Kenora's new Via-powered microtransit model underscores the city's commitment to providing residents and visitors a reliable way to travel car-free.
October. 9, 2024 (KENORA, ONTARIO, CANADA) — Kenora will soon experience a new flexible, affordable, on-demand microtransit service, The Wave, when it hits the road Tuesday, October 15.
Starting at 7 a.m., hop on board for just $2.50 per ride! To celebrate our launch, we’re offering three free one-way rides throughout October. It’s time to ride The Wave and discover a new way to travel to work, the grocery store, your favourite restaurant, local downtown shops, personal appointments, and more!
Our vibrant fleet features four vehicles — two of which are wheelchair accessible— wrapped in eye-catching colours showcasing The Wave logo and branding. The new on-demand microtransit service will replace the conventional transit system that operates one bus on a fixed route model, five days per week. The Wave will not change the services currently offered by the specialized HandiTransit service.
“Public transportation is an important service in our community and Council and City Administration are excited to support a service that enhances accessibility and reliability for everyone,” says Heather Pihulak, Director of Corporate Services. “This innovative shift from a fixed-route bus to on-demand microtransit will significantly improve efficiency and meets the needs of all residents who use public transportation.”
The need for on-demand, turnkey service that provides our community with reliable and fast transportation is essential. The new microtransit model offers an easy-to-use app and phone number to book and track trips. Booking a ride is simple and only takes a few taps on The Wave app. The Wave will be powered by TransitTech provider Via.
“Via is proud to work with the City of Kenora to launch The Wave – a reliable transit option that uses innovative technology to help residents and visitors easily reach crucial opportunities like jobs, healthcare, community services, places of leisure, and more,” said Rob Bryans, Canada Country Manager at Via. “Kenora’s bold investment in tech-powered transit underscores its reputation as a city dedicated to accessibility in its community.”
Download The Wave app today and be among the first to experience the new ridesharing service that will transform how our community gets around the city!
What is on-demand microtransit?
Microtransit is an upgraded model of transportation that collects trip requests and groups passengers into shared rides, in real-time, allowing riders to book and pay for on-demand rides online or by phone. Travel corner to corner with ease. Book a ride in just a few taps.
The app’s intelligent algorithm will match riders headed in the same direction into one shared vehicle. Riders are directed to a “virtual stop” near their pickup and drop-off location, which minimizes detours and keeps the trip efficient for everyone.
What you need to know about The Wave
- The service is offered at an affordable rate of $2.50 per ride, per person.
- The service will run from Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., excluding statutory holidays.
- Book a ride using The Wave app or call 1-866-515-6664.
- Two vehicles are wheelchair accessible with rear-loading ramps. All drivers operating these wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV) are trained and certified in wheelchair securement. Simply indicate “Wheelchair accessibility” on the app, and we’ll provide curb-to-curb service rather than the standard corner-to-corner service.
Get ready to embrace a new wave of transportation in Kenora! For more information visit The Wave’s landing page.
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About Via:
Founded in 2012, Via pioneered the TransitTech category by using new technologies to develop public mobility systems — optimizing networks of buses, shuttles, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, school buses, autonomous vehicles, and electric vehicles around the globe. Building the world's most efficient, equitable, and sustainable transportation network for all passengers — including those with limited mobility, those without smartphones, and unbanked populations — Via works with its partners to lower the costs of public transit while providing transportation options that rival the convenience of a personal car while reducing environmental impact. At the intersection of transportation and technology, Via is a visionary market leader that combines software innovation with sophisticated service design and operational expertise to fundamentally improve the way the world moves, providing technology in 700 communities and more than 35 countries and counting.