Back to SearchWhitby, Ontario – Members of the Transit Executive Committee (TEC) met virtually on October 6, 2021 to discuss various Durham Region Transit (DRT) initiatives and updates. Details and highlights include:
- Fall service enhancements: While service increases were implemented for September, increasing ridership in September required DRT to implement further service enhancements that came into effect on October 4, 2021. This includes new and revised routes, including in Pickering, Oshawa and Courtice, as well as adjusted On Demand services.
- Y10: Based on customer feedback–and to better support families unable to purchase the September Y10 pass–the Y10 incentive for first-time purchasers is extended to October 2021. The Y10 monthly pass provides youth, ages 13 to 19, with unlimited DRT travel during the 2021/2022 academic year at a lower cost. The pass must be purchased by October 17 to be able to take advantage of the monthly $40 savings, which will be in place for the remainder of the school year.
- Demand Responsive Transit study: TEC received a report on findings and recommendations based on the Demand Responsive Transit study. DRT will amalgamate Specialized Services and On Demand into a unified Demand Responsive service; one that will provide all customers with a more spontaneous, equitable, reliable and customer-focused travel experience. The service will leverage a single fleet and common technology platform to support an efficient, accessible and flexible service. The transition is expected to be achieved by 2023.
- Social equity in transit planning: DRT continues to identify and remove social equity barriers during the design planning of transit services in Durham Region. DRT’s Social Equity Guidelines will enhance residents’ access to education, employment, shopping and leisure travel, mitigating barriers, and achieving equitable access to the transportation and transit network across the Region.
Quotes
“With Durham Region’s growing communities and diverse populations, it is important that we provide residents with equitable access to reliable public transit, and that all needs are considered in the planning and design of our transit network.”
- John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer
“I’m pleased to see that ridership is starting to return and that the service enhancements we implemented in September, including 24-hour access to transit, are supporting residents to travel to key destinations across the Region.”
- Shaun Collier, Mayor of Ajax and Chair of the Transit Executive Committee
“By leveraging the opportunities available to residents through innovative demand responsive technology platforms and amalgamating our two existing demand response services, we look forward to providing residents with an equitable, reliable and customer-focused service that’s available when customers want to travel.”
- Bill Holmes, General Manager of Durham Region Transit
– 30 –
For more information, please contact Corporate Communications.
Subscribe