RTC Flexibus — On-Demand Public Transit Mobile App

Duration: 7 Weeks

Client: Régie de transportation de Québec (RTC)

Category: eCommerce

Location: CANADA

Here to Know About This Project

RTC Flexibus is an on-demand transportation service in the Québec City region that allows riders to book shared micro-transit trips via the mobile app. The client needed a modern iOS application to give passengers real-time booking capabilities, route flexibility, and an experience aligned with contemporary mobile standards. The goal was to enable more efficient transit service in underserved zones and integrate seamlessly with RTC’s broader network. Apple

The Challenge of the Project

Key challenges included:

Designing an intuitive booking flow that supports multiple pickup-zones, real-time tracking, and shared-ride logic (up to 7 passengers per vehicle). Apple
Ensuring accessibility compliance: app must serve users with wheelchairs or scooters and maintain consistent experience across varying physical-mobility needs. Apple
Integrating with RTC’s existing fare-system (single-ride cost structure, OPUS/Occasionelle card, etc.) while preserving performance, reliability and offline-considerations (in areas with weaker connectivity).
Handling fluctuations in demand in different zones while delivering real-time vehicle tracking, driver ETA notifications, and accurate map interactions.

Our Solution & Approach

We initiated the project with user-journey workshops focusing on pickup, ride experience and drop-off stages. Based on these insights we created a mobile-first experience emphasizing clarity, speed and accessibility.

On the technical side:

- We developed the app for iOS (iOS 15+), built a custom booking engine with real-time data integration, mapping and push-notification support for ETA alerts. Apple
- A location-aware module was implemented for dynamic service zones (including Notre-Dame-des-Laurentides, Loretteville, Wendake). Apple
- Accessibility features were embedded (support for wheelchairs/scooters, clear UI flows, high-contrast elements) to ensure compliance and inclusivity.
- Performance optimisation included map-cache strategies, offline fallback for weak-signal areas and streamlined front-end to minimise load times on mobile networks.
- Backend integration tied into RTC’s fare-system to allow bookings at the cost of a single ride, and synchronized with existing cards (OPUS/Occasionelle) and the Nomade app ecosystem. Apple

Key Deliverables & Implementations

Result & Impact

The launch of the RTC Flexibus app delivered a modern, inclusive, and efficient mobile transit experience in the Québec City region. Riders gained a straightforward way to book on-demand trips, owners of mobility-assistance devices received equitable access, and the client attained a digital product aligned with fast-moving mobile expectations. Internally, the service-zones can now be managed more flexibly and service dispatch is better informed via real-time tracking and data capture.