TTC to display unplanned route diversions in Transit app

September 3, 2024 Canuck

TTC riders will now be able to track unplanned bus and streetcar diversions in real time on the Transit app, the transit agency says.

The move is part of a yearlong pilot project with the app, which is already used by 300,000 riders a month, the TTC said in a news release.

“We’re excited to deliver this new feature to our customers free of charge so they’re able to see in real-time if circumstances outside our control are impacting their trip,” said Josh Colle, chief customer and strategy officer at the TTC, in a statement.

“Knowing where a bus or streetcar is located, when it will arrive, and how to complete your trip as quickly as possible are essential to improving the customer experience,” he said.

This will be the first time riders will be able to see the path of detoured buses and streetcars on a map on their phone — though detoured routes will only automatically appear in the Transit app after three vehicles follow the same route.

Route diversion screenshots from the Transit app — Diversions will appear like these examples in the app. (Transit/TTC)

The section of a normal route that is not being served during a detour will be marked in the app with dashed lines, the TTC says, and closed stops will be shown on the map with an “X” icon.

Then, once a vehicle goes back to its usual route, the app updates to show regular service has resumed.

TTC riders are also being invited to leave feedback through the Transit app’s “contact us” button.

“Nobody likes that frustrating, sinking feeling of realizing at the stop that the route you normally rely on got diverted somewhere else,” said David Block-Schachter, chief business officer at Transit, in a statement. “When disruptions occur, it’s important to not only communicate with riders as soon as possible, but to also show them where the route is now running, right on the map.

“Transit’s detour detection feature ensures riders will no longer wait at a stop that got moved.”

View original article here Source