By Cecilia Nasmith

Following Monday's committee-of-the-whole council meeting, the Town of Cobourg announces an April 19 soft launch of Cobourg Rides – a town-wide demand-based public transit service available to residents and visitors on a trial basis.

The town and its current transit operator Century Transportation have partnered on this initiative with RideCo, a technology company that will provide on-demand shared rides, thanks to software that will optimize demand in order to accommodate as many people as possible in the fewest vehicles that will ensure they reach their destination in a reliable way.

In the subsequent press release, Councillor Brian Darling said the innovation will provide the community with cost-effective travel options and improved passenger experience that will make parts of Cobourg more accessible.

“We are thrilled to join Century Transportation and partner with RideCo to launch this innovative new mode of public transit that will provide an improved customer experience for riders and increase transit ridership,” Darling said.

The Cobourg Rides on-demand transit trial will be launched in two phases.

The first, beginning April 19, will provide WHEELS transit members with access to on-demand transit for all hours of operation, and all riders will have the option of utilizing the on-demand service during evenings and weekends. Riders can also continue to use the conventional-transit fixed-route system on weekdays until 5 p.m.

The second phase, beginning June 14, will see all services for both WHEELS and conventional-transit users switch to the on-demand mode of operations.

Rides can be booked up to three weeks in advance. Riders are asked to wait at the curb for pick-up, and reminded that masks are mandatory during the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are three ways to make a booking – going on-line, calling 905-373-0582 and through the Pick-Up On-Demand app that can be downloaded on Google Play and the Apple store.

The press release offered further details on Phase One, which runs from April 19 through June 13, during which all WHEELS members can book rides between 6:15 a.m. and 10 p.m. weekdays, 8:15 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. Saturdays, and 8:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. Sundays. WHEELS members are asked to call the booking number first before utilizing the app, to ensure their accounts and e-mail addresses have been approved as a WHEELS member.

Riders of conventional transit can book rides weekdays from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 8:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., and Sundays from 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Meanwhile, conventional fixed-route transit service will continue to be available weekdays from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The call-centre operating hours for all bookings will be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, 8:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Saturdays, and 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Sundays.

The system shifts to Phase Two - full on-demand service for both WHEELS and conventional riders - starting June 14. Thereafter, there will be a single set of operating hours for all – 6:15 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, 8:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Saturdays, and 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Sundays,

For more information on the Cobourg Rides on-demand transit trial (including how to book, how to pay, and pick-up and ride service), visit www.cobourg.ca/rides or call the Public Works Division at 905-372-4555.