Overnight, On-Demand Bus Service Pilot Program Ends

A pilot program that offered free late-night, on-demand transit service to get workers to their jobs has ended.

The Owl Link service that made overnight stops in Bensalem Township, Bristol Borough, Bristol Township, Penndel Borough, Langhorne Manor Borough, and Middletown Township ended late last week after a several-months-long run.

“A decision was made to end the pilot,” Andrew Busch, SEPTA’s chief press officer, told LevittownNow.com. “The main thing was the ridership was lower than they hoped.”

There were a few constant users, but most users were not regular riders.

“It was not a viable number for the program,” Busch said.

Some of the frequent riders worked at Estée Lauder in Bristol Township, local Amazon warehouses, and Parx Casino in Bensalem Township.

Busch said a hot job market with constant turnover also weighed on the program.

Riders were able to download a special app to make reservations for a bus as much as one week in advance and no less than 30 minutes before the ride. Riders were also able to book by calling a reservation line.

Busch said there proved to be a technology gap, and the app received little use. Most riders booked trips through the call center.

Riders were taking part in an experiment in what SEPTA calls “micro-transit,” which is designed to adapt to changing public transit and cope with on-demand ride services like Lyft and Uber.

The American Public Transportation Association describes micro-transit “small-scale, on-demand public transit services that that can offer fixed routes and schedules, as well as flexible routes and on-demand scheduling.”

Riders on the Owl Link service were able to use it at no cost, but users had to validate their trips with their SEPTA Key card.

Busch said a review of the program will take place on how to make a service like Owl Link work.

“We do believe this form of micro-transit has a future here at SEPTA,” he said.

The pilot from SEPTA and transit technology company VIA was targeted for Lower Bucks County after area employers that operate three shifts per day reported having trouble getting workers overnight.

Transportation issues are often cited as a major stumbling block for many workers, officials said.

Busch said the program, which was funded by SEPTA and VIA, cost about $18,000 per month.

Local transportation advocacy organization TMA Bucks was pleased with the program.

“While the discontinuation of any transit route or service is unfortunate, such changes are often necessary to ensure that limited resources are being used to their maximum potential,” said TMA Bucks Executive Director Stephen Noll. “I credit SEPTA for its willingness to try something new in response to a need. Even though this particular service has proven unsuccessful, the experience gained and lessons learned here will surely play a role in the development of similar services in other areas as needs arise.”

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