To meet expectations - Bus frequency will be increased in Laval

LAVAL, QC, Sept. 17 /CNW Telbec/ - Transit users demanded it. And their pleas didn't fall on deaf ears. Starting this fall, the Société de transport de Laval (STL) is increasing the frequency of its buses, which will therefore be annually covering 1 million kilometres more! One million kilometres is 25 times around the world!

The initiative represents 1,100 additional trips per week outside rush hours and weekends. "It's the biggest increase in frequency on the STL's network," remarked Pierre Giard , the STL's General Manager.

Twelve bus lines, among the key routes, will benefit from this increase: the 26, 39, 40, 42, 46, 50, 56, 66, 70, 76, 144 and 151. The frequency of these routes will double during off-peak hours.

To find out the schedules, transit users are encouraged to visit www.stl.laval.qc.ca, which has just been given a new look and has had its contents optimized as well.

At the same time, visitors to the website will be eligible for the drawing of:

    
    - one of the 4 packages for 4 people to SkyVenture, the only indoor,
      recirculated-air, free-fall simulator in Canada; or
    - one of the 2 TREK 7000 bicycles, compliments of La Cordée.
    

Contest entrants may increase their chances of winning by recruiting others to enter the contest as well!

The STL is constantly improving the quality of its service, for faster, more direct traveling.

The STL: Facts and Figures

    
    - The STL operates nearly 20 million runs annually.
    - The overhaul of the bus network, made necessary by the launch of the
      metro, gave rise to a 28% increase in service, faster trips and more
      direct bus routes.
    - The frequency of buses outside rush hours, evenings and weekends will
      double between now and 2011.
    - 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 applies every day in the summer, July 1 - Labour
      Day. In addition, its $1 fares on summer smog days are a first in
      Québec.
    - The STL is carrying out a feasibility study for a trolleybus network
      powered by electrical energy.
    - It is financing Éco Mobile à Laval, a major operation of Vélo Québec
      and aimed at promoting alternate solutions to car use.
    - 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, a fuel that comes from
      recycled oil that isn't made of corn.
    - By March 2010, real-time announcements will be displayed on buses, at
      stops and via text messaging.
    

For further information: Marie-Céline Bourgault, Director, Communications and Marketing, Société de transport de Laval, [phone], [email protected]