Medicine Hat Transit superintendent Gordon Dykstra and driver Tammy Hack work with the dispatch system module on a city bus that was shown off to the media and council officials on Wednesday morning at the Family Leisure Centre.--NEWS PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
Two city councillors and members of the media test drove a pilot project to offer “on-demand” transit service on two north-end bus routes this fall.
“It worked well,” said Coun. Phil Turnbull, who, along with Coun. Kris Samraj, was picked up from a random point in Crescent Heights and delivered to the Family Leisure Centre after arranging a ride through his smartphone.
“For me, it’s baby steps toward improving the bus service,” said Turnbull. “Right now we’ve got two big buses (on two routes) going round and round looking for people. This can change that and add flexibility for riders.”
It will allow riders to book ahead for pickup at spots throughout the communities that don’t necessarily correspond with existing stops. It also offers other destinations on the north side, including Ranchlands and the Box Springs Business Park, where buses currently don’t run.
Administrators hope to collect data to refine routes and potentially expand the pilot to other “underutilized areas” at certain times.
The service announced last week that, starting next Monday, it will ask riders in Northeast and Northwest Crescent Heights routes to book weekday evening rides through a smartphone app or by traditional telephone.
The project garnered strong support when it was discussed at Monday’s council meeting as officials began an information campaign this week.
Staff members are riding the routes to discuss it and answer rider questions. As well, transit officials will be on hand at Northlands Co-op on Thursday and the FLC Friday (3-6 p.m. each day) to explain the program.
Public services commissioner Brian Mastel told council that public transit has been facing challenges, such as ride hailing apps, for several years.
The pandemic adds another hurdle considering fewer people are travelling to work, for entertainment, or for school, which cuts revenue and cost recovery efforts.
“We expect that we’ll never return to the pre-pandemic (ridership) levels on the college route,” he told council.
But, he said, riders who use the service, need the service,
“But we have underutilized capacity,” said Mastel.
He stressed that new computer technology can quickly schedule rides, map out the most direct routes to cut costs. He hopes the convenience will attract more riders.
The pilot is the first major step by administrators to adjust transit levels since 2017 when council ordered route and scheduling changes be reversed.
