Transit agencies are facing significant challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis. Agencies are required to balance how to adapt to the new reality while continuing to provide sufficient transit service. Paul Buck, Transit Manager for Belleville Transit, joins us to discuss how his agency is successfully utilizing on-demand transit to respond to the crisis.

1. Adapting to COVID-19:
How Belleville Responded
with On-Demand Transit
April 30th, 2019
Webinar
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2. Webinar
Speakers
Paul Buck
Transit Manager
Belleville Transit
Luke Mellor
Marketing Director
Pantonium Inc.
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3. Webinar Agenda
Belleville Transit Before COVID-191
Belleville Transit’s COVID-Response2
How and Why Belleville Shifted to On-Demand3
Operational Results4
Lessons From On-Demand Deployment5
The Post-COVID-19 Future of Transit6
Questions7
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4. Belleville Transit
Before COVID-19
Population
50,716
Service Area Size
247.2 km2
Total Transit Mileage
1,079,105
Total Transit Service Hrs.
57,421
Fleet
16 40’ Nova Buses
3 specialized
Staff
• 34 Drivers
• 2 Supervisors
• 3 Mechanics
• 1 CSR
Annual Passengers
1,135,409
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5. Belleville Transit’s
COVID-19 Response
• 80% decline in ridership
• Social distancing on vehicles, rear door boarding
• Increased vehicle cleaning costs
• No fare collection
Starting March 27th
On-demand service only.
5-6 vehicles covering entire city
Operates from 7 AM – 12 AM
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6. Commute Comparison
Fixed vs. On-Demand
Belleville, Ontario
2
1
• Number of trips in Belleville
(Mar 28 – Apr 4): 9
• Average Ride time of those trips:
23.56 min
• Google Maps fixed route transit options:
38 min with 1 transfer
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Victoria Ave. & Foster Ave.
Walmart
1
2

7. Commute Comparison
Fixed vs. On-Demand
Belleville, Ontario
Pine St. & Golfdale Rd
Concentrix
1
2
2
1
• Number of trips in Belleville
(Mar 28 – Apr 4): 6
• Average Ride time of those trips:
23.17 min
• Google maps fixed route transit options:
21 min with 1 transfer
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8. Lessons from Deployment
On-demand transit
can provide
coverage more
efficiently than fixed
routes in low
demand situations
Supply of vehicles is
more flexible on a
day to day basis
with on-demand
transit
Technology should
move toward even
more automation
(zero driver
interaction)
Fixed routes are still
more efficient than
on-demand in busy
urban areas but
could reduce
transfers and
commute times
1 2 3 4
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9. Questions?
Paul Buck
Transit Manager
Belleville Transit
Luke Mellor
Marketing Director
Pantonium Inc.
Pantonium 2020 ©

10. Thank you
& Stay Safe
www.pantonium.com
Pantonium 2020 ©