The Town of Innisfil will see two new transit pilot projects implemented in the community starting this fall.
City council gave the go-ahead for the micro-mobility pilots which include a three-month fixed route e-shuttle and a 12-month e-carsharing.
In a staff report, it says "the term ‘micro-mobility’ refers to the use of light vehicles that can carry a small number of passengers at a time, such as bicycles, scooters, and even small vehicles."
It also stated that "the overall purpose for the micro-mobility pilots will be to assess the level of demand for these various offerings that could potentially be integrated into the Innisfil Transit service."
Steer Technologies, previously known as Facedrive, will be in charge of the vehicles used for the pilots.
The e-shuttle service includes two four-passenger Tesla model 3s, running along Yonge Street and Innisfil Beach Road from the Barrie South GO Station to Innisfil Beach Park. Stops would include Rizzardo Health and Wellness Centre, Innisfil Town Hall, No Frills, Sobeys, and Innisfil Library.
Three dollars will be the cost of a trip (can be paid by credit/debit in the Steer app or by cash), and it runs between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Lynn Dollin, Innisfil's mayor, says the community is always ready to try new and innovative ideas.
"Because we've developed that reputation, now we have companies that reach out to us because they know that we're not afraid to try new things."
The other pilot involves a 12-month e-carsharing that allows residents to rent one of two Tesla Model 3s, which will be parked at town facilities.
"That's the whole idea," said Dollin. "To run the pilot, survey the users, find out what worked, what didn't work, what they liked about it, would they use it again, and collect that data."
These two projects are part of a first phase, with the second phase potentially being an e-scooter pilot in the summer of 2023.
Banner image - file photo - Barrie 360
