By Charlene Tebbutt

City Transit

City to test new online transit information system

May 7, 2019 | 2:23 PM

The city is testing out a new automated transit information system in the hopes of providing better information to riders, including accurate and up-to-date details about when their bus will arrive.

Local councillors have asked city administration to negotiate a one-year contract to test the Automated Vehicle Location [AVL] System. The city budgeted $28,800 this year for the pilot.

Keri Sapsford, transportation manager with the city, said the cloud-based, GPS system is already being used in Regina and Saskatoon and will allow riders to get reminders and real-time information about when their bus will arrive. She said the new system will be especially helpful during the winter as riders won’t have to wait outside too long.

“It’s a vast improvement for riders,” Sapsford said. “The transit system has always been seen as something that’s slightly inconvenient. This makes it that much more convenient to use.”

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The system will also have administrative benefits, and will provide information to the city on scheduling, the speed of buses, the number of kilometres driven and passenger counts.

In a report to council, city administration recommended signing on with with CRL Engineering out of Regina for five years at a cost of nearly $150,000. While local councillors agreed with using the system, some questioned whether a five-year deal was the best option.

Ward 8 Coun. Ted Zurakowski said a one-year trial would allow the city to see how the system works in all seasons.

“This is a long-term commitment and a high-dollar commitment,” Zurakowski said. “It’s not my pocket we’re dipping in to.”

Several other councillors also agreed with the one-year trial option. Ward 5 Coun. Dennis Ogrodnick said the city also needs to expand transit services to other areas of Prince Albert, while Ward 2 Coun. Terra Lennox-Zepp said better data would help determine where more service is needed.

“City administration expects that with better service like that, online service, they would expect increased ridership of our transit,” Lennox-Zepp added.

Sapsford said the city is hoping to have the test program in place by the fall. The city will look at extending the contract another four years if the trial period proves successful, she said.

“We’re really excited to be able to bring it in,” Sapsford added. “It’s something that council and our riders and the general public have been asking for.”

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Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt