Transit Executive Committee: DRT Business Plan and Budget highlights; Fare and service integration; OPTA EnAbling Change

Whitby, Ontario – Members of the Durham Region Transit Executive Committee (TEC) met virtually on February 2, 2022 to discuss various Durham Region Transit (DRT) initiatives and updates. Details and highlights include:

• 2022 DRT Business Plan and Budget highlights:
  • Service Plan adjustments for this year include the introduction of PULSE 15-minutes service on Taunton (Route 915) on weekends and more frequent service on existing routes including the PULSE 901 Simcoe, 902 King, Route 920 between Harmony Terminal and North Campus Terminal and additional two-way service on Route 302 Baldwin-Brock between Brooklin and North Campus Terminal.
  • Throughout 2021, DRT ridership continued to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a total of 4.4 million rides delivered. Monthly ridership surpassed 2020 totals from April through December.
  • With the transition to contactless fare payment in July of 2020 and implementation of a PRESTO digital U-Pass solution, monthly fare payment by PRESTO increased to more than 80 per cent in 2021 (from less than 40 per cent at the end of 2019).
  • A budget increase of $4.8 million (7.5 per cent increase compared to 2021) will allow DRT to maintain and enhance service levels while ridership and revenues continue recovery to pre-pandemic levels, and advance strategic initiatives to increase ridership, and advance continuous improvement efforts and climate change objectives.
• Fare and service integration: With the aim to enhance the customer experience—and improve cross-boundary ridership to access job opportunities, education, and health services across the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA)—fare and service integration is being explored in consultation with neighbouring transit agencies, Metrolinx, and the Ministry of Transportation (MTO). Currently, DRT continues to offer a fare strategy that provides incentives to loyal customers and offers additional assistance to customers through social services like Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program.
• OPTA EnAbling Change campaign: DRT, in partnership with The Ontario Public Transit Association’s (OPTA) EnAbling Change campaign, is raising public awareness of barriers faced by people with disabilities. Collectively, with other transit networks across Ontario, DRT is proud to be promoting the campaign online and through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #AccessibleTransitMatters.
• WAVE shuttle update: The Whitby Autonomous Vehicle Electric (WAVE) shuttle pilot project team shared an update on the project. Information, including the status of the pilot, was shared publicly following the meeting: DurhamRegionTransit.com/TransitNews.

Quotes

“Reflecting on 2021, it is reassuring to see that residents are turning to transit once again to access different areas of the Region. As we continue to look ahead, we will work with our communities and riders to ensure that they receive reliable and competitive transit services.”

-        John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer

“Durham Region Transit remains committed to connecting our residents to their workplaces, educational institutions, and health-care institutions across the Region. We are proud to continue to enhance our public transit service for residents who continue to choose DRT to meet their transportation needs.”

-        Shaun Collier, Mayor of Ajax and Chair of the Transit Executive Committee

“We look forward to the year ahead as we remain committed to enhancing services, continuing extensive safety and sanitizing activities, and welcoming riders back to public transit. DRT’s e-Mission Zero program will also be important to adopting sustainable technologies that have a positive impact on climate change.”

-        Bill Holmes, General Manager of Durham Region Transit

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For more information, please contact Corporate Communications.