Taking public transit is expected to get easier for some riders next spring when 45 new Smart Buses are set to hit city streets.
The city announced Thursday that 45 Smart Buses are scheduled to go into service in April 2013 on routes 111 from downtown to the University and 128 from the University to Castledowns.
“Customers on these routes will have the ability to access real time bus information anytime, anywhere via the web or mobile devices,” a city release stated.
“Smart Bus technology brings ETS customers increased predictability, reliability, accessibility and safety.”
The Edmonton Transit System will have better tools to know exact locations of buses so transit users will be able to check their mobile devices or the web for real-time bus locations. There will be improved on-board stop announcements to help persons with disabilities and seniors.
Smart Buses will also include vehicle health monitoring and integration with onboard security cameras are designed to improve the overall safety of the system.
The Ontario-based Trapeze Group has awarded the contract to bring Smart Bus technology to Edmonton.
The city says the initial investment into Smart Bus technology is $3.4 million.
The cost for installing technology in the full fleet is approximately $32 million.
The city says transit ridership in Edmonton has increased 60 per cent from 2000 to 2009.
Smart Bus technology is expected to make public transit easier to manage and easier for riders.
