Sydney suburb trials new on-demand mobility service

As part of the New South Wales Government’s On-Demand Public Transport Pilot Program and the Future Transport Technology Roadmap, a new on-demand transport service is being trialled in Macquarie Park: a suburb of Sydney.

The trial began on 26 March 2018 and the service is called Keoride. Operated by Keolis Downer, Keolis’ Australian subsidiary, and powered by Via, the service is expected to encourage the use of public transport for anyone in the Macquarie Park area.

Daniel Ramot, co-Founder and CEO of Via, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Keolis Downer and TfNSW to help Sydney lead the way in mobility innovation through the launch of this convenient, affordable and eco-friendly service.”

Providing a personalised, reliable and efficient service to local communities, passengers will be picked up from a designated point within the Macquarie Park precinct and taken to a designated point close to their destination. Keoride operates exclusively to and from the central precinct in Macquarie Park.

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

David Franks, CEO of Keolis Downer, declared: “By testing innovative first and last connectivity mile solutions, we provide more choices to passengers and a viable alternative to the car. This trial will provide valuable insights for the future development of timetable-less services in NSW.”