Fredericton Transit explores rider improvements

The City of Fredericton is working on a pilot project to improve the local bus system with improvements that would include a smartphone app and cashless payment options.

Taeler Dixon and Anthony Colford, two transit users,went to city officials with the idea after struggling with the challenge of figuring out the city's bus schedule.

"I suppose you could say that the idea was spawned by our own feelings and experiences with the transit system," said Dixon, a mobile applications specialist with ReadyPass Services Inc.

"You never know when the bus is going to come or if it's delayed, or you got to figure out the route, you got to look at the big confusing map."

The smartphone app would provide notificationswhen a bus is approaching a user's stop.

"Say the bus is five minutes late, you don't need to spend five minutes standing outside in the snow," said Dixon.

"If you can actually see where the buses are on your smartphone and it says the bus will be there in one minute and it's going to take you 30 seconds to walk to the stop, I think folks will find it much more convenient to plan their trip."

Darren Charters, the manager ofFredericton Transit,welcomed Dixon, Colfordand their ideas.

"Most people find it almost intimidated to look at a bus schedule," said Charters.

"I do myself. I don't understandit very well."

Charters was especially intrigued by the idea of a cashless payment system.

Using field technology or chips about the size of a pen point like that used in near-field tap technology in credit cards, riders will be able to use a 3D printed keychain, a sticker or smartphone to pay when they board the bus. Credit can be added to accounts using the app,going onlineor visiting local stores.

Charters says similar systems used in major cities have proved too expensive for Fredericton.

"We figured out very quickly that these kids knew what they were talking about," said Charters.

"They had a great idea that no one else offered."

The city and ReadyPass hope to roll out the new technology early in 2016.