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2007 Update

iXpress: Central Transit Corridor Express Bus Project

Region of Waterloo Central Transit

Introduction

The Region of Waterloo's express bus service, iXpress, was launched in 2005. The limited-stop service runs between Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo and utilizes advanced transit technology and intermodal integration initiatives. In 2006/07, the service was expanded and new technologies were added.

Summary of Work Completed

iXpress: Further improvements to the iXpress service were added in 2006/07, including the implementation of evening and weekend service. The construction of the remaining six stations was completed, resulting in a total of 13 stations now in operation over the 37 kilometre-long route.

iXpress ridership has steadily increased since the implementation of the service. The first year target of 3800 daily boardings was exceeded, as was the second target of 5000. In September 2007, average daily boardings reached 5700.

Transit technology: Fifteen iXpress buses have been equipped with vehicle location control systems. Dispatch and the control centre use this technology to track the location of the buses, which helps determine how to react to delays in service, such as establishing detour options.



Transit signal priority (TSP) was executed at 17 intersections along the route. Preliminary evaluation of the service using on-bus video and a computerized route-mapping program indicated the technology saves an average of a minute and a half at intersections with TSP during midday.

Thirty-four buses have been fitted with passenger counters to garner information on passenger activity and running times.

"Easy Go" Traveller Information System: Real-time arrival information for the next two buses can now be obtained from LED signs that have been installed at the stations. Flat panel displays at the two main transit terminals indicate both schedule and real time information for the service. In addition, an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) phone system has been implemented, which allows passengers to receive by phone the schedule time for the next two buses.

In the future, a web-based trip planner may be developed to give passengers 24-hour access to schedule information, searchable by parameters such as least travel time or number of transfers. Information may also be provided via PDA, cell phone, and other web-enabled devices.

Intermodal Integration: All buses have been fitted with bike racks and an additional 21 ring and post bike racks have been installed at the stations. Longer-term bike parking lockers have also been installed at key transit terminals. At present, a month-long commitment is required to rent the lockers, but this may be reduced to encourage further use of the facilities. In the future, a cycling path will be constructed to link into at least one iXpress stations.

Pedestrian audits performed at several of the key iXpress stations resulted in the construction of a number of pedestrian improvements, including the extension of sidewalks across driveways and the installation of ladder crosswalks at busy intersections to increase their visibility for both pedestrians and drivers.

Marketing and Outreach: In September 2006, 1900 households in a Cambridge neighbourhood were surveyed to establish a baseline of travel patterns and behaviours. In the spring of 2007, information about alternative modes of transportation was distributed to the 538 respondents who indicated they were interested in receiving it, along with rewards and incentives. A follow-up survey is currently being completed to see if travel modes have changed as a result.

Web pages for the program are continually updated to provide the public with the most current information on service status and technological advances. Targeted marketing has also occurred in the community, such as the distribution of promotional materials (i.e. bookmarks, cut-out buses and iXpress schedules) at Wilfrid Laurier University.



Benefits Measurement

The direct impact of certain project components (such as the reduction in delay due to implementing the TSP) was measured through the collection of field measurements. This data was transferred into models that quantified the impact of project activities into other terms such as change in GHG emissions and people's travel behaviour.

In its first year of operation, it is estimated that the iXpress service saved approximately 1.5 million kilometres of personal vehicle travel, a reduction of approximately 500 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

The total impact of all the systems was more easily measured by simple field measurements, such as the tracking of ridership and performing rider surveys. Three surveys have been conducted so far: one afternoon-only survey during December 2005 (615 responses), a full-day survey in February 2006 (1146 responses) and another conducted over two days in March 2007, with half of the buses surveyed each day (1077 responses). Data gathered through the surveys included contact information, age, gender, trip purpose, trip origin and destination, trip frequency, the travel mode used to access the iXpress service, and the travel mode used to make the trip prior to the availability of the iXpress. Some key results include:

  • The number of people who had made the trip prior to the availability of the iXpress went from 92% in February 2006 to 58% in March 2007, suggesting that the service has contributed to an increase in mobility.
  • The majority of respondents (72 - 79%) used regular transit before the iXpress became available; the most prominent reason for switching was faster service.
  • The number of people switching from car travel to the iXpress increased from 13% in 2006 to 19% in 2007; reasons for doing so included the increased cost of gas, the difference in the environmental impact, and the loss of car availability.
  • 10% of respondents did not take the trip before the iXpress was available because the trip took too long.

Further evaluation will occur as project components reach 100% implementation.



Challenges and Successes

Resources: The need to specifically dedicate staff resources to this project was not initially recognized, especially for tasks requiring specific skills.

Accessability: Balancing access (i.e. the number of stations) with mobility (i.e. travel time) was a challenge.

Connection with local transit: Currently, the iXpress schedule is controlled at one end and run through as quickly as possible, but may not have the best time connection with the local transit service.

Ridership levels: Since the initiation of the service, ridership levels have been hitting or exceeding long-term targets.

Community profile: The iXpress boasts a positive community profile due to branding strategy (applied to shelter design, fleet identification, etc.) and positive initial media coverage.

Cross-departmental staff collaboration: This project has allowed GRT to work with experts outside the department, in areas such as architectural technology. A key success was the use of a prime contractor, which helped keep the project contractors accountable. Stakeholder relationships have also been buoyed through collaboration with new suppliers, consultants, universities, etc.



Project Participantss

The lead participants in this project are the Region of Waterloo and Grand River Transit. Other partners and supporters include the Cities of Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge, the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Grand River Hospital.

For More Information

For more information, please visit the iXpress website or contact:

John Cicuttin
Associate Director, Transportation Planning
Regional Municipality of Waterloo
150 Frederick Street
Kitchener, ON N2G 4J3
Tel: (519) 575-4023
Fax: (519) 575-4449
Email: CiJohn@region.waterloo.on.ca

Date modified:
2010-02-03