Smog Alert: an assessment of summer 2013 - Nearly 60,000 people made the smart environmental choice and took the bus!

LAVAL, QC, Sept. 18, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Between July 1st and Labour Day weekend, nearly 60,000 people took advantage of the $1 fare offered on two occasions this summer by the Société de transport de Laval as a part of its Operation Smog Alert.

On June 27th, following an announcement by Environment Canada that rates air quality on a daily basis according to specific parameters, the STL launched its first Smog Alert for the summer of 2013 and 3,737 additional trips were made by bus - an increase of nearly 5.52% over the average number of trips for this time of the year. The first day that air quality was deemed poor, 13,016 passengers took advantage of the $1 fare.

Just a few short days later on July 2nd, an alert was made over three consecutive days. Over this three day period, 14,568 additional trips were recorded which represents a record increase of 9.37% over the average number of trips.

In 2013, 18,305 people contributed their share by choosing public transit, and more importantly, they contributed to improving air quality.

Guy Picard, Director General of the STL, was very impressed with the result: "The number of people who take advantage of our discount increases significantly every year. The people of Laval are increasingly aware of how important it is to change their habits when it comes to commuting. On smog days, and even on an everyday basis, we are seeing increased ridership and growth is increasing at a steady pace. "

We estimate that the special $1 fare meant a reduction of 1,500 cars per day on the road in Laval.

The STL is the only public transit system in Quebec to have implemented a reduced fare initiative. We are trendsetters in Quebec when it comes to implementing measures that improve air quality.

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 1st 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 ACTU 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]