Updates from the Transit Executive Committee

Whitby, Ontario – On December 7, members of the Durham Region Transit Executive Committee (TEC) met to discuss various Durham Region Transit (DRT) initiatives and updates. Details and highlights include:

• New TEC Chair and Vice-Chair: The committee honoured Marilyn Crawford, Regional Councillor of the Town of Ajax as Chair of the Transit Executive Committee; and Walter Schummer, Mayor of the Township of Brock as Vice-Chair.
• Holiday service: With lower demand in service and ridership during the holiday season, DRT has modified its service levels as of December 5, 2022. Updated schedules are available at DurhamRegionTransit.com/DecemberService.
• Service updates: Service updates will begin on January 2, 2023, to enhance service in growth areas and improve reliability across the network. These updates reflect increased travel times on key corridors. Updates will be posted at DurhamRegionTransit.com.
• Hybrid buses: On Monday, October 31, 2022, the first of 10 hybrid buses entered revenue service. This is part of DRT’s E-Mission Zero strategy, a suite of emission-reducing initiatives to introduce a more sustainable network of vehicles, infrastructure and facilities. The hybrid buses will reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 30 per cent compared to conventional diesel buses.
• TAP passes and ridership:The Transit Assistance Program (TAP) has fully replaced the paper ACCESS Pass.TAP provides eligible Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Ontario Works (OW) clients with lower DRT fares and the security benefits of the PRESTO card. In November 2022, the number of TAP passes sold reached pre-pandemic levels. Local ridership has returned strong in the fall of 2022, consistent with the full return of ODSP and OW clients.
• DRT receives provincial and federal funding: On December 7, 2020, the Region of Durham was informed that DRT is eligible to receive up to $3.7 million in funding from the Safe Restart Agreement (SRA) Phase 4 allocations, to address continued COVID-19 pressures sustained from February 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022. Since 2020, the provincial and federal governments have partnered to provide more than two billion dollars to help mitigate financial impacts of the pandemic on municipal transit systems across the province.

Quotes

“DRT and the Region of Durham welcome this essential funding from the provincial and federal governments, as public transit ridership in Durham and across the province continues to rebound from the pandemic. Ensuring that we can maintain and enhance service levels remains crucial to our ridership recovery.” 

-        John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer

“We are excited that DRT continues to explore opportunities to advance electrification of our transit bus fleet. The hybrid electric buses are an example of our commitment and progress towards a zero emission fleet and DRT’s E-Mission Zero strategy.”

-      Marilyn Crawford, Regional Councillor of the Town of Ajax and Chair of the Transit Executive Committee

“We constantly review customer and operator feedback, along with ridership data, to make adjustments that will enhance the quality of transit services available to customers. Looking ahead to 2023, we are committed to enhancing service reliability to provide our customers with more transit options for travel across the Region.”

-        Bill Holmes, General Manager of Durham Region Transit 

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For more information, please contact Corporate Communications.