When they heard I would be moving to Moncton, multiple people asked me whether I would be getting a car. Apparently, the public transit is not very good here, and you really need a car to get around.
I, being stubborn, said no. For more on why I take public transit, read this blog post.
However, I was curious what the transit system would be like, especially given that I’d been spoiled the previous few years living in Toronto (10 minutes or better service on many bus routes! speedy subways! an extensive bus and streetcar network!).
Here are my impressions so far of Codiac Transpo, the transit service in Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview.
I should note that I’ve mainly been taking transit for recreation and errands; I specifically chose an apartment near downtown where I could walk to work and most other places I need to go on a regular basis. Others may have a different experience if they commute regularly on Codiac Transpo or live in a different part of the city.
My impressions of Codiac Transpo
Here are my impressions so far of Codiac Transpo. Overall, I haven’t found the service to be as bad as people say, though it’s certainly an adjustment coming from a bigger city.
Routes
There are 19 routes, including two routes called the Red Line and Green Line that run relatively frequently. There seems to be better coverage in central Moncton.
Some of the routes follow a straight line back and forth, while others do a loop. There have been a few times when I’ve thought, “Why can’t the bus just go from A to B?” instead of do a big loop, though I also don’t have a very good sense of the geography yet.
Frequency
Buses run less frequently than in a bigger city, which means that you need to plan your day more around the bus schedule. Though some routes run every 15 or 20 minutes, others run every 30 minutes, once an hour or even less often (particularly on weekends). In general, schedules are reduced on weekends, so good luck catching a bus on a Sunday evening!
Reliability
I had heard that the buses are not very reliable. In my (limited) experience, buses tend to arrive at the stop within five to 10 minutes of when they are supposed to. This means that you should be sure to arrive at your stop in plenty of time!
Bus stops
Speaking of bus stops … Bus stops do not normally have a dedicated pole, let alone bus shelter. Instead, the bus symbol will be placed on the same sign as something else, such as a no parking sign, along with a bus stop number and (if you’re lucky) a sticker telling you which route stops there.
I’m sure you get used to this eventually, but in the meantime, there can be a certain amount of searching to find the bus stop!
On-board experience
The drivers are friendly and helpful. Unlike in Toronto, people actually talk to each other on the bus! And, as in other smaller cities, passengers often thank the driver as they get off the bus.
Stop announcements
Buses have automated announcements in English and French of upcoming stops, as well as a screen with this information in written form. These announcements are helpful for people who are new to the city, as well as those with visual impairments.
I’ve found that the names of the stops on the announcements aren’t always the same as on Google Maps, so it can be helpful to note down the cross street for your stop!
How to take Codiac Transpo
If this is your first time taking Codiac Transpo, here are a few pointers!
Fares
There are a few different options for paying for the bus. If you pay in cash, the fare is currently $3 (exact change only). You can also get a day pass, a 30-day pass, or a 10-ride or 20-ride pass. As an occasional transit rider, I find the 20-ride pass helpful since it doesn’t expire, you don’t need to carry around exact change, and there are savings compared to paying with cash.
Tickets and passes are available at these locations. There are discounts available for a few different groups, including children, students and seniors. You can also use the HotSpot app to buy bus tickets and passes. Learn more about the different fare options here.
When it comes to actually paying your fare, there is a helpful video on how to use the farebox here. You can request a transfer using the screen, which will be valid for 90 minutes.
Route planning
You can use the Codiac Transpo app or visit https://app.codiactranspo.ca/ to plan a trip, find out upcoming bus times, learn about detours and more. There is also a feature where you can see the bus route on a map, including an icon showing the bus’s current location (helpful for us worrywarts who want to make sure the bus is going in the right direction!).
I’ve also been using Google Maps to plan trips, so if you have any insights on which tool is more accurate for trip planning, let me know!
Accessibility
Though this isn’t something I specifically have experience with, Codiac Transpo buses have several accessibility features, including designated priority seats at the front of the bus, several wheelchair-accessible routes and the audiovisual stop announcements that I mentioned. Learn more about accessibility on Codiac Transpo here.
Reviewing Codiac Transpo
Overall, I would say that Codiac Transpo is functional and friendly! It may not have all the bells and whistles of a transit system in a larger city, and buses do run less frequently. However, they get me where I need to go approximately when I expected to get there, and that’s the main thing!
I want to know: Have you taken Codiac Transpo? What has your experience been?
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