WEGO (Niagara Falls)

(Redirected from WEGO (bus rapid transit))

WEGO Visitor Transportation System (WEGO) is a bus system in Niagara Falls, Ontario jointly operated by Niagara Region Transit (formerly Niagara Falls Transit before 2023) and the Niagara Parks Commission. It replaced Niagara Falls Transit's Falls Shuttle, as well as the Niagara Parks Commission People Mover. Originally scheduled to launch on June 29, 2012, the service's inauguration was postponed due to delays in its buses' intelligent transportation system. WEGO launched its preview service on August 13, 2012, then finally began official operations, a week later, on August 20.[1] WEGO is a pairing of the words "we" and "go". WEGO is not an acronym for anything, however.[2]

WEGO Visitor Transportation
ParentNiagara Region Transit
Founded2012
Service areaNiagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Service typebus service
Routes3
Fleet27 buses
Fuel typediesel
OperatorNiagara Region Transit and Niagara Parks Commission
Websitewegoniagarafalls.com

Fares and connections

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Fares

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Fares are accurate as of September 2024.

Age group Blue and Green Lines
24-hour pass 48-hour pass
2 and under Free Free
3 to 12 $9.00 $13.00
13 and over $13.00 $17.00

Connections and transfers

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Connections between the local Niagara Region Transit service and WEGO require separate fares. WEGO pass holders transferring to Niagara Region Transit must pay a Niagara Region Transit fare. Niagara Region Transit transfers are not valid on WEGO.[3][4][5]

WEGO also connects with inter-regional transit customers using GO Transit, VIA Rail, and Coach Canada via the Green Line. GO Transit stations along the Niagara excursion train sell WEGO passes when the train is in operation. At Fort George National Historic Site, connection is available to Niagara-on-the-Lake Transit's Heritage-Old Town route.

Operations

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WEGO has a fleet of 20 articulated (60 ft) and 7 standard (40 ft) buses, wrapped in a WEGO livery. All vehicles are owned by Niagara Region Transit, who leases them to the Niagara Parks Commission to operate on the Green line, Blue line, and the Niagara-on-the-Lake shuttle. Niagara Region Transit used to operate certain lines using WEGO buses, until an agreement was ended in August 2024.[6][7]

WEGO incorporates intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to its bus operations, which allows the following:[8]

  • real-time bus arrivals by scanning a QR code at the bus stop,
  • signal priority to minimize intersection delays,
  • automated stop announcements (in compliance of AODA),
  • automated fare collection, and
  • television screens that feature the city's weather conditions, local events, tourist attractions and local hotels.

References

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  1. ^ Langley, Alison. "New tourism buses stall". Niagara Falls Review. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  2. ^ "Branding of new Niagara Falls Visitor Transportation System — WEGO — revealed". Government of Canada. Archived from the original on 24 May 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  3. ^ Day, Matt. "WEGO officially a go". Niagara Falls Review. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  4. ^ Conradi, Peter. "Parks Commission to examine single-day pass for new WEGO bus system". Bullet News Niagara. Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  5. ^ "Fares". Niagara Region Transit. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  6. ^ Dakin, Dan. "Away WEGO. New bus system now running". St. Catharines Standard. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  7. ^ Spiteri, Ray (2024-08-07). "Niagara Parks to take over operation of Wego blue line". Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  8. ^ "Bus Features". WEGO. Archived from the original on 22 April 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
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  Media related to WEGO Niagara Falls Visitor Transportation at Wikimedia Commons