Durham Region Transit announces additional service changes beginning June 8

WHITBY, ON – On Monday, June 8, Durham Region Transit (DRT) will be implementing additional service changes to reflect expected ridership levels and continue supporting the physical distancing directives from the Durham Region Health Department and provincial and federal governments. These modifications will be in effect until further notice.

The changes will more closely match capacity to expected ridership levels. As the economy reopens, modest ridership increases are expected over the summer. Ridership has been consistent at approximately 25 per cent of budgeted levels (about 10,000 to 11,000 average weekday boardings) since mid-March. While ridership continues to be significant on the frequent transit network and some of the local routes, several routes have been consistently underused and experience very low ridership. There are no service changes to Specialized Services or On Demand.

Most routes will operate on a Sunday schedule, with the following enhancements:

• Additional weekday trips or increased service on routes 101, 112, 120, 216, 217, 223, 302, 305, 308, 401, 402, 403, 405, 410, PULSE 900 Highway 2, 910, 915, 916 and 950.
• Additional weekend trips on routes 401, 402 and PULSE 900 Highway 2 and 915.

A small number of routes (11) will be temporarily suspended due to low ridership.

* Routes with additional weekday trips added to or higher levels of service than Sunday schedule.
** Routes with additional weekday and weekend trips added to or higher levels of service than Sunday schedule.

“As the economy reopens, Durham Region Transit remains committed to providing safe, reliable, sustainable public transit,” says Bill Holmes, General Manager. “The June 8 service change will ensure we are providing the appropriate capacity for the ridership levels we’ll experience over the summer, and will continue to ensure transit is available to those who need it for essential purposes, like going to work. These temporary changes will ensure DRT is well-positioned to scale-up service when the economy further strengthens, and our ridership begins the return to pre-pandemic levels.”

Further to the recommendation on May 20 from the Province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, all patrons of Ontario transit agencies are encouraged to wear a face covering at all times during their travels, particularly in situations where physical distancing is not possible.

DRT currently has a maximum bus load capacity protocol in place to facilitate physical distancing measures onboard; as an added preventative measure, to help ensure the safety of fellow passengers, and instil trust and confidence for our customers, we encourage you to keep a face covering or mask with you when taking public transit.
To ensure the continued safety of our operators by respecting physical distancing directives, no fares will be collected until further notice.

More information about the operational modifications currently in place to support the COVID-19 response, including updated Individual Route Maps for the June 8 service change, visit durhamregiontransit.com/COVID-19 or contact Customer Service seven days a week, via phone (1-866-247-0055) or online (using the Customer Comment form).

Office of the Premier release from May 20, 2020:
https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/05/as-ontario-reopens-people-urged-to-continue-following-basic-public-health-measures.html?utm_source=ondemand&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=p

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Media inquiries:
DURHAM REGION TRANSIT COMMISSION
Shelley Pollock – Marketing and Communications
905-668-7711 ext. 3701 or shelley.pollock@durham.ca

If this information is required in an accessible format, please call 1-866-247-0055.

Attachments

• News release_DRT June 8 service modifications_FINAL