STO On Demand now available in Transit

The new STO On Demand microtransit service is now available in Transit, the recommended app of the Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO). The STO is the first transit agency in Quebec to provide on-demand service in Transit. This pilot project allows Transit users in Buckingham and Masson-Angers to plan trips combining STO’s on-demand transit with its bus network. It also marks the first North American integration for Padam Mobility, a leader in on-demand public transport solutions in Europe.

When planning a trip in Transit, users will see STO On Demand as part of a multimodal trip option in combination with STO’s fixed-route service, or as a standalone option for trips within the on-demand service areas. Riders are then directly linked to the STO On Demand app to request their ride.

This flexible transit option, which has the same fare as the bus, is provided by Taxi Loyal Monday to Saturday from 7 AM to 8 PM and Sundays and holidays from 8 AM to 8 PM. Riders can pay directly in the STO On Demand app, with a bus fare, or using cash.

A growing number of transit agencies are looking to microtransit as a means to complement traditional fixed-route service and extend the reach of their network, and this collaboration between STO, Padam Mobility and Transit brings the power of on-demand transportation to riders’ fingertips in Buckingham and Masson-Angers. It’s also possible to request a ride online or by phone.

Quotes from Transit and its partners

“Integrating STO On Demand with Transit is a huge win for public transit,” said Sam Vermette, Chief Executive Officer at Transit. “By making microtransit available in the app thousands of riders are already using in Gatineau, the STO is helping its customers make the most of its entire network. We’re also proud to collaborate with Padam Mobility on its first North American integration, and we’re looking forward to what’s next for this partnership.”

“The STO wants to offer a simple and seamless experience to its riders that includes the tools they already use,” said STO Chair Myriam Nadeau. “We’re proud to make it easy to access STO On Demand and to plan multimodal trips with Transit app.”

“The spectacular growth of on-demand transit, which makes it possible to better serve sparsely populated areas while controlling the costs of public transit, makes perfect sense when integrated into efficient trip planning tools such as Transit,” said Grégoire Bonnat, President and co-founder of Padam Mobility. “It is only then that it can take its full place in a multimodal, integrated offer serving a population in need of simple and relevant solutions.”