Highlights from the December 2023 Transit Executive Committee Meeting

Whitby, Ontario – On December 6, members of the Durham Region Transit Executive Committee (TEC) met to discuss various Durham Region Transit (DRT) initiatives and updates. Details and highlights include:

• Year-end numbers for 2023: Each year, DRT collects and compiles ridership data to adjust for the coming year and reflect on milestones in the past year. Below are some of the numbers collected throughout 2023:
  • 425,065 scheduled service hours and 57,420 On Demand hours in 2023.
  • 27 DRT operators achieved safe driver milestones ranging from five to 30 years without a preventable collision.
  • Operators delivered 120,862 Specialized Service trips and 83,974 On Demand trips throughout the year.
  • Customer service team responded to over 181,000 calls.

Visit DurhamRegionTransit.com for more year-end numbers.

• Holiday service changes: DRT has modified its service levels as of December 4, 2023. Updated schedules are available at DurhamRegionTransit.com, including service from December 25 to January 1, 2024. DRT services will be fare-free on December 31, 2023 (New Year’s Eve), from 7 p.m. until 4 a.m. on January 1, 2023.
• January 2, 2024, Service Change: Beginning January 2, 2024, DRT is implementing service updates. These updates are based on data—both seasonal patterns and ridership information; designed to help ensure on-time performance on the network’s busiest routes. For more information on the updated routes, visit DurhamRegionTransit.com.
• PRESTO in Google Wallet launch: DRT customers can now pay for transit with PRESTO in Google Wallet by tapping their Android smartphone or smartwatch on a fare payment device. PRESTO in Google Wallet enables customers to make changes (i.e., load funds, pay for transit) and see them reflected instantly on the balance and transaction history in their PRESTO account. To learn more, visit, prestocard.ca.

Quotes

"DRT is always moving forward, and the work accomplished in 2023 was a true example of resilience. Congratulations to DRT on another incredible year, and we look forward to another year of advancing the Region’s progressive transit system.”

-       John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer

“The implementation of PRESTO’s Google Wallet option for DRT customers is a welcome transition to a modern, convenient and seamless fare payment  system for transit riders across the region.”

-      Marilyn Crawford, Deputy Mayor for the Town of Ajax, and Chair of the Transit Executive Committee for Durham Regional Council

"As 2023 comes to an end, DRT thanks customers, staff and partners for making this year a success. DRT staff were again exceptional in working through unprecedented challenges, and we truly appreciate the support and understanding of customers while DRT managed through significant adversities.”

-       Bill Holmes, General Manager of Durham Region Transit

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For more information, please contact Corporate Communications.