North Bay Transit to launch new dynamic, on-demand bus service

January 18, 2021 (North Bay, Ont.) – The City of North Bay, Ontario will be introducing a new, efficient, and convenient public transit booking and tracking system beginning January 24 with the launch of dynamic dispatching.

This new transit service will operate throughout most of the City on Monday through Friday evenings between 6 pm and 10 pm, Saturday between 6 pm. and 9 pm, and Sunday between 8 am and 7 pm. Instead of traditional fixed-route service, riders will be able to download the myRide NBT app to book dynamically routed shared rides in real time.

North Bay Transit is partnering with Via, the leader in TransitTech, to launch the new service as part of a one-year pilot project, which will be one of the largest of its kind using full-sized buses in Canada.

Using the mobile app, or by calling a dedicated phone line for riders without access to a smartphone, passengers can select a pickup and dropoff location and confirm their ride. Once a ride is booked, Via's dynamic algorithms match multiple passengers headed in the same direction into a single bus through the use of "virtual bus stops", conveniently located within walking distance of passenger locations. The myRide NBT app, which is now available for download at the Apple or Google Play store, will provide time of arrival information and allow for real-time bus tracking.

Dynamic, on-demand transit will be used during low transit demand times and in areas where fixed routes are most inefficient and expensive with the aim of reducing wait times, providing more direct trips and improving efficiency. As such, the service will be available throughout the City with the exception of the south end, which will continue to be serviced by two fixed routes.

"We’re pleased to be introducing a new public transit option to our residents and we’re hopeful that this pilot project will lead to improved service and efficiency,” said Coun. Chris Mayne, Chairman of Council’s Infrastructure and Operations Committee. “It is timely that we’re exploring alternatives to conventional bus service during the pandemic at a time when demand has been drastically reduced. Dynamic dispatching could provide us with more flexibility to better adapt to the current situation.”

How to Book a Trip:

By smartphone:

1. Download the free myRide NBT app from the Apple or Google Play store.
2. Provide rider information
3. Select your payment option: monthly pass, cash, or transfer.
4. The app lets you know when to expect your ride and where to wait.
5. Watch your bus arrive in real time via the app.
6. Use the app to lead you to the convenient bus stop for pick-up.

Other Booking Options:

Call at transit dispatch at 705-474-0419

Fare & Payment Options:

Fares for dynamic dispatching are the same as regular North Bay Transit fares and are paid upon boarding.

Hours of Service:

Dynamic Dispatching operates evenings Monday through Friday between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., Saturday between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. and all day on Sundays. Rides cannot be booked outside of these service hours.

For more information on visit: https://www.northbay.ca/services-payments/north-bay-transit/dynamic-dispatching/