Case Studies Increasing public transit efficiency in times of lower demand.

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	Increasing public transit efficiency in times of lower demand.

Increasing public transit efficiency in times of lower demand.

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics Functional Applications - Fleet Management Systems (FMS) Networks & Connectivity - Cellular
Applicable Industries	Cities & Municipalities Transportation
Applicable Functions	Business Operation Logistics & Transportation
Use Cases	Fleet Management Public Transportation Management Real-Time Location System (RTLS)
Services	Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration
Challenge	During evenings and weekends, North Bay Transit was experiencing a drop in the demand for their fixed route transit services. This meant the six buses that were running were often carrying few riders and not meeting their travel needs effectively. The City decided an on-demand solution could help optimize their fixed routes during times of low demand to provide a better service for customers and achieve operational efficiencies. Read More
About Customer	North Bay Transit is a public transportation agency serving the city of North Bay in Ontario, Canada. Like many small transit agencies, it faces challenges in maintaining efficient and effective service during periods of low demand, such as evenings and weekends. The agency operates a combination of fixed route and on-demand transit services to meet the diverse needs of its residents. North Bay Transit is committed to improving public transit efficiency and customer satisfaction by leveraging innovative solutions and technologies. The agency's goal is to provide reliable, flexible, and cost-effective transportation options for the community, ensuring that residents can move around the city with ease, even during off-peak hours. Read More
Solution	In January 2021, North Bay Transit partnered with Via to launch myRideNB — an innovative transit model that combines an on-demand solution with fixed route transit on evenings and weekends. The City is divided into an on-demand zone where three buses operate dynamically and a fixed route zone where two buses operate on a schedule. After a rider requests a trip using the myRideNB app or by phone, Via’s algorithm directs them to an on-demand vehicle or a fixed route bus — depending on which is the better option at the time of booking. For riders needing to connect between the on-demand and fixed route services, Via’s technology calculates a multimodal trip proposal with guidance on when and how to transfer between the two modes. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics

Functional Applications - Fleet Management Systems (FMS)

Networks & Connectivity - Cellular

Applicable Industries

Cities & Municipalities

Transportation

Applicable Functions

Business Operation

Logistics & Transportation

Use Cases

Fleet Management

Public Transportation Management

Real-Time Location System (RTLS)

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Challenge

During evenings and weekends, North Bay Transit was experiencing a drop in the demand for their fixed route transit services. This meant the six buses that were running were often carrying few riders and not meeting their travel needs effectively. The City decided an on-demand solution could help optimize their fixed routes during times of low demand to provide a better service for customers and achieve operational efficiencies.

About Customer

North Bay Transit is a public transportation agency serving the city of North Bay in Ontario, Canada. Like many small transit agencies, it faces challenges in maintaining efficient and effective service during periods of low demand, such as evenings and weekends. The agency operates a combination of fixed route and on-demand transit services to meet the diverse needs of its residents. North Bay Transit is committed to improving public transit efficiency and customer satisfaction by leveraging innovative solutions and technologies. The agency's goal is to provide reliable, flexible, and cost-effective transportation options for the community, ensuring that residents can move around the city with ease, even during off-peak hours.

Solution

In January 2021, North Bay Transit partnered with Via to launch myRideNB — an innovative transit model that combines an on-demand solution with fixed route transit on evenings and weekends. The City is divided into an on-demand zone where three buses operate dynamically and a fixed route zone where two buses operate on a schedule. After a rider requests a trip using the myRideNB app or by phone, Via’s algorithm directs them to an on-demand vehicle or a fixed route bus — depending on which is the better option at the time of booking. For riders needing to connect between the on-demand and fixed route services, Via’s technology calculates a multimodal trip proposal with guidance on when and how to transfer between the two modes.

Impact #1	In the first three months of service, myRideNB completed more than 6,500 rides.
Impact #2	The popularity is clear: with an average of 230 rides on Sundays and 75 daily rides on weekdays.
Impact #3	The addition of an on-demand option has allowed residents to move around with more flexibility, waiting for an average of 16 minutes for a ride, compared to the hourly service of the previous fixed route service.

Impact #1

In the first three months of service, myRideNB completed more than 6,500 rides.

Impact #2

The popularity is clear: with an average of 230 rides on Sundays and 75 daily rides on weekdays.

Impact #3

The addition of an on-demand option has allowed residents to move around with more flexibility, waiting for an average of 16 minutes for a ride, compared to the hourly service of the previous fixed route service.

Benefit #1	18% reduction in total miles driven.
Benefit #2	17% decrease in vehicles needed.

Benefit #1

18% reduction in total miles driven.

Benefit #2

17% decrease in vehicles needed.

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Overview

Increasing public transit efficiency in times of lower demand.

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit