such as live-tracking via Google Maps and the Transit App. Promotion of Transit safety and etiquette rules will continue through the ‘Ride the right way’ campaign.
Improvements to SMART Bus service
The plan includes recommendations to expand the hours of door-to-door SMART Bus service, supported by on demand transit services.
Updating and refining SMART Bus policies and guidelines to make them easier to understand and follow are a key component of the plan. Introducing a travel training program to help SMART bus passengers is another key component.
The plan was created after extensive community engagement, and community feedback forms the basis of its recommendations.
If you have further questions about the Transit Master Plan, please contact Pulse at 780-743-7000 or online at rmwb.ca/pulse.
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