BC Transit has launched NextRide, its Automatic Vehicle Location technology, in the Terrace Transit System. Following several weeks of testing and training, the new technology is now available to BC Transit customers in region.
NextRide allows customers to see real-time bus locations along routes and identify what predicted arrival times are at any selected stop. Onboard, automated stop announcements call out stops to customers riding the bus, which increases comfort and convenience, while also improving the overall accessibility for many using transit.
Through BC Transit, bus location data is provided to mobility providers like Transit App, so customers in Terrace can track and monitor bus routes using their application of choice. Please note that customers using Google Maps to plan their trips will experience a short delay in the real time data showing up as it takes several weeks for Google to start sharing this information.
Two installation teams are working closely together in neighbouring or nearby communities as they move through the province to install the new technology on buses. In all, NextRide will be installed on approximately 315 buses operating on all conventional, fixed routes in British Columbia.
NextRide falls under BC Transit’s Smart Bus program, which introduces new technologies on buses that improve the customer experience, while also helping grow ridership by making transit more accessible, safer and enjoyable. For a more detailed installation schedule, please see the accompanying backgrounder and find out more on the NextRide project page.
BC Transit recognizes that customers using the Kitimat transit system are experiencing the current service challenges due to a temporary labour shortage. Customers will continue to see a short-term reduced service schedule. The NextRide technology offers greater predictability to transit users during unforeseen events, such as delays, detours or other service challenges that impact transit operations.
In addition, due to the timing of the training and testing of the NextRide system in the region, the route changes that were scheduled to take place on June 27 in Terrace were delayed, but are now in place.
These changes help provide clarity for customers planning trips between neighbouring regional transit systems, as there were duplicate route numbers. While this has not been an issue to this point, with the introduction of the NextRide throughout the province, the renumbering of some routes was necessary to help minimize confusion for customers making connections with nearby transit systems.
The new route numbers now have a four (4) ahead of the previous route numbers, they are:
Previous:
Current:
1 College/Halliwell
41 College/Halliwell
2 City Shuttle
42 City Shuttle
3 Southside
43 Southside
5 Thornhill
45 Thornhill
6 College Express
46 College Express
New Route:
44 Northside
BC Transit appreciates the understanding of customers during this time and apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.
