Smog alert at the STL - A conclusive experience!

LAVAL, QC, July 14 /CNW Telbec/ - The Smog Alert operation of the Société de transport de Laval (STL) was set in motion on Monday, July 5, and continued on until Friday, July 9. During those 5 days when the air quality was considered to be poor by Environment Canada, the STL dropped the fares on its network to only $1. In so doing, it recorded a total of 15,564 more transit trips than the estimated number. This is equivalent to a reduction of no less than 27.7 metric tons of greenhouse gases discharged into the atmosphere.

The operation was therefore a real success, as it made it possible to increase ridership by 7.1% throughout the smog alert period. Satisfied with the results, the STL expects that if there are more smog alerts this summer, the number of transit users taking advantage of the discount will considerably increase. In fact, this environmental measure may well be repeated in the coming weeks; however, since it is limited to the summer months, it will come to an end after Labour Day, September 6.

The success of the first smog alert operation in 2010 has given the STL confirmation of the merits of its incentive fare measure. Contributing toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions, by promoting the use of mass transit, is part of the mission of the STL, which is once again proving that it is taking the necessary steps to reach its objectives.

No other Québec carrier promotes an incentive fare policy on smog days in order to improve the quality of the air.

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 routes 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 and Twitter, where it announces
      service notices.
    - The STL offers riders the opportunity to register on MySTL to receive
      notices on the 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]