Via to Operate On-Demand Transportation Program in Australia
Head of TransLink Matt Longland said the technology behind pre-booked and shared services was critical to deliver efficient and customer focused services.

As part of the partnership, most current and future on-demand transport services will be powered by technology from Via.
Via
An important public transport milestone was reached this month with the signing of a new partnership between TransLink and Via for the development of demand responsive public transport services in Queensland, Australia.
As part of the partnership, most current and future on-demand transport services will be powered by technology from Via and will complement existing public transport services while introducing flexible and dynamic transport offerings.
Head of TransLink Matt Longland said the technology behind pre-booked and shared services was critical to deliver efficient and customer focused services, and the new partnership with Via would accelerate delivery across the network.
"On-demand services are a complementary form of public transport, filling the gap in the mobility spectrum between a regular service bus route and a variable, highly-personalized service offered by taxis or other booked hire services,” said Longland. “Innovative, on-demand public transport doesn't just happen, and our partnership with Via is the first step toward delivering an integrated technology solution that meets service needs and customer expectations."
Demand-responsive transport in Queensland currently operates in Ipswich, Hervey Bay, Toowoomba, Logan, and Mt. Tamborine, with two more services announced for Nerang and Helensvale. Unlike traditional bus networks that rely on routes and schedules, demand-responsive public transport allows passenger flexibility, with varying service models operating in different locations.
Via has been tapped by cities and transportation operators around the world to use software solutions to re-engineer public transit from a regulated system of rigid routes and schedules to a fully dynamic network. Via now has more than 150 launched partnerships in more than 25 countries using on-demand solutions to reimagine transport. In addition to Via’s partnership with TransLink, the company has a growing footprint in Australia and New Zealand, including services in Sydney, Newcastle, Adelaide, Auckland, Canberra, and Timaru.
More New Mobility
Joshua Schank on Transportation Innovation, Risk, and the Future of Mobility
In this edition of METROspectives, the co-author of New Tricks for Old Bureaucracies, discusses lessons from launching LA Metro’s Office of Extraordinary Innovation, the challenges of advancing new mobility technologies, and much more.
Read More →
Biz Briefs: Foothill Gold Line Award, Matawan Contract, and More
From strategic partnerships to acquisitions and service expansions, the industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Find out all the latest here.
Read More →
Inside Look: EMBARK Expands Fare-Free Transit Program Through New Public-Private Partnership
The OKC transit agency says sponsorship helps subsidize the Third Friday Free initiative while reducing barriers for first-time riders and boosting ridership across buses, streetcars, and river cruises.
Read More →
King County Test Heliox Chargers, Keolis Lands California Contract Top Biz Briefs
Stay informed with these quick takes on the projects and companies driving progress across the transportation landscape.
Read More →
Via Announces Scheduling and Supply Studio
The Scheduling and Supply Studio provides the world’s first fully integrated platform for optimizing vehicle and driver availability to rider demand, said company officials.
Read More →
Washington's Community Transit Celebrates 50-Year Milestone
The milestone highlights both the agency’s history and its evolving role in meeting the region’s growing mobility needs.
Read More →
ABQ RIDE Forward's Next Phase Sets Target Date
ABQ RIDE Forward is the first transit system overhaul in more than 25 years. This latest phase marks 15% completion of the 16-phase rollout, which will continue over the next several years.
Read More →
ABC Teams with Waev, Knorr-Bremse in Boston Top Biz Briefs
Stay informed with these quick takes on the projects and companies driving progress across the transportation landscape.
Read More →
ADA Compliant Transit: Easier, More Dignified Travel for Every Passenger
Today’s riders—and the communities you serve—expect more from public transit. While ADA compliance is required, leading transit agencies know that true accessibility also means delivering dignity, efficiency, and a better rider experience. This whitepaper reveals why forward thinking agencies nationwide choose the Low Floor Frontrunner as their first choice for ADA compliant vehicles—setting a new standard with passenger first design, faster boarding, improved safety, and unmatched operational performance.
Read More →
Keolis Contract Extended for Valley Metro's East Valley Fixed-Route Bus Service
Under this extension, Keolis will continue to manage and operate fixed-route bus service across the East Valley, serving communities including Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, the town of Gilbert, parts of Phoenix, and the Gila River Indian Community.
Read More →