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More people jumping on the bus
DRT registers 10.5 per cent ridership increase
Jun 9, 2006
DURHAM -- Bus ridership in Durham Region jumped by more than 185,000 trips in the first quarter of 2006 over the same period last year.
In the first quarter of 2005, about 1.76 million trips were taken on municipally-operated public transit services. In the first quarter of this year, under the banner of Durham Region Transit, the number jumped to almost 1.95 million. Three municipal transit systems merged into a regional service on Jan. 1.
"We've very happy with our new service out there," said DRT general manager Ted Galinis. "We're very happy with our new service out there.
"We had a fare increase and that usually means a three-to-six-per cent decrease, but we gained 10.5 per cent. So, we're very pleased."
Most of the increase came with DRT East, covering Oshawa and Clarington, and Mr. Galinis says it's due to more students now attending the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT).
In addition to more university students using the service, Mr. Galinis also points to the "co-fare agreement" between DRT and GO Transit.
Under the agreement, passengers pay only one fare and can take a bus anywhere in the region, moving between Durham and GO buses.
"It's manna from heaven" for some passengers, Mr. Galinis states.
One problem DRT has right now is making more people aware of the co-fare agreement.
"A lot of people, despite our best efforts," don't know it's available, he says.
Also, DRT Specialized Services had an overall 10-per cent increase in accessible passenger ridership, which Mr. Galinis says is related to service being available in Clarington and the northern municipalities.
The growth, he adds, is "very positive."
Northern communities are getting more specialized service and about 1,100 people used it in the first quarter. "They're using it and it's growing."
The future looks bright for DRT, he states.
"Further increases are expected in the 2006 and 2007 school year as UOIT reaches its full complement with fourth-year student enrolment," Mr. Galinis says.
More people jumping on the bus
DRT registers 10.5 per cent ridership increase
Jun 9, 2006
DURHAM -- Bus ridership in Durham Region jumped by more than 185,000 trips in the first quarter of 2006 over the same period last year.
In the first quarter of 2005, about 1.76 million trips were taken on municipally-operated public transit services. In the first quarter of this year, under the banner of Durham Region Transit, the number jumped to almost 1.95 million. Three municipal transit systems merged into a regional service on Jan. 1.
"We've very happy with our new service out there," said DRT general manager Ted Galinis. "We're very happy with our new service out there.
"We had a fare increase and that usually means a three-to-six-per cent decrease, but we gained 10.5 per cent. So, we're very pleased."
Most of the increase came with DRT East, covering Oshawa and Clarington, and Mr. Galinis says it's due to more students now attending the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT).
In addition to more university students using the service, Mr. Galinis also points to the "co-fare agreement" between DRT and GO Transit.
Under the agreement, passengers pay only one fare and can take a bus anywhere in the region, moving between Durham and GO buses.
"It's manna from heaven" for some passengers, Mr. Galinis states.
One problem DRT has right now is making more people aware of the co-fare agreement.
"A lot of people, despite our best efforts," don't know it's available, he says.
Also, DRT Specialized Services had an overall 10-per cent increase in accessible passenger ridership, which Mr. Galinis says is related to service being available in Clarington and the northern municipalities.
The growth, he adds, is "very positive."
Northern communities are getting more specialized service and about 1,100 people used it in the first quarter. "They're using it and it's growing."
The future looks bright for DRT, he states.
"Further increases are expected in the 2006 and 2007 school year as UOIT reaches its full complement with fourth-year student enrolment," Mr. Galinis says.