Christine Whelan FEO, June 9, 2022, VOL. 3 ISSUE 21
Fort Erie’s Town Council approved a report from staff proposing updates to On-Demand Transit operations to continue providing riders with a high-performance experience. The expansion includes purchasing three additional On-Demand vehicles and up to $425,000 in extra operational funding to be used as needed.
On-Demand Transit is a shared-ride service that responds to ride requests rather than a fixed route. Travel is optimized by computer software and is based upon rider trip requests. On-Demand Transit operates within the entire Town allowing riders to travel from point to point without transfers.
Regional Limousine has been working in partnership with the Town of Fort Erie since October 4, 2021, to provide the service that transports approximately 14% of the town’s population, compared to traditional transit, which carried about 11%.
A single, convenient ride costs just $3.00, with pre-loaded cards available for 10-rides and 30-day passes. Riders can also download the “On Demand Transit” app (transit code = fetransit) to easily book their ride and track the status of their on-demand transit vehicle in real-time.
Ashley Greaves, Operations Manager of Transit On-Demand spoke with me on behalf of herself, Nick and Julie Brady, and the Regional Limousine crew. “We’re really excited about the expansion of the service.
She explained one area of need, “We had grown so quickly, we were seeing wait times getting pushed back, causing riders to be late for appointments, late for work. So, this is going to help a lot with that. It’ll relieve some stress off the system.”
Some quick adjustments had to be made because of the fast growth. “The Town did initially have a marketing plan. They did a really good job putting it together. But we only got through the first couple of steps in the plan because we were increasing organically and so quickly that we were afraid if we put too much marketing out, this might get too big and we wouldn’t be able to provide a level of service that we feel the riders look for.
Points of Interest
She went on to describe some beneficial changes. “We’ve increased the number of stops in Fort Erie. We now have points of interest that we use instead of just the traditional, fixed route bus stops. It’s a lot more accessible for people that are out in Stevensville, Black Creek and those more rural areas.
“In the more populated parts of the town, we only use points of interest and those traditional transit stops. In the rural areas of Fort Erie, we can actually pick up at addresses.”
Previously, there were the four routes that went around in circles, just picking up at the preset spots. “With being able to create electronic stops or points of interest, we’ve been able to add all of the local businesses in town, all of the doctor’s offices so that people can get dropped off or picked up right at the doctor’s office, for example, without having to walk a couple of blocks over. So, that helps a lot.”
Ten hours of service have been added in two five-hour shifts. “And we’ve hired two more drivers who are Fort Erie residents. That was something we were also excited about, being able to provide jobs for two more people in town.”
“Now that we have been approved for this expansion and as we are looking forward to adding more cars to the fleet, I know that the Town is going to go forward with the marketing plan.”
Ashley stated that the average pick up time right now is between 15-17 minutes. “People might see longer waits during the peak times which are early in the morning and mid-day.”
Communication about how this system works is so important, according to the Operations Manager. “So, going out to community events and having discussions with people who are riding, letting them know how it works and what they can expect, that’s something we are really trying to push.”
Greaves encourages riders to use the app. “Of course, there are always going to be people who don’t want to use the app or can’t use an app, which we understand, but using the app is really the best way for people to book because they can see in real time when the car is assigned to them and where it is on the map.”
Eyes On Fort Erie
“We do have a lot of eyes on the system right now because we are the first town to be doing it on this scale. A lot of towns have implemented a kind of a hybrid model but we’re one of the first to go to a fully On-Demand service. That’s why the expansion was so important to us at Regional Limousine because we know that eyes are on us and we want to make sure we are giving 110% of everything that we can.
Ashley admits they’ve had their growing pains. “But we’re coming to a good stride now and more confident and happy with what we’ve been able to accomplish in the last couple of months. And we’re really happy we have the support of the Town.”
As Mayor Redekop stated in the Town of Fort Erie announcement of the expansion, “The growth of Fort Erie’s On-Demand Transit service is remarkable. The service has been able to fulfill the needs of town residents while also making the Transit system more accessible to new riders. I am confident that we will successfully meet the demands of expanded use as this unique service flourishes.”
On-Demand Transit Card Purchase Locations: Fort Erie Town Hall, Fort Erie Public Library, Crystal Ridge Public Library, Stevensville Public Library.
For more information about the Fort Erie On-Demand Transit system, please visit fetransit.ca
Photos provided by Ashley Greaves
