News

Durham Region Transit: safety, reliability and sustainability during COVID-19

WHITBY, ON – On Wednesday, June 3, members of the Transit Executive Committee (TEC) met virtually and at Regional Headquarters for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in mid-March. The meeting included a strong focus on the implications of the pandemic on Durham Region Transit (DRT), as follows:

• Ridership: While ridership was exceeding expectations in the first ten weeks of 2020, due to the sudden 70 per cent decrease in ridership due to COVID-19, a 20 per cent reduction in...

Durham Region Transit’s 2020 business plan and budget passed by Regional Council

WHITBY, ON – Last week, Regional Council passed Durham Region Transit’s (DRT) 2020 business plan and budget. This year’s plan once again allows DRT to build on improvements from the last few years. Highlights include:

• Improving service: more than 13,000 hours of net additional service over a 12-month period spanning 2020-2021, including the introduction of PULSE Simcoe 901.
• Improving access: new articulated buses on PULSE 900 Highway 2 starting in September, more access to destinations beyond...

Transit Executive Committee: ridership updates

WHITBY, ON – Yesterday afternoon, the Durham Region Transit Executive Committee received ridership updates for various Durham Region Transit (DRT) services offered across the Region.

DRT fare incentives and service expansion contributed to significant ridership growth:

• Year to date ridership is up 1.8 per cent, with July ridership seeing a strong increase of 9.3 per cent above 2018.
• The Kids ride free incentive, a pilot program launched May 1 and is still ongoing, contributed to strong growth in...

Durham Region to see first articulated buses in 2021

WHITBY, ON – As announced at today’s Transit Executive Committee (TEC) meeting, Durham Region Transit (DRT) is purchasing six articulated Nova buses for the PULSE 900 Highway 2 route.

“These new buses provide an efficient, cost-effective way to increase capacity along our PULSE Highway 2 route, the backbone of our frequent network,” says Vincent Patterson, General Manager.  “One in four DRT passengers use our PULSE service every day; the articulated buses will provide a better customer experience,...

Government funding support for Durham Region Transit

WHITBY, ON – Regional Chair John Henry, several Regional Councillors and Durham MPPs were at Regional Headquarters on Friday, Jan. 18 to celebrate the recently announced provincial gas tax funding for Durham Region Transit (DRT). For 2019, DRT will be receiving $8,866,900, nearly $200,000 more than for 2018, and plans to increase mobility options with more frequent, flexible and seamless service in all areas of the Region.

“We are delighted to receive increased provincial funding for 2019,” says...