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York Region launches free "Lunch Express" buses
Town of Richmond Hill website
Link
Markham and Richmond Hill Offer
Free Lunch-Time Shuttle Service
Markham, Ontario ~ December 8, 2006~ Employees in the Highway 404 and Highway 7 area can now ride a free of charge noon-time bus service. “The Lunch Express†is a 16-week pilot project aimed at reducing traffic congestion, parking issues and air pollution.
“Traffic congestion is a major concern of our residents,†said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “Offering a free lunch-time shuttle service to local businesses helps reduce traffic and parking hassles. This service will help employees reduce their reliance on having to bring a car to work, especially at this time of year when people frequently go out for holiday celebrations.â€
The bus service, officially launched on December 8, will operate in the Commerce Valley and Beaver Creek areas (area of Highways 7 and 404) from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays. It will allow employees to ride from their offices to restaurants and shops, with buses scheduled to arrive at York Region Transit stops in the area every eight minutes. The anticipated environmental benefit is a reduction of over 10,000 vehicle km travelled and 2,000 kg of carbon dioxide in the short term, and even greater potential benefits in the long term.
"Our business workers have said they want easy access to our restaurants and they do not want traffic congestion to lead to indigestion. The Lunch Express project will encourage people out of their offices, while not having to concern themselves with traffic issues. We hope it will encourage more use of public transit,†said Richmond Hill Councillor David Cohen. He added, “We are pleased to be part of this initiative because it makes working in our business parks more attractive and traffic congestion is a concern to everyone."
The pilot project, which runs until March 23, 2007, is being sponsored by the Town of Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund, and the Town of Richmond Hill, in collaboration with York Region Transit and the Smart Commute 404-7 Transportation Management Association, an initiative of the Markham Board of Trade and Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce working to address traffic congestion. The project’s aim is to build a partnership whereby local businesses and Smart Commute 404-7 can sustain the service once the pilot phase is complete, continually working to take more cars off the road during busy times.
Town of Richmond Hill website
Link
Markham and Richmond Hill Offer
Free Lunch-Time Shuttle Service
Markham, Ontario ~ December 8, 2006~ Employees in the Highway 404 and Highway 7 area can now ride a free of charge noon-time bus service. “The Lunch Express†is a 16-week pilot project aimed at reducing traffic congestion, parking issues and air pollution.
“Traffic congestion is a major concern of our residents,†said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “Offering a free lunch-time shuttle service to local businesses helps reduce traffic and parking hassles. This service will help employees reduce their reliance on having to bring a car to work, especially at this time of year when people frequently go out for holiday celebrations.â€
The bus service, officially launched on December 8, will operate in the Commerce Valley and Beaver Creek areas (area of Highways 7 and 404) from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays. It will allow employees to ride from their offices to restaurants and shops, with buses scheduled to arrive at York Region Transit stops in the area every eight minutes. The anticipated environmental benefit is a reduction of over 10,000 vehicle km travelled and 2,000 kg of carbon dioxide in the short term, and even greater potential benefits in the long term.
"Our business workers have said they want easy access to our restaurants and they do not want traffic congestion to lead to indigestion. The Lunch Express project will encourage people out of their offices, while not having to concern themselves with traffic issues. We hope it will encourage more use of public transit,†said Richmond Hill Councillor David Cohen. He added, “We are pleased to be part of this initiative because it makes working in our business parks more attractive and traffic congestion is a concern to everyone."
The pilot project, which runs until March 23, 2007, is being sponsored by the Town of Markham Environmental Sustainability Fund, and the Town of Richmond Hill, in collaboration with York Region Transit and the Smart Commute 404-7 Transportation Management Association, an initiative of the Markham Board of Trade and Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce working to address traffic congestion. The project’s aim is to build a partnership whereby local businesses and Smart Commute 404-7 can sustain the service once the pilot phase is complete, continually working to take more cars off the road during busy times.