On Monday, August 24 Durham Region Transit (DRT) will introduce a new and easier way to access On Demand service, which it says will increase the frequency and availability of service and give customers maximum flexibility in how they travel throughout the region.
On Demand is a personal, flexible service delivery model that provides customers public transit options based on their trip needs: whether it’s travelling stop-to-stop within a zone, facilitating connections to frequent and grid routes, or to the local GO station or bus terminal.
When using scheduled service, customers can expect to not wait longer for a bus than 15 minutes for weekday service on the frequent network; and wait no longer than 30 minutes, seven days a week, on the grid network; and a new, easier way to access On Demand for your travel needs, said a DRT statement.
The On Demand service is replacing local routes that continue to experience low ridership, offering service to customers in these areas when they need it; service is also extending throughout Clarington, delivering safe and reliable transit access across the region, the statement said.
To support the On Demand service enhancements, DRT is also launching a new, interactive, mobile app solution that will allow customers to plan and book their trips right from their mobile device. Two apps are required to use On Demand: Transit app (called “Transit” in the App Store and Google Play) and DRT On Demand. Alternatively, customers can call in to speak with a booking agent to book their trip.
The Transit app is where customers will plan their trip, access real-time bus status updates, and receive notifications (think of this as your travel dashboard), and will connect directly to the DRT On Demand app; customers will be prompted to download DRT On Demand within the Transit app.
The DRT On Demand app provides the information about on-demand rides available in the customer’s area (think of it as your booking agent).
Ahead of August 24, customers can begin downloading both the Transit and DRT On Demand apps from either the App Store or Google Play Store.
Beginning on August 24, customers can:
- Use the Transit app to enter their trip start and end locations and the time they want to travel.
- Transit app will provide several options for customers to complete their transit trip. If the option chosen includes On Demand service, you’ll be prompted to download and taken to the DRT On Demand app to book your trip.
- Customers also have the option to telephone an On Demand booking agent instead of using the app.
Quick Facts
- These service enhancements are part of ongoing initiatives to enhance transit services and provide more frequent, flexible and available services to residents of and visitors to Durham Region.
- Two apps are needed for the mobile solution with the new On Demand service: Transit app helps customers plan their trip, access real-time bus status updates, and receive service notifications; the DRT On Demand app provides information about rides available in the customer’s area. These two apps are integrated to optimize and simplify the customer experience.
- The new service network aligns with current and projected ridership trends and patterns.
For more details about the new On Demand service, zones on our system map, as well as how to download and use the new mobile app solution, visit durhamregiontransit.com.
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