City transit administrators are reporting an intention to explore expanding evening on-demand bus service this year in an effort to save money and boost ridership.--News Photo Collin Gallant
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
Medicine Hat Transit is declaring its pilot project to offer “On Demand” service on some evening routes a success, and say it will likely be expanded this year.
Monday’s meeting of the public services committee heard that other “low volume” evening routes in the city, as well as the special transit system are being considered, but the idea of dispatching buses only when requested isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.
“The implementation was very successful,” said transit manager Mike Spicer. “Once people experienced it, they picked it up pretty quickly and made good use of it.”
The department offered the service on four routes for portions of the fall. Riders booked pickup and drop-off points through a smartphone app or via telephone operator.
That cut kilometres travelled by 60 compared to circling the route on a set schedule, saving fuel and maintenance on buses that would add up to $100,000 over the course of a year.
Officials also say it reduced trip times for passengers, and provides data about when and where riders are travelling.
They are now studying whether the same program should be applied to routes outside the north-end and central areas, where it is in place at night when passenger numbers drop.
Some routes in the south may be candidates, he said, as well as potentially city-wide on Sundays, and the entire special transit system, which provides booked rides for those with mobility issues.
Spicer says the program is designed to work best on low-volume routes in off-peak hours, and is a better option than reducing set routes or making buses less frequent to adjust budgets.
“Where fixed routes work, we’ll keep them in place,” he said.
Council members on the committee say they were pleased with the program as it seems to provide faster, more direct routes for customers as well as cost savings.
“It’s especially exciting to see the gradual approach and that we’re studying where to expand it,” said Coun. Julie Friesen.
Coun. Jim Turner agreed, and Coun. Kris Samraj said the program needs to be watched closely considering transit has seen a steep general decline in ridership during the pandemic and that will eventually change patterns.
The city currently licenses an app program paid for via a federal government grant. That expires at the end of 2021 and will need to be retendered.
Spicer says one third of trips on the four routes in the pilot were booked via the app, one third via telephone system answered by staff at the city’s 911 communications centre, and one third directly with drivers on board the bus.
Spicer also says the system could allow special transit users to be more spontaneous compared to the more rigid booking system currently in place.
Officials also believe it could be beneficial for special transit users who book rides for medical appointments that have set start times but can last beyond appointed pickup times.
