2010 budget - Société de transport de Laval leads the way in Canada!

LAVAL, QC, Dec. 10 /CNW Telbec/ - The Société de transport de Laval (STL) tabled its 2010 budget today as well as its three-year capital expenditure program.

Forecasted revenues are up 7.4% over the previous year, to $100.6 million . Over half of this amount comes from Ville de Laval's contribution, which has increased 4.9%, to reach $53.6 million .

Expenses are up 5.6%, mainly due to the constant improvement in service, which has an impact on remuneration, fuel, maintenance and repairs of vehicles.

STL Synchro

In 2009, the STL recorded an on-time performance rate surpassing 90%-never seen in Québec! In 2010, it is once again aiming at excellence, by launching STL Synchro, a series of information devices in real time, indicating when the next buses will arrive.

Starting in January, electronic display units will be installed at 80 of the busiest stops and will indicate in how many minutes the next buses will arrive. Messages of interest will also be posted there, to explain a delay or a detour notice, for example.

The information, which will be updated twice every minute, will come from the control centre, which knows-at all times-the exact location of the 235 vehicles in the fleet, now equipped with GPS.

No other transit corporation in Canada has installed so many of this type of display unit. Only Toronto will surpass Laval, but not before the end of 2010!

The same information will be available on the STL's website and through the Chronobus system, via text messaging, on a smart phone. Before even leaving home, transit users will be able to know exactly at what time their bus will arrive at the nearest stop!

The STL is truly establishing itself in 2010 as a Canadian leader in providing information to its riders by means of state-of-the art technology!

Also on buses

During the spring, all buses will be equipped with visual display and sound devices that will announce the name of the next stop. In carrying out this project, the STL used the clear voices of youngsters from the Chorale de Laval.

Other large-scale projects

Summer 2010 will mark the start of the STL's largest project-the expansion of its garage, which will require an investment of $25 million .

In addition, a study to examine the feasibility of a trolleybus system in Laval will be published in May, and the findings might be a decisive factor in influencing the future!

    
    The STL: facts and figures
    - The STL operates over 20 million runs annually.
    - The overhaul of the bus network, made necessary by the extension of the
      metro to Laval, gave rise to a 28% increase in service, faster trips
      and more direct bus routes.
    - The frequency of buses outside rush hours, on evenings and weekends,
      has doubled on 12 lines since August 2009.
    - The fare policy is particularly designed to encourage families to use
      public transit: All adults paying their fare on weekends and holidays
      may be accompanied, free of charge, by up to five children age 11 and
      under. This policy also applies to every day in the summer, July 1 -
      Labour Day. In addition, the STL's $1 fares on summer smog days are a
      first in Québec.
    - The STL is carrying out a feasibility study for a trolleybus network
      powered by electrical energy.
    - It is financing Éco Mobile à Laval, a major operation of Vélo Québec
      and aimed at promoting alternate solutions to car use.
    - It is also partnering with the Association québécoise de lutte contre
      la pollution atmosphérique, Communauto and The Carpooling Network to
      promote sustainable transportation in Laval.
    - All vehicles on its fleet use biodiesel B5, a fuel that comes from
      recycled oil that isn't made of corn.
    - By spring 2010, STL Synchro will be available on buses and via text
      messaging.
    

For further information: Marie-Céline Bourgault, Director, Communications & Marketing, Société de transport de Laval, [phone], [email protected]