The city says it’s looking for a new way to move residents to the municipality’s major transit hubs

In 2026, it will be out with hailing a cab and in with hailing a bus in Brampton, Ont.

Late last month, the city, in partnership with transit solution leader, Toronto-based Argo Corporation, launched a 12-month, $10.9-million pilot project that offers an all-electric, on-demand bus service to riders for one flat fee.

The buses will take residents to and from “smart stops” in downtown Brampton and Brampton Transit and Go Train public transit stations.

“By adopting Argo’s comprehensive system as a complement to our existing transit network, we’re bringing Brampton to the forefront of transit innovation while creating more efficient and accessible transportation options and ‘last mile’ solutions for our residents,” said Brampton’s mayor, Patrick Brown, in a press statement.

Hailing a bus

Brampton residents will be able to order rides on buses by downloading the Argo Transit app, visiting the Argo website, or phoning the company. They can pay using Metrolinx PRESTO cards (the tap cards used across all the public transit services in the GTA).

Argo says the Brampton service will operate from 5:30 am to 9:30 pm on weekdays. The service area is Steeles Avenue to Vodden Street north to south and from Rutherford Road to McLaughlin Road, east to west.

And Brampton residents skeptical of the pilot may be reassured that their city isn’t the first place Argo has operated its on-demand buses in.

Bradford West Gwillimbury launched its own on-demand transit service with Argo in April this year. The feedback has been largely positive, with Argo reporting the on-demand service “more than doubled average daily transit ridership” in the town.

Bus specs

One of the most attractive features of the Argo pilot for Brampton is that it is run using zero-emission Karsan buses.

These are the same transit vehicles that are used in nearby Oakville, Ont.’s on-demand para-transport fleet.

The vehicles in Brampton — Called Argo X1 — are accessible and feature Argo’s Smart Routing hardware.

No firm estimations have been provided, but both the municipality and Argo anticipate that the first- and last-mile on-demand service will reduce passenger vehicle trips at peak times.

“We’re proud to partner with Brampton on a global stage to develop advanced mobility systems, strengthen existing public transit infrastructure, and create a more connected, accessible, and prosperous future,” said Praveen Arichandran, CEO and co-founder of Argo.