Changes coming to Fort Erie Transit On Demand
Fort Erie Transit On Demand becomes Microtransit on September 30, 2024.
Starting on September 30th, 2024, Fort Erie Transit On Demand will become Microtransit. This change is part of our commitment to making transit more convenient, reliable, and efficient for all riders in the region. With this integration, we are introducing several key updates that will enhance your travel experience.
What’s New?
Transit Pass Changes
As of September 30th, Fort Erie Transit On Demand cards will no longer be accepted. Instead, you’ll need to use Niagara Region Transit passes or make payments through the Transit App. Be sure to use up any remaining balances on your Fort Erie Transit cards before this date, as they will no longer be accepted. Please note that no credits or refunds will be provided for unused balances. Passes are available for purchase on/at:
- Transit App
- Fort Erie Town Hall
For other vendor locations, please see our Transit Fare Outlets Map
Niagara Region Transit Plus App for Booking
Beginning September 30th, you can book all your rides through the Niagara Region Transit Plus App.
This app allows you to easily schedule and manage your trips and offers real-time tracking of your rides. We recommend downloading the app now and setting up your account to prepare for the transition.
Transit App for Payments and Trip Planning
The Transit App is separate from the booking app and designed for payments and multimodal trip planning.
Use the Transit App to pay for your rides and find routes that connect different transit services, including buses, Microtransit, and more. Make sure to download this app as well to streamline your transit experience.
Booking Options
Riders will still be able to book trips by phone.
Our customer service team is available at 1-833-678-5463, ext. 201, to assist and ensure everyone can access booking.
However, we are encouraging people to use the Niagara Region Transit Plus App or book trips from our website: https://book.nrtplus.rideco.com/login. This helps keep phone lines open for those who need personalized support or can only book by phone. App or website bookings can be made at your convenience 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Updated Service Hours
MicroTransit in Fort Erie will operate:
Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Please note that there will be no service on Sundays or holidays.
Fare Policy Changes
Starting September 30th, Fort Erie Transit On Demand cards will no longer be accepted.
Riders must use Niagara Region Transit passes or pay through the Transit App. Please ensure you use up any remaining balances on your Fort Erie Transit cards before this date, as they won’t be accepted after September 30th. No credits or refunds will be provided for unused balances.
Booking in Advance
You can book your Microtransit trips up to 7 days ahead.
We strongly encourage this to ensure you get the trip times you need. Same-day or last-minute bookings may not always be available. Planning ahead is the best way to guarantee your ride.
Starting September 23, you can prebook rides for trips beginning on September 30.
Ride Capping
Please be aware that you can only book one trip per hour.
Once a trip is booked, it cannot be cancelled and rebooked repeatedly. If you cancel or miss your ride, the system will not let you rebook immediately. Please plan your trips carefully to avoid disruptions.
Shared Ride Service
NRT’s Microtransit is a shared, commingled ride service. This means you may share the vehicle with other passengers and could be on board for up to 60 minutes.
Accessibility
If you require an accessible vehicle, whether for a mobility device or because you need a ramp to board, please ensure that you select the appropriate trip type when booking or let our booking staff know.
Pickup Windows
Be ready at the beginning of your pickup window. Your Operator may arrive anytime within the 15-minute window, but once they arrive, they will only wait for two minutes. Please be prepared to board promptly to avoid delays.
Account Setup
Each rider must have an account linked to a unique email address. This is necessary because each rider is only allowed one active trip per hour.
By having separate accounts, we can ensure that each rider’s trips are booked and managed accurately. This also allows us to provide personalized support and maintain the service's efficiency. Please refer to the attached FAQ for information on booking trips for children in the household.
Multimodal Transit
Multimodal transit combines conventional buses, microtransit, and specialized transit into one system.
Whether you’re using Microtransit services to reach a bus stop or travelling across municipalities, our system is designed to make your journey more connected.
Transfers
Remember to ask your Operator for a transfer ticket.
You can connect to conventional transit services at the Fort Erie Leisureplex, the only transfer point in Fort Erie. These transfer tickets are valid for one-way travel only, so they do not allow unlimited rides within a two-hour window.
Defined Travel Times
Your travel time will be set when you book your ride.
You’ll know how long your journey will take in advance, allowing you to plan your day better. The defined travel times are calculated based on distance, traffic conditions, and the number of passengers sharing the ride.
95% On-Time Arrival Guarantee
We are committed to ensuring that at least 95% of rides arrive on time.
This guarantee means that, except for rare exceptions, your vehicle will arrive at your destination within the scheduled window you’ve requested. This commitment helps ensure you can depend on our service for your daily commutes and other essential trips.
No-Show and Late Cancellation Policy
Your service may be restricted if you frequently miss rides or cancel late.
If you accumulate four or more late cancellations or no-shows within 30 days, and these make up 40% or more of your total bookings, you will be placed on a Booking Limitation list. During this time, you can only book up to four rides at a time, with bookings limited to 72 hours in advance.
In-House Booking and Customer Service
1-833-678-5463, ext. 201
Our dedicated in-house customer support team is available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday to Saturday. This means faster, more accurate assistance and real-time support for your booking and transit needs.
Supporting Your Transition
We’re here to help:
- Assist in downloading and setting up the Niagara Region Transit Plus App
- Answer your questions about the new app and services
- Guide you on using the new system
Our Microtransit support team is available Monday to Saturday at 1-833-678-5463, ext. 201.
FAQ
It's the same service with a new name.
Microtransit is a flexible, request-based transportation service in which rides are scheduled in advance or requested in real-time.
Service hours will be:
Monday to Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
There will be no service on Sundays or holidays.
You will need two apps:
- Niagara Region Transit Plus App: For booking and managing trips.
- Transit App: For payments and multimodal trip planning.
Yes, you can continue to book your rides by phone. However, we encourage using the Niagara Region Transit Plus App whenever possible to help keep the phone lines available for those who need extra support.
Call 1-833-678-5463, ext. 201
You can book your MicroTransit trips up to 7 days in advance.
We strongly encourage booking ahead to ensure you get the trip times you need. Same-day or last-minute bookings may not always be available. Starting September 23, you will be able to prebook rides for trips beginning on September 30.
Fort Erie Transit On Demand cards will no longer be accepted after September 30th. Please use up any remaining balances by this date, as no credits or refunds will be provided for unused balances.
If you miss your ride or cancel late, your service may be restricted. Accumulating four or more late cancellations or no-shows within 30 days, making up 40% or more of your total bookings, will result in placement on a Booking Limitation list. You will then only be able to book up to four rides at a time, with bookings limited to 48 hours in advance.
You can only book one trip per hour.
Once a trip is booked, it cannot be canceled and rebooked repeatedly. If you cancel or miss your ride, the system will not let you rebook immediately.
Yes, each household member requires a separate account with their own email address.
Each rider is required to have an individual account because our system allows only one active trip per account at a time. Having separate accounts ensures each passenger can book and manage their own rides and helps us maintain efficient and accurate service for all riders.
If you’re booking a trip for your child, and they won’t be travelling alone, you can manage the ride through your account. Children travelling independently require a separate account.
If you require an accessible vehicle to accommodate a mobility device or a ramp to board, please ensure that you select the appropriate trip type or inform our staff when booking. This will help us accommodate your needs and provide the correct vehicle for your trip.
Our team is committed to providing thorough, personalized support for each rider.
With the service changes, more riders need help setting up accounts and have questions about the updates. We understand that long wait times can be frustrating, and we appreciate your patience.
To reduce your wait time, please call outside peak hours, before 8:30 a.m. or after 4:30 p.m.