in the Victoria Regional Transit System
VICTORIA – Transit riders in Greater Victoria are now able to plan their trips more efficiently and see where their bus is along its route, all from their smart phone or desktop. NextRide, BC Transit’s real-time bus location technology, is now live on all 294 buses in the Victoria Regional Transit System.
This morning, members of the public and local dignitaries gathered at the UVIC transit exchange to join Esquimalt-Metchosin MLA Mitzi Dean, the Victoria Regional Transit Commission and BC Transit staff to celebrate. Guests were shown NextRide’s Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) technology, which provides customers with real-time data on the location of their bus and its predicted arrival time at a stop. NextRide operates off a responsive website, enabling passengers to plan their trips from an internet-connected mobile device or desktop.
In addition to NextRide, all buses now include on-board enhancements, allowing customers to see and hear upcoming stop information upon approach, making BC Transit accessible to all users. NextRide data will allow BC Transit and its partners to better direct buses for schedule reliability and to more easily push alerts out to customers in the case of detours, accidents or other events that may delay regular routing.
NextRide technology was first launched in the Regional District of Nanaimo in May 2018, followed by the Comox Valley Regional District, Whistler, Squamish, Kamloops and Kelowna later last year.
Strategic Mapping, Inc. has been contracted to install and monitor the technology. Funding for this project is coming from the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF), which was announced in June 2016 by the federal and provincial governments.
For more information, visit bctransit.com/nextride.
QUOTES:
“We are excited to see these vital improvements to transit service in Victoria coming on-line. Investing in public transit is essential to creating vibrant and accessible communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. This new technology will allow for residents to spend less time commuting and more quality time with their loved ones.”
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
“This real-time tracking technology should help people in Victoria who already ride the bus, and will hopefully encourage more people to start taking transit. We are committed to making BC Transit service more convenient and accessible, and I hope passengers in the region will be happy with this service upgrade.”
Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
“NextRide is an exciting addition to our transit service, and a step forward in responding to our customers’ needs. This new technology, and the added accessibility features, are making transit an even more convenient transportation option.”
Susan Brice, Chair, Victoria Regional Transit Commission
“Our customers are relying on technology in their daily lives and now we’re bringing that technology right on to our buses to enhance their experience. Thank you to our government partners, whose strong support makes significant endeavours like NextRide possible.”
Erinn Pinkerton, BC Transit’s President and CEO
Media contact:
BC Transit Communications
Media@bctransit.com
