Brockville supports transit technology upgrade to improve accessibility, operations

The City of Brockville is ready to upgrade its transit technology to better serve riders with accessibility needs and streamline future operations, according to Director of Operations Phil Wood.

Speaking at a city council meeting Tuesday evening, Wood outlined a proposal to replace the city’s existing Cicero transit notification system with a more versatile, cloud-based alternative from TransitFare. The new system would provide visual and audio cues—such as bus route displays and stop announcements—bringing the city closer in line with AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) compliance standards.

“Our current system works, but it has limitations,” Wood told council. “The system we’re proposing offers a suite of features we don’t currently have, and the biggest advantage is that it’s transferable between buses.”

Wood emphasized the operational inefficiencies of the current system, which cannot be moved between vehicles. This has left the city with retired buses sitting in the yard that still contain functioning—but stranded—electronic components. According to Wood, the new modernized system can be installed and later transferred to replacement vehicles, enhancing their long-term value.

The proposed upgrade would require additional expenses of $22,620.39, which Wood suggests should be funded through savings from other projects or from existing reserves. He noted a project already approved in 2023 to explore electronic fare payment systems—budgeted at $75,000—could also potentially align with this new system.

“This system can actually do that,” Wood said, referencing the potential for electronic fare collection and real-time bus tracking. “If we onboard it for the reasons we need today, we can explore that and very likely take the next step toward modernizing our entire transit platform.”

The motion was then called to vote, which was unanimously approved by Council.