Timaru locals get first taste of MyWay by Metro
Timaru’s much anticipated on-demand public transport service, MyWay by Metro, takes to the streets next week as 150 locals put the vehicles and technology through their paces.
What is MyWay by Metro?
MyWay by Metro has been designed from the ground up to suit Timaru, with ease of use, accessibility and customer experience top of mind.
Our public transport community engagement advisor, Isabelle Bromham, says the new service not only improves the local public transport offering but makes it possible for anyone to connect with vital services as well as the people, places and activities they love.
“Our philosophy has been focused on the needs of our local community. We’ve done that through an extensive engagement programme, working closely with support agencies, businesses, schools and community groups to listen and hear what people need.
"Resoundingly, we’ve been hearing that this is flexibility and connection across our community.”
The pilot
A small group of Environment Canterbury and Timaru District Council staff will trial the service for the first week of the pilot, joined on 24 February by 150 people from across the community.
Bromham says that those taking part in the pilot have been selected to ensure a diverse range of residents is covered, and that the group is large enough to enable a realistic version of the on-demand service to be offered.
The pilot will run for nine weeks, connecting all of the Timaru urban area including Washdyke, Gleniti and the Port area.
It will ensure all aspects of the service can be extensively tested, and any required changes made before MyWay opens to the public later in April, Bromham says.
MyWay will use LDV and Mercedes Sprinter vehicles and a local call centre operated by Ritchies. Customers will request a vehicle directly from the smartphone app, through the locally operated call centre, or online.
Booking functionality for members of the public will be available from 20 April.