The first trial of an on-demand transport service has launched this week in a suburb of Sydney.

The service, called Keoride, is operated by Keolis Downer, Keolis’ Australian subsidiary, and powered by Via, developer of shared-ride technology. This new ride-sharing service will provide a personalized, reliable and efficient service to local communities, and encourage the use of public transport for anyone in the Macquarie Park surrounding area, according to the company. Passengers will be picked up from a designated point within the Macquarie Park precinct to a designated point close to their destination.

The additional flexibility and convenience offered by this on-demand transport service complements existing public transport options, helping to reduce personal car usage, pollution and congestion. This trial is part of the New South Wales Government’s On-Demand Public Transport Pilot Program and the Future Transport Technology Roadmap.

The Keoride app will match passengers who are travelling in the same direction and calculate an optimized flexible route to pick them up and take them to their destination.

"This trial will provide valuable insights for the future development of timetable-less services in NSW, said David Franks, CEO of Keolis Downer.

Keolis Downer, a joint-venture between Keolis and Downer, a provider of engineering, transport and infrastructure services in Australia and New Zealand, runs other on-demand transport services in Australia.