Get a little XTRA with the STL this summer!

LAVAL, May 22, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The Société de transport de Laval (STL) is launching its new XTRA program just in time for summer. This new fare is designed for young people entitled to reduced fares while travelling with the STL: students under 18 years of age on October 31 of the current school year and children aged 6 to 11. Valid throughout the months of July and August, the new fare will be available at a cost of $59.50 for two months rather than $52 per month. A savings of $44.50.

The new fare is a part of the STL's policy that aims to encourage the use of public transportation in Laval. "This new fare provides the people of Laval a more flexible and affordable way to travel." says President of the STL's Board of Directors, Mr. David De Cotis.

"The XTRA fare is just one of the many fare incentives such as the family fare, $1 fares on smog days and our new Horizon 65+ fare. It's an extraordinary value and no other transportation company is this generous."

Guy Picard, General Manager of the STL adds: "Our goal with XTRA is to encourage young people who finish school in June to use public transit to get around this summer. We want to encourage new travel habits and we want the bus to be part of the options they consider later on in life just as much as owning a car. Our service is reliable, efficient and punctual. When you combine the bus and cycling, we feel that we have put everything in place to encourage young people to travel differently. "

The introduction of this new fare benefits young people and their parents. It's also a new means taken by the STL to contribute to a 50% reduction in Greenhouse gases produced by transportation in Laval by 2031.

Young Lavallers are eligible for the XTRA fare from June 20 to July 19 at any of the STL's 50 points of sale.

The STL in Facts and Figures

• The STL makes over 20 million trips annually.
• The STL has launched the STL Synchro system to informs transit users, in real-time, about bus schedules and routes.
• Our fare policy is designed to encourage families to use public transit: an adult paying a regular fare on weekends and holidays may be accompanied by up to five children of 11 years of age or under at no extra charge. This policy also applies to summer day fares from July 1 to Labour Day. Our new $1 fare on smog alert days over the summer is a first in Québec.
• The STL has also teamed up with the Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique, and Communauto.
• The STL is now posting news and announcing service notices on its Facebook and Twitter accounts.
• The STL offers transit users the opportunity to receive notices about their favourite bus routes and find out what's new at the STL by signing up for My STL.
• The STL has increased its on-time performance to nearly 90% since the introduction of its Vehicle Scheduling Control System in 2009.
• The STL has recently received a number of awards and distinctions including the Grand Prix for excellence in public transit from the AQTR in 2010 ranking it as an outstanding corporation.
• In 2011, the STL received the Communication Grand Public award from the AQTR for its Smog Alert program.
• In May 2012, the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) presented the STL with its Corporate Leadership Award in the Innovation category for its CLIC project: carpooling with electric vehicles.
• In May 2013, the AQTr awarded the STL their Coup de cœur du jury d'honneur award for two projects: Operational support and user information system for paratransit (SAEIV) and CLIC the electric carpooling project launched in conjunction with the AMT.
• In June 2013, the CUTA awarded the STL with two Corporate Leadership Awards: one in the Innovation category for its Operational support and user information system for paratransit (SAEIV) and other in the Marketing and Communications category for the Let's Develop Together contest.
• In May 2012, the STL launched the new STL Sustainable Mobility Solution service. This program is designed for companies and organizations concerned about finding ways to more efficiently manage commuting for their employees.
• In November 2012, the STL signed the International Association of Public Transport's UITP Charter on Sustainable Development.
• In March 2013, the STL became the first public transit corporation in Québec to be certified as a Healthy Enterprise.
• In November 2013, the STL received a special mention from the Institut de l'administration publique du Québec,  in the e-Government category (Gouvernement en ligne) for its real time operational support and user information system for paratransit (OSIS).

SOURCE: Société de transport de Laval

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