Riding the Wave of a Successful Launch

The City is excited to share the successes of its new microtransit service, The Wave, in partnership with TransitTech provider Via. The service began operations on October 15, 2024, and has received a warm welcome from the community, demonstrating significant impact, strong performance, and high rider satisfaction.

Matt Worona from Via shared the impressive first-month statistics. He emphasized that the key elements of reliable transit are “fast, frequent, and reliable service.” The Wave is living up to this promise, with an average response time of 14.3 minutes from ride request to pick-up. This makes it easier than ever for Kenora residents to travel without the hassle of coordinating their busy lives around a fixed traditional bus schedule.

Here are some notable highlights from The Wave’s first month:

• Processed 5,455 ride requests with an impressive 94% demand met rate
• An average of 4.9 passengers per driver per hour.
• A maximum of 203 completed rides in a single day.
• 95% of rides were booked via the mobile app, highlighting strong digital adoption in our community.
• 59% of rides were shared, promoting efficient use of resources.

Since its launch, The Wave has increased transit access for 10,100 residents, reaching 26% more residents than the previous traditional fixed-route service.

Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with an average ride rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars, and 93% of ratings being 5 stars. During this initial month, The Wave received 680 ratings, reflecting the community’s appreciation for the service.

Looking ahead, the City and Via continue their collaboration with the preparation of a grant application to the Ontario Transit Investment Fund (OTIF). This funding would help improve transit services in unserved and underserved areas. Future plans include:

• Extending service hours and days of operation.
• Expanding service to more residents and employers in Kenora.
• Consider implementing paratransit (door-to-door) services for individuals with mobility challenges.

Residents are encouraged to ride The Wave and experience the benefits of this innovative microtransit solution. For more information and to book your ride, visit The Wave.

Media contact

Heather Pihulak, Director of Corporate Services
807-467-2295