Niagara’s regional on-demand transit system recorded its busiest month ever in Niagara-on-the-Lake in June, providing 1,511 rides to transit users. 

This brings the total uses to 10,504 since the on-demand system was first implemented in November 2020.

Over 95 per cent of riders give the service a five out of five rating, according to a Town of NOTL staff report.

“I’m just hearing nothing but fabulous results from our transit system,” Coun. Gary Burroughs told council’s committee of the whole meeting on Aug. 22.

Riders can request a trip with the NRT OnDemand system using the service’s mobile app or by calling a dedicated number, 289-302-2172.

With it, you can book a minivan to take you around town or to other parts of the Niagara region.

Trips within NOTL are $3 each way and if a rider wants to connect to an NRT bus and leave NOTL, it’s $6.

Service wait times averaged 12.21 minutes in June, about half as long as in neighbouring municipalities across the region, said chief administrator Marnie Cluckie.

The flexibility of the on-demand system has been an important consideration in the development of the transportation master plan.

Parks and recreation manager Kevin Turcotte said, “This solution seems to be the right fit for Niagara-on-the-Lake.” 

Council and town staff are working with the Region of Niagara to come up with a transit plan that will best meet the needs of the town.

“The jury’s still out on the transit system in terms of what they’re going to provide,” Lord Mayor Betty Disero said.