On-demand bus service is coming to Guelph this spring and the city wants the public's input on pick-up and drop-off locations.
“On-demand differs from conventional transit in that there is no fixed route or schedule, and buses are dispatched on a request-basis. This means more flexibility for our customers as they can book a ride when it’s most convenient for them,” says Robin Gerus, general manager of Guelph Transit, in a news release.
On-demand service will start May. 2.
Service can be requested from anywhere in the city and will replace the Community Bus (north and south loops) and route 16 Southgate. The service will also extend into the Hanlon Creek Business Park, located west of the Hanlon Expressway in the city’s south end.
“On-demand is not a door-to-door service like our mobility service, but it does run on a customer’s schedule,” explains Jason Simmons, manager of Transit Operations at Guelph Transit. “Customers will be able to schedule a ride using the free app, by phone or from our website, and the bus will pick up and drop off at pre-set locations throughout the city.”
The only on-demand stops already in place are those in the two business parks. Customers travelling to these areas will catch the on-demand bus at the existing bus stop at Clair Road and Gordon Street. Return trips will also stop at this location, which is serviced daily by the route 99 Mainline every 15 minutes.
Service to the two business parks is the same as conventional service hours and on-demand service to other areas in the city is Monday to Saturday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. There is no additional cost to take an on-demand trip; just use regular transit fare for the ride.
“We want to hear from our customers and all residents about where on-demand pickup and drop-off locations should be placed,” adds Simmons. “This public input, along with our transit planning and scheduling staff expertise, best practices and the locations of existing bus stops, will help us make the best decisions on where to locate the on-demand stops.”
Use the mapping tool at haveyousay.guelph.ca, the public can put pins on the map to show where a virtual or physical bus stop should go. Deadline to provide input is Feb. 24.
People who can’t participate online can email [email protected] or call 519-822-1811/TTY 519-826-9771.
