Bathurst Launches On-Demand Bus Service

Bathurst, New Brunswick, has introduced a new on-demand public transit service aimed at providing affordable transportation options for its residents. The service utilizes three 24-passenger buses that offer door-to-door rides booked via an app, with a consistent $5 fare for all city travel. Mayor Kim Chamberlain expressed enthusiasm, highlighting the service's potential to benefit students, seniors, and local employers seeking to attract and retain staff. This initiative follows the successful implementation of a similar FlexGo service in Edmundston, which launched last February. That service recorded over 36,000 rides in its first year, significantly exceeding its goal of 13,000 rides by the end of 2025. Projections indicate Bathurst's service may match or surpass Edmundston's success.

FlexGo is expanding its reach, with plans to launch in the Grand Falls area in early February. This launch will include a fixed-route bus connecting Edmundston and Grand Falls twice daily, alongside an on-demand service for surrounding communities like Vallée-des-Rivières, Saint-Quentin, and Kedgwick. The Restigouche region, including Campbellton, is slated to welcome the service in July, also requiring 24-hour advance reservations for door-to-door trips. The long-term vision includes linking these various northern New Brunswick transit systems. Funding for the Bathurst and Edmundston services is secured for three years through a pilot project involving federal, regional, and municipal contributions, totaling $603,000.