Pembroke, Ont. to incorporate on-demand public transit system

The City of Pembroke has approved a three-year program that would see two "on demand" transit buses hit the streets this summer. CTV's Dylan Dyson has more.

The City of Pembroke is ready to roll ahead with a new on-demand public transit system.

On Tuesday, city council approved a three-year pilot project that will see two accessible on-demand vehicles roaming Pembroke’s streets.

The service is expected to launch sometime this summer between July 7 and Aug. 5. The project also comes with the option for the city to extend for an additional four years.

“It’ll start in July or August, with two busses and a backup bus,” said Pembroke Mayor Ron Gervais.

“All three of them being Dodge ProMasters that are wheelchair accessible.”

Unlike a traditional bus line with set routes and stops, the service will work similar to ride sharing services like Uber, with riders being able to call for a ride via an app or by phone.

“You tell it where you are and where you’re going and it comes to pick you up close to your house or at a virtual corner,” said Brian Abdallah, Pembroke’s deputy mayor and transit project lead.

Drivers will determine the best routes to desired locations and can pick up additional passengers along the way.

Pembroke previously has a traditional public transit system consisting but was discontinued because of low ridership. Years later, the reality of a modern public transit system coming back is one that is appealing to residents.

“I always go to far places in town - a lot of long walks,” said resident William Reid. “The only thing that gets me through it is music, but if I could get a public transit system, that would be amazing.”

Abdallah says the city has grown and has come to accommodate a wide variety of residents with different needs.

“We have more retirees in the city, we have more senior retirement residents, we have a college on the river with close to a thousand students,” he said.

Previously, those living in Pembroke without a car were forced to either walk, bike or call a taxi.

“[Transit] would be great because I do use the taxis here but, I’m going to be honest, they kind of take forever to get you where you want to be,” Reid said.

The city says the cost to ride the bus has not yet been determined.

“It remains to be seen,” Gervais said. “I know some people have floated the $3.50 idea. I know the Pembroke Handi-Bus charges $7, so it’ll be interesting to see what the dollar amount is that’s finally settled on.”

The city is anticipating ridership to reach levels of 1,200 to 1,700 people per month in the first year of service. To fund the service, a tax levy of 2.03 per cent is expected over the initial three years.

The city says it will provide transit within city limits but will extend to stops at the Walmart located in Laurentian Valley.

Initially, the service will operate six days a week, excluding statutory holidays:

• Monday: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Tuesday: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Wednesday: 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Thursday: 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
• Friday: 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
• Saturday: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Sunday: No service