Canadian transit firm Argo, formerly Steer Technologies, is rolling out its smart routing transit system in Bradford West Gwillimbury (BWG), Ontario.

This transit system provides residents with an app that allows them to request a ride near their door for a standard transit fare, with the technology dynamically adding stops based on rider demand. Argo Transit will begin rolling out gradually to residents starting this month, replacing BWG’s existing fixed bus routes in the coming months.

“The launch in Bradford West Gwillimbury represents the debut of a new category of urban mobility,” said Praveen Arichandran, CEO of Argo. “Together with BWG Council and regional partners, we’re showcasing Canadian innovation on a global stage, delivering a transit model that connects people to opportunity and sets a standard for cities worldwide.”

Argo’s vertically integrated transit offering is powered by Argo X1 electric vehicles, intelligent smart routing software and operational management in a single end-to-end system.

Intelligent routing dynamically optimises smart stops based on real-time data, improving service efficiency and rider experience.

Purpose-built accessible electric vehicles from bus maker Karsan (www.karsan.com) feature Argo’s proprietary vertical integration hardware enabling smart routing for efficiency and real-time adaptability in urban environments.

Argo’s end-to-end operational management ensures municipalities can effortlessly deploy and scale advanced transit options, simplifying complex logistics.

Argo says this provides easier access to jobs, education and healthcare, improving the quality of life for all residents. Increased accessibility supports seniors, those with disabilities and underserved populations. Reducing the need to walk or drive to transit stops creates a more convenient alternative to private car usage, driving people into transit systems and out of private cars. Algorithmic routing reduces cost per ride, delivering increased service levels at a lower cost to the taxpayer.

The fully electric fleet and smart charging infrastructure reduce emissions and protect the environment.

“This is a landmark day for Bradford West Gwillimbury,” said BWG mayor James Leduc. “Being the first community worldwide to deploy Argo’s vertically integrated smart routing transit demonstrates our leadership in innovation and our commitment to improving residents’ quality of life.”

Residents of BWG will begin seeing Argo X1 vehicles in service immediately as part of a staged rollout plan during the early access period. Existing fixed bus routes will continue to be fully operational with additional information on the municipality-wide rollout and wind-down of existing routes to be communicated in the coming weeks.

Founded in June 2024, Argo (www.rideargo.com) delivers a fully vertically integrated transit system that integrates every aspect of the transit experience, Municipalities can transition from traditional fixed-route services to dynamically optimised transit systems that deliver better efficiency, coverage and rider satisfaction, while maintaining standard public transit pricing.