The first season of CycloBus has ended - The STL's assessment of CycloBus is positive

LAVAL, QC, Nov. 14, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The first season of the CycloBus bike rack system began on May 1 and ended on Thursday, October 31 and the STL has concluded that the project was a complete success.

Installed on the entire fleet of buses, the bike racks can hold up to two bicycles. According to numbers provided by the bus drivers, the racks were used more than 1,300 times over the course of the first season.

Not a single complaint or problem involving the bike racks was reported. The system is also very easy to use and is practical for cyclists who want to cover long distances.

"The installation of the bicycle racks ties in nicely with the STL's goal to help residents of Laval to better manage their mobility and reduce the use of cars by providing access to alternative means of transportation" says Guy Picard, General Manager of the STL. "I am truly proud of the success that this first year of the program has achieved."

The return of the CycloBus

CycloBus will be back next year and the racks will once again be ready to be used according to a schedule set as a part of a ministerial order that forbids the use of bike racks one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset.

As a reminder, there are several dozens of kilometres of bicycle paths in Laval and that bicycles are also welcomed in the first car of the metro which, season permitting, means being able to cover considerable distances without having to resort to the use of a car.

"CycloBus is just one of the many measures adopted by the STL to achieve its goal of a 50% reduction in greenhouse gases produced by the residents of Laval. By promoting active transportation, we are helping to create a living space that is less dependent on cars and that is more respectful of the environment" says Guy Picard. "

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]