How Leamington transformed LTGO into an adaptable and flexible system.

Overview

For over three decades, Leamington has operated a conventional fixed-route transit service, Leamington Transit, to meet the mobility needs of its residents. Established in 1985, this service relied on 64 permanent bus stops covering both residential and commercial areas of the municipality.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp decline in ridership, prompting Leamington to rethink its approach to public transit. Recognizing the need for a more adaptable and efficient system, the municipality partnered with Blaise to introduce LTGO, an on-demand transit service designed to offer greater flexibility, efficiency, and convenience

Challenges

Pandemic Impact: A Sharp Decline in Ridership

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted public transit in Leamington. With lockdowns, remote work, and health concerns reducing travel demand, ridership numbers plummeted. The financial strain on the system raised concerns about long-term sustainability, prompting the municipality to explore alternative transit models that could better adapt to fluctuating demand.

Inefficiencies: Fixed Routes No Longer Fit Rider Needs

A static, fixed-route system meant buses often ran on pre-set schedules, even when demand was low. This resulted in underutilized vehicles, excessive wait times, and inefficient routes that didn’t align with real-time rider needs. As travel patterns changed, it became evident that a more flexible and dynamic solution was required to provide reliable, efficient service without unnecessary operational costs.

Limited Data: A Lack of Actionable Insights

Leamington’s transit system lacked the necessary data to optimize routes, improve service delivery, and understand rider behavior. Without digital tracking and analytics, decision-making was based on static schedules rather than real-time usage patterns. This lack of insight made it difficult to adjust services effectively or identify opportunities for improvement. These challenges underscored the need for a smarter, data-driven, and rider-centric transit system, one that could respond to real-time demand while maintaining efficiency and accessibility.

Our Solution

Leamington partnered with Blaise to completely reimagine its public transit system, shifting to a fully on-demand service. The new LTGO service connects riders to the nearest available pick-up and drop-off locations, optimizing routes in real time and maximizing efficiency

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Digital trip booking experience

Riders can book trips digitally through Blaise’s mobile and web app, or by calling a dedicated third-party call centre, ensuring accessibility for all.

‍Multilingual support

To better serve the area's growing Spanish-speaking population, the platform offers a Spanish-language mobile and web app experience.

Flexible Payment Options

Riders can choose between digital payments, monthly passes, or traditional payment methods, making it easier to access transit services

Data-Driven Enhancements

The municipality continuously analyzes real-time transit data and rider feedback to refine and optimize service performance.

‍Results

Since launching in May 2022, LTGO has not only recovered but surpassed pre-pandemic ridership levels, boasting a remarkable 267% increase. This extraordinary growth highlights the demand for modern, rider-centric transit solutions and solidifies LTGO’s long-term viability.

The success of LTGO showcases the potential for on-demand transit to revolutionize public transit, reducing inefficiencies while significantly boosting ridership. Leamington’s shift to a flexible, tech-driven model with Blaise offers a scalable blueprint for other municipalities seeking cost-effective, high-impact transit solutions.

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