Canada's TransLink Testing New Multimodal Mobility App

BC, Canada’s TransLink, Modo, Evo, and Mobi by Rogers are testing a new app, called RideLink, that brings together transit, carshare, and bikeshare services.

The app, which makes planning, booking, and paying for trips easier and more convenient, is now available to a limited number of people for a trial period and will eliminate the need for using several different apps or websites to provide a truly multimodal experience, according to TransLink.

RideLink App Features

Features of the RideLink app include:

• Trip planning with transit, carshare, and bikeshare options with real-time information about vehicle and bike locations.
• Simple booking and payments for carshare and bikeshare services.
• Easy registration for Evo, Modo, and Mobi Bike services.
• An upgraded Compass Card to tap into transit, Evo, and Modo vehicles as well as Mobi Bikes at bikeshare stations.

There are over 200,000 registered users of bikeshare and carshare in Metro Vancouver. The new app will allow users to easily transfer between transit and each mode, with the goal of encouraging even more users to consider multimodal journeys.

“People will consider multimodal transportation much more often if they can use one single app to plan, book and pay for their travel throughout the city, instead of needing to consult with several different apps to figure out where to sign up for a bike, or find a carshare that connects to the transit system,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. “This is the first step in creating a truly seamless multimodal experience and decreasing reliance on car ownership.” 

Data Contributing to Single App Solution 

Data from TransLink’s first Shared Mobility Pilot shows people are more likely to choose multimodal travel when booking and payment options are simplified.

In 2019, users received a Compass Card that worked on all four of these services, with one integrated billing account. Sixty percent of participants said they reduced personal vehicle use, and 56% said they tried a new mode of transportation due to the card.

As part of the next phase of the trial, TransLink is accepting applications for 1,300 people to test the new multimodal app. The agency will then gather feedback from participants over a one-year period on the usability and ease of integration between the services. The feedback will determine whether the app will become permanent in the future. 

App development, beta testing, and integration is possible thanks to a $250,000 grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities through the Green Municipal Fund.