END OF SMOG ALERT AT THE STL

LAVAL, QC, Sept. 2 /CNW Telbec/ - The Smog Alert issued since Tuesday, August 31 is now over. According to Environment Canada's data, the air quality is now within acceptable standards. The STL therefore wishes to thank all riders who took the bus, instead of their cars, and who, in so doing, helped improve the air quality. The single-trip fare is consequently back to normal ($2.75).

The results of this Smog Alert will be announced on Tuesday.

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.
• 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.
• The STL has its own page on Facebook, where it announces service notices, and it is also on Twitter.
• The STL offers riders the opportunity to register on MySTL to receive notices on its bus routes that they usually take.
• Since the roll-out, in 2009, of its vehicle scheduling control system, the STL's on-time performance has been on the rise, to over 92%.
• In February 2010, STL President Jean-Jacques Beldié received the Guy-Chartrand award, in the Public Transit Development and Improvement category.

For further information:

Marie-Céline Bourgault
Director, Communications & Marketing
Société de transport de Laval
450 662-5429
[email protected]