In the Name of Respect - A Courtesy Campaign

LAVAL, QC, Nov. 7, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - To raise awareness about courtesy onboard our buses, the Société de transport de Laval (STL) will be rolling out a five month courtesy campaign from November 2013 to March 2014. Under the guiding theme of Travel Respectfully, the STL's campaign aims to encourage some clients to adopt a respectful behaviour therefore making a better commuting environment for everyone.

Five priority themes :
The campaign was developed following discussion groups held to identify problems experienced onboard the STL's buses. Beginning with the premise that "respect encourages more respect", five priority themes will be explored:

• Play fair, pay your fare
• Everyone is entitled to a seat
• Signal your intention to board
• I respect the yellow line of the bus for safety reasons
• I get on the bus at the front and exit at the back
  
  
  

These five illustrations clearly demonstrate the type of behaviour to be encouraged. A new theme will be explored each month. A poster will be on display behind the bus driver on each bus and the campaign will also be carried out on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin) as well as internally. The STL has also sealed an agreement with Zoom média for posters and to distribute postcards in select restaurants throughout Laval.

The STL, taking action

• The STL is responsible for over 20 million trips annually.
• The STL has rolled out the STL Synchro system to keep its clients informed in real time about its schedules and buses.
• The STL's fare policy is geared to encourage families to use public transit: an adult who pays a regular fare during the week or on statutory holidays can be accompanied by up to five children under the age of 12 for free. This policy is also applicable on smog days between July 1^st and Labour Day. The $1 reduced fare on smog days during the summer period is a first in Quebec.
• The STL has partnered with the Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique, Communauto and the Réseau de covoiturage to encourage the use of sustainable transportation in Laval.
• We are using our Facebook and Twitter accounts to share our news and travel notices.
• We created My STL to offer our clients the opportunity to receive updates about their regular bus lines and to find out what's new at the STL.
• Since the launch of our Operational support and user information system in 2009, we have increased our punctuality rate to nearly 90 %.
• The STL has received several awards and distinctions including the AQTr'S Grand prix d'excellence en transport en commun in 2010, which solidified our reputation for excellence.
• In 2011, the STL took the AQTr Communication Grand Public prize for its Smog alert program.
• In May 2012, the STL received the CUTA Prix de leadership des entreprises in the Innovation category for the CLIC carpooling project.
• In May 2013, the AQTr awarded the STL their Coup de cœur du jury d'honneur award for two projects: The Operational support and user information system for paratransit (OSIS) and CLIC the electric carpooling project launched in conjunction with the AMT.
• In June 2013, CUTA honoured the STL with two Corporate Leadership Awards: one in the Innovation category for our Operational support and user information system for paratransit (OSIS) and the other in the Marketing and Communications category for the "Let's Develop Together" contest!
• In May 2012, the STL launched its new STL Sustainable mobility solution for businesses and organizations that are conscious of managing the travels of their employees more efficiently.
• In November 2012, the STL signed the International Union of Public Transport's (IUPT) Charter on Sustainable Development.
• In March 2013, the STL became the first transportation company in Quebec to be a certified "Healthy Enterprise"!
  
  

SOURCE: Société de transport de Laval

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