Launched as an effort to better meet the community’s transportation needs, the new Flex service, which can deviate up to one mile off of its set route to pick up riders, operates as a hybrid between DART’s fixed-route buses and paratransit buses that provide door-to-door transportation to qualified riders through reservations made 24 hours in advance.
Participants will be taught how to get to and from the bus, important riding techniques, emergency procedures, and how to get to and from specific destinations.
City officials said when they identify another provider to take over the service's 35,000 monthly trips — which could be Calgary Transit — customers should notice no change, including in door-to-door service.
About one-tenth of passengers at the stop now pay cash, but Metro officials hope people will buy the tickets instead of pushing money into a farebox. The machine is being loaned for free, but the county will pay $10,000 in maintenance and operating costs.
While the transit system was not yet sharing details, it was reported that the drivers were printing out bus passes and selling them on the side at half price and then pocketing the money.