OnDemand

Hi, I’m here to teach you about OnDemand transit.

OnDemand is a little different from the BC Transit services you may already be familiar with. While it works differently from fixed-route and handyDART services, riders of both services can use OnDemand.

Unlike traditional fixed-route transit, OnDemand does not follow the same path or operate on a pre-set schedule.

It’s also different from handyDART, which requires registration and provides accessible door-to-door service.

With OnDemand, customers can request rides at times that are convenient to them.

Think of OnDemand as a public transit rideshare that any rider can use.

OnDemand connects riders within select areas, called “service zones,” to destinations and growing communities where fixed-route service may not be available, or may not fully meet local travel needs.

Simply put, OnDemand is designed to provide more coverage, connection, and more opportunities to travel.

OnDemand is nota door-to-door service. Instead, riders are picked up and dropped off at designated locations within the service area, called virtual bus stops.

These pickup and drop-off locations are selected based on factors such as local geography, accessibility, and safety.

Riders who require a true door-to-door service are encouraged to use handyDART.

Virtual bus stops are designated pickup and drop-off locations within the OnDemand service area.

Some virtual bus stops may be marked with a BC Transit shelter or bus stop sign, while others may be unmarked and identified only as a nearby point of interest, intersection, or address.

When booking a trip, riders will receive directions to their virtual bus stop through the OnDemand app or in their booking confirmation.

You can book OnDemand trips through the BC Transit OnDemand app or by phone.

When booking a trip, you’ll be asked to enter your pickup location, destination, and preferred travel time. The app or customer service representative, making the booking on your behalf, will then let you know which virtual bus stop the bus will pick you up at, along with your estimated pickup time.

During booking, you can also indicate if you’ll be travelling alone or with a group, and if you use an accessibility aid, such as a wheelchair, walker, or scooter. All buses used for BC Transit OnDemand service are accessible and can accommodate mobility aids.

If you book through the BC Transit OnDemand app, you’ll receive booking confirmations, trip reminders, and updates directly in the app.

Because OnDemand trips are shared with other riders, your travel time or route may change slightly as additional passengers are picked up or dropped by the shared bus. To stay informed about updates, it’s recommended that you use the app and enable notifications if you have a mobile device.

If your plans change and you no longer need your trip, or you need to update your booking, please make changes or cancel your trip as soon as possible. Once at the stop, the driver will wait up to three minutes past your pick up time before departing to stay on schedule for other riders.

Trip changes and cancellations can be made directly in the app or by calling the OnDemand customer service number.

One last thing to know before your first OnDemand trip is how you’ll pay your fare.

OnDemand services use the same fares prices and products as your local fixed route service. That means you can pay with the same payment methods and passes accepted on your local transit service.

To confirm your fare visit bctransit.com/fares.

OnDemand is here to provide more coverage, connection, and opportunities to travel with BC Transit.

We hope this video helped explain the unique and convenient OnDemand service model and we look forward to seeing you aboard OnDemand soon.