Digital signs are planned for bus stops in the city, eventually, giving potential passengers real-time information about when their bus will arrive, along with other details deemed to be helpful in their travel.
This, a city official explains, is being done as part of a concerted effort to get more people out of their personal vehicles and onto transit, contributing to community emission reduction targets and increasing ridership.
The project is at development stage, with the start of implementation anticipated next year, said Diana Jaber, who is leading the Guelph Transit initiative. At the moment, the public is being asked to comment on what details those digital signs should include, in addition to real-time arrivals.
The exact bus stops and the number of bus stops has yet to be determined.
“We’re still in the analysis phase,” Jaber said, noting the city hopes to firm up consultants for the project later this year, with implementation at prioritized locations to begin in 2023. “I doubt we’ll be able to implement it in many locations in phase one.”
An online survey is open until June 12 to gather public input to be considered by consultants.
Last fall city council approved $670,000 for the project in 2022, with another $1 million in 2023.
It’s not known what funding, if any, will be approved after that.
Funding is the key factor in determining how many digital signs are installed and at what pace, Jaber said, noting they are especially important in locations where people have less access to technology and devices that can be used to look online for real-time arrivals.
Ridership data and “other factors” will also be considered when stops are prioritized, she added.
