A small city in Canada is starting a pilot project that lets riders request bus service through an app.
A pilot project launching on September 17 in Belleville, Ontario, will allow riders to use an app to hail buses. The city is partnering with Pantonium, the app developer, to provide bus service where riders specify pickup and drop-off points. Buses will no longer travel along fixed routes. Instead, the software will adjust buses routes based on rider requests.
James McLeod writes that the Belleville experiment reflects the new role of technology in rethinking how transportation systems are designed and operated:
The unifying trend in transportation innovation is moving away from one-size-fits-all solutions — for example, everybody owning their own car — and shifting toward using technology so that each trip uses the most efficient vehicle to minimize congestion and emissions.
Belleville Transit serves a relatively small population of about 50,000. However, city officials believe this type of flexible service is ideal for transit agencies in smaller communities as a way to provide more efficient services with existing resources.
FULL STORY: Belleville transit pilot project ditches fixed routes for bus-hailing system
When Rideshare Serves as Transit, Success Brings Risks
Innisfil, Ontario, decided to use Uber instead of starting bus service. The program took off but so have the costs, and now cutbacks need to be made.
Editorial: Toronto’s Snow Clearing Plan Isn’t Fair
The city’s plan for dealing with snow and ice on sidewalks this winter doesn't address past problems and won't meet the needs of residents, say critics.
Toronto Sets More Ambitious Climate Change Goals
The city is considering a proposal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions even more by aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service