The Rapibus is the Gatineau City version of Ottawa’s Transitway. These are bus-only roads that by-pass a lot of traffic congestion, improving transit times and reliability and thus modal share.

The rapibus road, routes, and branding are all very recent. Comparisons to Ottawa’s 35+ year old transitway show how some things evolve, and how some challenges were addressed differently. Keep in mind the Rapibus is at its initial stages, whereas the Transitway is mature and being converted to rail.

The logo is modern and attractive, note the arrows outline a negative version of the letter R. I really appreciated that the logos, colour scheme, and branding was all consistent, something I know the 2018 Ottawa system will have, but doesn’t have yet. Here is the “old” STO logo:

Much more dynamic is the newer look on regular bus routes:

 

and the more powerful graphics on the Rapibus network vehicles:

 

I thought the “faces and people” theming was excellent, it personalizes the network, and works to obscure the occasional “character” types one encounters on some trips.
The faces and people theme continued inside some of the buildings:

Rapibus vehicles and stations have WiFi connectivity, I don’t recall the Ottawa ones having wifi.

The overhead sign panels heavily promoted the STO and Rapibus brand. I especially liked the tie in to the library, at first my limited french thought we bus riders could get free books:

Why doesn’t OC Transpo partner with the OPL to promote ebooks on the bus? God knows suburban commuters spend enough time to write the bloody book, let alone read one.

I also liked the invitations to the riders to participate in how STO operates:

And the availability of an affordable seven day pass:

 

Even the tap pad at the front of the bus was imaged with Rapibus:

 

 

 

More Rapibus scenes upcoming …