High demand for DRT’s On Demand service

Durham Region Transit’s new On Demand service has already helped 5,844 Durham residents to reach their destinations.
Nearly 6,000 trips have been booked in the first month of the Durham Region Transit’s (DRT) new service plan.
The plan, which includes a new On Demand service model, aims to meet existing and projected customer demand, from early morning to late night, seven days a week.
As part of DRT’s Ridership Recovery Framework, with a goal of encouraging and increasing transit ridership, the first month of On Demand ridership numbers are in, and include 5,844 trips delivered. The statistics also showed that 65 per cent of trips were booked through the DRT On Demand app and that 90 per cent of the 30 per cent of users who provided feedback through the app rated their experience as positive.
According to DRT’s Acting General Manager Christopher Norris, it’s much cheaper for the organization to use the On Demand service.
“The On Demand service provides transit to customers in areas where demand is low: early starts and end to service and an ability to request a ride as close to 15 minutes in advance, while being fiscally prudent; the costs to operate On Demand are approximately one third of those of scheduled bus service,” he says.
With the new service model, DRT aims to ensure residents have access to public transit no matter where they live, work, or are travelling to within the region.
“It’s encouraging to see people using this new and innovative service, and especially that residents of and visitors to Durham Region are providing positive feedback,” says Regional Chair John Henry. “Our priority is unwavering – to provide safe, accessible and reliable transit options across the region.”
Chair of the region’s Transit Executive Committee Shaun Collier praises the new On Demand service.
“The results of the first month of the new On Demand service model highlights Durham Region Transit’s continued support of the community by providing access to efficient and flexible service, seven days a week,” says Collier. “This innovation and commitment to customer service excellence helps drive the future of transit in Durham Region.”
DRT looks to the On Demand service’s benefits in low-ridership areas.
“The enhanced transit network, including the On Demand service in low-ridership areas, positions us well to continue serving our customers with flexible and sustainable public transit options, even as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re thrilled with the feedback and results so far,” says DRT.
To learn more about the new On Demand service, visit https://www.durhamregiontransit.com/en/travelling-with-us/planning-your-travel.aspx?_mid_=28149.