How Milton is using microtransit to build transit-friendly habits

Milton, Ontario

Rethinking fixed-route transit in Milton’s industrial zones

In September 2021, the Town of Milton initiated a bold transformation in public transit strategy by introducing microtransit services in its industrial areas. The COVID-19 pandemic further underscored the need for flexible solutions.

Recognizing these limitations, Milton redefined public transit not as a one-size-fits-all model, but as a “family of services” encompassing both fixed routes and on-demand options under a unified brand and fare system, commingled for both microtransit and paratransit riders. Spare was awarded the contract to pilot on-demand transit, replacing under performing fixed routes and evaluating performance with data-driven metrics. What no one expected? Commingled microtransit quickly became a powerful tool for bringing fixed-route service back where it made sense. 

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Challenge: Low ridership and inefficient service in growing areas

• Underperforming fixed routes resulted in inefficient use of financial resources
• Milton’s rapid growth called for creative transit solutions where traditional fixed route could not serve due to disconnected roadways per construction
• Areas like the 401 Industrial Zone and the residential Boyne Zone had specific needs that were not being met with conventional transit
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Solution: Using microtransit to fill gaps and test future fixed routes

The primary objective was clear: deploy microtransit to serve areas where traditional fixed routes were inefficient or infeasible, with the flexibility to revert back to fixed-route service if demand justified it. The initiative focused on:

• Addressing last-mile connectivity issues in employment and educational hubs.
  
• Improving service during off-peak hours or areas with low density.
  
• Testing the viability of on-demand as a scalable and cost-effective model.
  
• Ensuring accessibility and rider satisfaction through internal vehicle ownership and service delivery, particularly for specialized transit users.
  

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When microtransit helped lay the foundation for fixed-route revival

A major turning point came when three new post-secondary satellite campuses were set to open in Milton’s industrial area. The anticipated influx of student riders prompted a reevaluation of the transit mode. With projected ridership figures in hand, Milton proactively transitioned to fixed-route service in January 2024, followed by additional adjustments in April and September.

This shift was not a rejection of microtransit but rather a calculated decision based on:

• Forecasted ridership surges due to the satellite campus move.
  
• Recognition that high-volume service areas could be better served with fixed-route frequency.
  
• Observed data comparing microtransit and fixed-route performance during the pandemic.
  

Blending fixed-route and microtransit to meet rider needs

Milton’s approach shows how on-demand and fixed-route services can work side by side—even in the same corridors. The Milton GO Station, for instance, acts as a multimodal hub where passengers transfer easily between micro and fixed services.

This hybrid model acknowledges that:

• Microtransit excels in newer or less connected residential areas (e.g., neighborhoods in the southern core) and industrial parks where fixed-route infrastructure is premature or unsuitable.
  
• Fixed routes provide ease of use for riders who may struggle with app-based solutions.
  
• On-demand transit offers rapid deployment (3–4 weeks vs. 4–6 months for fixed routes), making it ideal for immediate service needs in developing neighborhoods like the SE Boyne area.
  

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Results: More efficient service, better access, and satisfied riders

Milton’s approach reflects a modern transit mindset: microtransit isn’t a silver bullet—it’s a flexible tool in a broader mobility strategy. 

• Induced demand is real: Providing more specialized or tailored service often results in higher ridership.
  
• Microtransit fuels rapid innovation: Especially effective in residential areas where road infrastructure is still evolving.
  
• Fixed routes maintain importance: Particularly in politically sensitive or high-ridership corridors, where visibility and consistency matter.
  
• Empowering riders through accessibility: Milton improved its specialized transit by acquiring accessible vehicles and integrating microtransit, leading to greater equity and inclusion.
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What’s next: Expanding Milton’s family of services with data-driven planning

Milton is continuing to refine its “family of services” model—where both microtransit and fixed routes play a key role.Current plans involve:

• Maintaining microtransit in the 401 industrial park while expanding fixed routes to meet growing demand.
  
• Introducing fixed-route service in portions of the Boyne area and exploring new microtransit zones in developing residential neighborhoods.
  
• Using data and rider feedback to dynamically balance the transit mix.
  

Milton’s journey exemplifies how agility, data, and community responsiveness can shape smarter transit systems that evolve with urban growth and changing mobility patterns.

See how other agencies are using microtransit to solve real challenges.
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