On-demand transit starts in 6 Calgary communities on Tuesday

Calgary Transit is rolling out on-demand transit in six communities this week.

Starting Tuesday, on-demand service will be available in Aspen Woods, Christie Park, Strathcona Park, Signal Hill, Springbank Hill and Discovery Ridge.

The area was previously served by four community shuttles — routes 94, 164, 439 and 454 — all of which have been removed and replaced by the new on-demand service.

Calgary Transit spokesperson Amanda Bradley said the change was made in response to low ridership on the affected routes.

“Instead of having empty busses running through the neighbourhood all day, … this gives us the flexibility to just send a bus out when people request it, when they need it.”

Bradley said ridership in the affected communities was “quite low” even before COVID-19 hit.

“(City) council asked us if we could introduce this service as a way to save some money in some lower ridership areas and this was one of the lowest in the city.”

Calgary Transit says the new on-demand services will be tested out in the six selected communities for a year, at which point it will assess if the services should continue.

Those interested in using on-demand transit can use Calgary Transit’s On Demand app or book their trip over the phone by calling 403-262-1000.

“If they know in advance, they can plan all of their trips for the week,” Bradley said. “For example, today they can plan their commute for the whole week. They just book each trip and then the app will tell them what time to wait for the bus and where to go.

“When they leave their house they can actually follow the app – it will show them where they are on the map – it will also show them where the shuttle is on its way to them.

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“If they book (a ride) more last minute it’s very similar. They just say ‘I need a ride now’ and the app will tell them what time we have a bus available, where to go and when the bus will pick them up.”

Two other Calgary areas currently have on-demand transit; Carrington and Livingston have been using the service for a little over a year.

“It’s been doing great. We’ve had some really great feedback,” Bradley said. “Service levels are excellent.”

For more information on how to download the On Demand app and how to use the service, visit CalgaryTransit.com.

With files from Sarah Offin