November 4, 2021 (Sydney, Australia)— Keolis Downer, in partnership with Transport for NSW, started operating Keoride On Demand transport on 4 November 2017, as part of the NSW Government On Demand pilot program. The service became fully integrated to the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore bus network on 31 October 2021 as Keolis Downer started as the new operator in the area.
Since its launch in 2017, the service has changed travel behaviours, with 42% of customers stating they could replace one of their household vehicles by using On Demand transport.
“Giving the local community access to shared trips that allow more flexibility and convenience, has encouraged the use of public transport”, comments Mark Dunlop, Managing Director of Keolis Downer Northern Beaches.
“In the last four years, Keoride has maintained a high level of customer satisfaction at 98%, with customers giving it a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. This shows how successful the service has been and will continue to be as we introduce new accessible vehicles to our fleet.”
“By introducing four new mini-buses, we aim to improve the accessibility of the service and provide an even more inclusive transport option for all residents and visitors in the Northern Beaches.”
Keoride is an app-based on-demand public transport service powered by Via, the global leader in TransitTech. Via’s intelligent algorithm allows Keoride customers to book an on-demand ride to a nearby key hub and/or to the B-Line in the Northern beaches, and then directs them to a “virtual bus stop” within a short walking distance — allowing for quick and efficient shared trips that provide more flexibility than traditional transport options with fixed routes and schedules.
“We are delighted to continue to partner with Keolis Downer to deliver flexible journeys to riders in the Northern Beaches,” says Ben Hague, Via’s APAC Regional Manager. “The continuation of Keoride is a testament to the enduring impact that efficient, flexible, and sustainable public transportation can bring to a community — ultimately helping residents and visitors more easily connect with both essential and leisure opportunities.”
The Keoride team will be permanently based in Warriewood and will have a customer facing office to allow the community to interact with the team and provide feedback.
About Keolis Downer
Keolis Downer is a leading operator and integrator of public transport in Australia. With close to 5,000 employees and a presence in five states, Keolis Downer enables 250 million passenger journeys per year. We operate and maintain the largest tram network in the world in Melbourne (Yarra Trams), the light rail network on the Gold Coast (G:link), Adelaide Metro train services and more than 1,200 buses in NSW, Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland.
Established in 2009, Keolis Downer is a joint venture between Keolis, a leading public transport operator established in 16 countries, and Downer, the leading provider of integrated services in Australia and New Zealand.
About Via
Founded in 2012, Via pioneered the TransitTech category by using new technologies to power public mobility systems, optimizing networks of dynamic shuttles, buses, wheelchair accessible vehicles, school buses, and autonomous vehicles around the globe. Building the world’s most efficient, equitable, and sustainable transportation network for all riders — including those with limited mobility, those without smartphones, and unbanked populations — Via works with its partners to lower the cost of public transit and provide accessible options that rival the convenience of a personal car at a reduced 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, with 500 global partners on five continents, and counting.