Public transit has long been considered the backbone of urban mobility, but suburban and exurban communities often face challenges that city centers do not. With sprawling residential areas and longer distances between stops, conventional bus routes tend to be inefficient, slow, and at times, wasteful. A team of researchers at Concordia University believes that a new approach—On-Demand Transit (ODT)—could offer a more efficient, flexible, and sustainable alternative for suburban commuters. BusPas is proud to support and collaborate with these forward-thinking researchers as we continue to build solutions that pave the way for a Smart City future.
In their paper published in the journal Transportation Research Record, Seyed Mehdi Meshkani and Siavash Farazmand, co-authors and PhD students at Concordia, along with professors Nizar Bouguila and Zachary Patterson, propose ODT as a transit model that could revolutionize suburban commuting in a way similar to how Uber and Lyft transformed the taxi industry. This innovative solution, developed in collaboration with BusPas Inc. and supported by the Mitacs Accelerate project, uses a fleet of passenger vans to replace traditional bus routes, offering a flexible and cost-effective alternative that could redefine suburban mobility.
What is On-Demand Transit (ODT)?
At its core, ODT is an algorithm-based system designed to optimize what is often referred to as the “first mile” of a commute—the initial stage when passengers leave their homes to reach a transit hub, such as a commuter rail or metro station. Traditional buses travel fixed routes and stop frequently, which can result in long wait times and detours. ODT, on the other hand, operates on a more flexible model: instead of following pre-set schedules, drivers respond to real-time rider requests made via smart devices at existing bus stops.
Passengers can request a ride using a mobile app or kiosk at a designated stop, and a right-matching algorithm connects them with the nearest available passenger van. This van then picks up one or more passengers and delivers them to the nearest public transit hub, dramatically reducing the number of stops and overall travel time. The flexibility offered by this system benefits both passengers and transit agencies. Passengers enjoy shorter commutes and less waiting, while transit agencies benefit from reduced operating costs and lower emissions.
The Terrebonne Model: A Case Study
The Concordia researchers used Terrebonne, Quebec, a suburb of Montreal, as a case study for their proposed system. With a moderately sized population and existing connections to the greater Montreal area via commuter rail and bus, Terrebonne provided the ideal environment to model the benefits of ODT. The results were impressive.
The study revealed that the ODT system could reduce total travel time by up to 36% and detour time by 41% compared to traditional bus services. These reductions not only improve the commuting experience for passengers but also help transit agencies operate more efficiently. For instance, buses that run during low-usage hours often ride nearly empty but still incur significant costs—up to $8.98 per kilometer to keep them on the road. In contrast, ODT’s smaller passenger vans require less fuel, maintenance, and training to operate, making the entire system more economical and environmentally friendly.
Fixed Costs, Dynamic Benefits
Unlike ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft, which use dynamic pricing models that fluctuate based on demand, ODT offers fixed pricing. This ensures that passengers can rely on stable, predictable costs for their commutes, regardless of peak travel times. This aspect of the system adds an element of reliability that is often missing in other forms of gig-economy-style transportation.
Building Toward a Smart City Future
BusPas Inc. is honored to have supported this groundbreaking research and congratulates the Concordia team on their forward-thinking approach to suburban commuting. The potential for ODT to disrupt and improve public transit is clear. As a Montreal-based urban mobility tech platform, BusPas is dedicated to advancing smart city initiatives that address the evolving needs of today’s commuters. By supporting innovative solutions like ODT, we are contributing to the creation of more efficient, sustainable, and accessible transit systems.
With technology rapidly reshaping urban and suburban landscapes, BusPas sees ODT as a critical part of the future of public transportation. The ability to leverage algorithms, smart devices, and real-time data to optimize transit services is not just a theoretical concept—it’s a tangible step toward the Smart City future we envision.
As we continue to collaborate with academic researchers, municipal governments, and public transit agencies, BusPas remains committed to deploying intelligent, user-centric solutions that transform how we navigate our cities. On-demand transit, as demonstrated by the Terrebonne model, is a perfect example of how data-driven innovations can solve real-world problems and enhance the quality of life for millions of commuters.
Congratulations to Concordia Researchers
We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Seyed Mehdi Meshkani, Siavash Farazmand, and the entire Concordia research team for their outstanding work. Their contributions are helping shape the future of urban mobility, and BusPas is excited to be part of this journey. Together, we are working to redefine suburban commuting, make public transit more efficient, and create a cleaner, greener, and more connected world.
As we move forward, the future of commuting is not just about getting from point A to point B—it’s about making every journey smarter, faster, and more sustainable. With On-Demand Transit, that future is already on the horizon.
BusPas Inc.
At BusPas, we innovate to offer cutting-edge technology and user-friendly solutions to transit agencies and municipalities. With a focus on integrating AI, real-time data analytics, and smart urban infrastructure, we are a leader in smart city technology.
