TransLink tests new multimodal ride-sharing app

Credit: TransLink

TransLink, in collaboration with Modo, Evo, and Mobi by Rogers, has announced that it is set to unveil a ground-breaking app called RideLink. This application integrates transit, car-share and bike-share services into one seamless platform, promising to simplify trip planning, booking and payments for commuters across the region.

The RideLink app, set to transform the commuting experience, will be accessible to a select group of individuals during its trial phase. The application seeks to eliminate the hassle of changing between multiple apps or websites by offering a truly multimodal journey experience.

Key features of the RideLink app include:

• Trip planning: Users can access real-time information about transit, car-share and bike-share options, along with vehicle and bike locations
• Simple booking and payments: Convenient booking and payment options for car-share and bike-share services
• Easy Registration: Seamless registration for Evo, Modo and Mobi Bike services
• Upgraded compass card: A revamped Compass Card will enable users to tap into transit, Evo and Modo vehicles, as well as Mobi Bikes at bike-share stations.

With over 200,000 registered users of bike-share and car-share services in Metro Vancouver, the RideLink app aims to facilitate effortless transitions between different modes of transportation. The overarching goal is to encourage more individuals to embrace multimodal journeys, thereby reducing reliance on personal vehicles and alleviating traffic congestion.

Drawing insights from TransLink’s inaugural Shared Mobility Pilot, which showcased increased multimodal travel when booking and payment processes were streamlined, the RideLink app emerges as a promising solution. In 2019, participants experienced the convenience of a unified Compass Card, leading to a significant reduction in personal vehicle usage and the exploration of alternative transportation modes.

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As TransLink embarks on the next phase of the trial, the transit authority is inviting applications from 1,300 individuals to test the RideLink app over a one-year period. Participant feedback will be instrumental in evaluating the app’s usability and integration across services, ultimately determining its potential for permanent implementation.

Prospective trial participants must meet specific eligibility criteria, including being at least 19 years old, possessing a valid driver’s license, a credit card and a smartphone. Preference will be given to applicants inclined towards utilising multiple mobility services.

The development, beta testing and integration of the RideLink app have been made possible through a $250,000 grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities via the Green Municipal Fund.

Kevin Quinn, CEO of TransLink, said: “People will consider multimodal transportation much more often if they can use one single app to plan, book and pay for their travel throughout the city, instead of needing to consult with several different apps to figure out where to sign up for a bike, or find a car-share that connects to the transit system.”