'Dynamic dispatching' a bus ride. There's an app for that!

Using the mobile app, or telephone for riders without access to a smartphone, passengers can select a pickup and drop-off location and confirm their ride

20200609 transit bus north bay turl 2 plexiglass barrier

Jeff Turl/BayToday.

You will soon be able to catch a bus ride using your smartphone.

North Bay will be introducing what it calls "a new, efficient and convenient public transit booking and tracking system" beginning Jan. 24, with the launch of dynamic dispatching.

Instead of traditional fixed-route service, riders will be able to download the myRide NBT Dynamic Dispatching app to book their trips.

Using the mobile app, or telephone for riders without access to a smartphone, passengers can select a pickup and drop-off location and confirm their ride. Once a ride is booked, dynamic dispatching technology matches multiple passengers headed in the same direction into one bus and directs passengers to a convenient bus stop location.

The myRide NBT app, which is now available for download at the Apple or Google Play store, will provide time of arrival information and allow for real-time bus tracking.

North Bay Transit is partnering with Via to launch the new service as part of a one-year pilot project, which will be one of the largest of its kind using full-sized buses in Canada.

Dynamic bus dispatching will be used during low transit demand times and in areas where fixed routes are most inefficient and expensive with the aim of reducing wait times, providing more direct trips, and improving efficiency. The service will be available throughout the City with the exception of the south end, which will continue to be serviced by two fixed routes.

"We’re pleased to be introducing a new public transit option to our residents and we’re hopeful that this pilot project will lead to improved service and efficiency,” said Coun. Chris Mayne, Chairman of Council’s Infrastructure and Operations Committee. “It is timely that we’re exploring alternatives to conventional bus service during the pandemic at a time when demand has been drastically reduced. Dynamic dispatching could provide us with more flexibility to better adapt to the current situation.”

This new transit service will operate throughout most of the city on evenings Monday through Friday between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., Saturday between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., and Sundays between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

How to Book a Trip

By smartphone