New technology for Transit Windsor

by Taylor Desjardins

Transit Windsor passengers said they would appreciate new technology to improve their transportation experience.

If senior Transit Windsor managers get the funding they need from the municipality, they will be implementing two different types of technology into the bus system. The technology will improve customer amenities with automated vehicle location which allows for real time information regarding bus stops on route.

Computer-aided dispatch will also be available to retrieve real time information of bus location on cell phones.

“I think it would be an advantage to the borderline transit users who maybe don’t want to wait a couple of extra minutes or half an hour for a bus,” said Angela Marson, a regular user of public transit.

Although the managers and the public want this new advancement, it is the city’s job to fund this project.

“It is our plan to have this technology on all buses, however, there are times when pilot projects are an option,” said Pat Delmore, director of operations for Transit Windsor.

“We hope to have Google transit in the near future, where you can use your cell phone for scheduled info or to map out a travel plan using Google. This is currently being used in many cities and we hope to have it in Windsor soon.”

Transit Windsor added 11 new hybrid buses at the start of 2012 and the Affordable Pass Program was introduced in partnership with Pathway to Potential to aid residents. Students, low income adults and dependents 18 years old and under can purchase a bus pass at a discounted price.

New technology is already being used in Transit Windsor internally for planning purposes and because it is a required technology for the future.

“We have been using some new technology with regards to mapping of schedules and bus stops,” said Delmore. “We also have all of our stops geocoded.”

Joseph Gaspard, a student at the University of Windsor relies on city buses daily. He says it will be an advancement because the technology will shorter wait times because riders will know where the bus is at any time.

“They don’t come on time most of the time,” said Gaspard. “We are wasting our time just standing here for 30 to 40 minutes, waiting for the next bus. Finally when they come, we can do something else.”

It is not yet determined when this technology will be implemented but until then Transit Windsor will be focusing on software development and testing smart media products.