No. 015, March 2006






Smart card contract signed

The contract to supply a new fare collection system has been signed and according to Metrobus officials, the half-million dollar technology will be much less expensive to operate than its current fare collection system. The successful bidder, ITS Mexico, will design and install a smart card-based system over the next several months.

Metrobus’ Manager of Marketing & Information Services Mark Chancey says the new fare collection technology is second-to-none. “I’ve been involved with a lot of new innovative service technologies, but this smart card system is one of the most exciting yet. The benefits for both our customers and us as the service provider will be immediate.”

Chancey says the new system provides incredible levels of security and no longer will customers have to fear losing or having a bus pass stolen. “Once a customer notices the pass is missing, a simple phone call to us will disable the pass so it cannot be used on our system. What’s even better, for just a few dollars, the customer can purchase a new replacement smart card and we can load back on the rides that were remaining at no extra cost “, says Chancey.

And there are security improvements for Metrobus as well, as bus pass fraud will be eliminated - the new smart card passes will be impossible to copy and distribute. “There are a whole bunch of other advantages for customers, like cross promotions with retailers and a frequent rider program - a sort of Aeroplan for Metrobus customers, whereby they will collect points for riding with us and cash those points in for merchandise or more rides with us. The new Metrobus Smart Card will be a real valuable item in your wallet, and not just for bus rides”, according to Chancey.

The new smart cards will replace current monthly, semester and 10-ride passes; cash riders will not be affected. Customers can expect to be using the new smart card by November of this year.

Test messaging service first of its kind
Markham, Ontario - March 2, 2006 - VitalConnex announced today the pilot introduction of a new service for transit riders called myStop. myStop is a text messaging service for transit riders that eliminates long waits at a bus stop. Instead, myStop allows transit riders to wait for their bus wherever they'd like. The service will notify them when it's time to head to their bus stop.

myStop text messaging service is available to any transit rider with a mobile phone. This affordable service is available for any stop on any Metrobus route in the greater St. John's and Mount Pearl area. St. John's customers are the first in Canada to receive this unique service. CEO Bob Kirby explains, "myStop tracks the current location and rate of progress of each bus in real time. It sends you a text message when the bus is approaching your stop. And you get to decide how much lead time you need. myStop continuously estimates when each bus will arrive at your stop and then will send you another message if the quoted estimated time of arrival changes. It's practical and personal."

By using myStop, Metrobus riders will receive the arrival times of the next bus and the following bus - for specific routes or all routes serving their stop. Additional features allow riders to schedule an alert for "the first bus after" or "the last bus before" a given time. Riders can also create a schedule of regular alerts for different stops at various times throughout the week. To register online please visit www.myStop.ca.

"VitalConnex is very excited to begin offering myStop text messaging service to Metrobus riders this winter. We know that this will be a value-added feature for all transit riders," said Bob Kirby.

Get involved - Youth Summit on Sustainable Transportation

Are you interested in sustainable cities? Would you like to get involved in a sustainable transportation project or initiative but don’t know where to start? While the road to urban sustainability may be challenging, it is also exciting and worthwhile. Cities in Canada and around the world are taking sustainability seriously and, as leaders of tomorrow, youth have an important role to play in creating positive change. From leading by example to launching new projects and initiatives it is clear that sustainable transportation matters!

The International Youth Summit on Sustainable Urban Transportation creates an opportunity for delegates to:

Discuss and discover the role of transit, walking and cycling in fostering urban sustainability.
Learn about international best practices in urban and transportation planning.
Initiate a mentor assisted project or activity relating to a sustainable transportation theme.
Build a network of contacts who are national or international leaders in urban and transportation planning, the transit industry, quality of life, traffic calming and urban sustainability.
Meet people with common interests and HAVE FUN!

Spaces available for 80 action inspired youth, between the ages of 18 and 24. This year's Summit is being held in Montreal, July 12-17. For more information, or to apply, visit www.youthsummit.ca.

We want you! Metrobus System Review
Metrobus will be conducting a full system review in 2006 and we want your help to “build a better Metrobus”. The current route system was designed close to fifteen years ago and a lot has changed in St. John’s since that time. According to Metrobus General Manager Judy Powell, the timing is right for the review. “We want to study everything as it pertains to the service our customers receive, especially with respect to our route design and service times. With fuel and insurance prices at record high levels and with environmental issues building momentum across the country, we believe that public transit will be receiving a lot of attention over the next several years. In the end, we want a service that we can market to all residents in our service area who will be looking for cost-effective, efficient transportation alternatives.”

The review will have strong customer involvement as Metrobus believes that when it comes to public transit in St. John’s, Metrobus customers are the experts. For more information on how to get involved, please visit www.metrobus.com/review.

Customer's Corner  A customer writes:  "I actually, at one point, brought up a suggestion to have a full service map, and now there is one online. Just wondering if this will actually be in print at some point?"

Metrobus Responds:  At the current time, we will not be printing any copies of the system map. We are undertaking a full review of our system in 2006 and expect that some changes will be made to build a better, more efficient Metrobus system for customers. We really don't want to spend thousands of dollars in printing costs only to have the maps become somewhat obsolete within the year. Once the review has been completed and we’re comfortable with any changes that may be made, we will again look at providing a printed system map for customers.

Thanks for being a customer.