NEWS RELEASE
REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF YORK
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York Regional Council received an update March 21 on the York Region Transit 2018 System Performance highlighting its success in providing safe, accessible transit across all nine cities and towns.
“Well-planned transit helps shape and connect communities and this is why we are dedicated to providing efficient and reliable transit,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “This commitment is evident by the more than 22 million trips taken by passengers last year alone.”
Enhancements across York Region Transit (YRT) in 2018 to improve the customer experience include:- Installing on-bus LCD displays with real-time, next stops and route connection information
- Launching Live Chat option on yrt.ca, which allows travellers to connect with staff directly to have questions answered
- Launching a Mobility Plus web-based booking app and introduced same-day service to all travellers
- Increasing on-demand service by more than 14% from 2017
YRT monitors and modifies services to be more efficient, adjusting service levels to meet traveller demand and to meet the changing customer and operational needs, such as on-demand service in rural areas.
“Residents want to travel across the region easily and efficiently,” said King Township Mayor Steve Pellegrini, Chair of the Region’s Transportation Services. “Continuing to build our transit network and enhancing service to meet the needs of residents now and for the future of our growing communities are some of the ways we are improving how people move throughout the Region.”
Additional initiatives planned for 2019 include:
- Improving frequency on the most heavily travelled corridors of the Region
- Working with transit agency partners to find a fare and service integration solution and support inter-regional transit travel
- Providing services to help reduce the number of single occupant vehicles on the road, especially during rush hour
- Continuing to invest in facilities to support future transit growth
YRT’s Family of Services includes conventional YRT, Viva bus rapid transit, Community Bus, On-Demand and Mobility Plus services. YRT’s annual revenue ridership is 22.2 million. Another 3.4 million riders are using the TTC Line 1 Subway plus 10.4 million GO Transit riders in York Region. This represents 36 million public transit trips connecting residents to where they want to go.
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