Following the fare hike from July (see below) and it being back to work or school, Durham Region Transit (DRT) is adding a new service and expanding routes mainly in southern Durham.
Most of the criticism about DRT service is heard from the sprawling rural communities in northern Durham, which are mostly covered by on-demand service (see below).
The new updates are designed to keep pace with growth across Durham, meet increased travel demand after summer, and ensure reliable service as students and customers return to fall routines, said a DRT statement.
The changes are effective September 8 across the DRT network.
New and Expanded Route
Route 423 is being extended to Harmony Road and Nancy Diamond Boulevard, bringing transit service closer to growing neighbourhoods in north Oshawa.
Improvements to Existing Routes
Route 502C (Bowmanville): New midday trips are being added to provide all-day weekday service to southwest Bowmanville. Weekday evening service will also operate in both directions after 7 pm.
Additional evening trips will also be added to extend service later into the evening and improve connections on the following routes: 121, 216, 224, 409, 419, 502, 902, 917.
DRT said the changes are being made to improve reliability, fill gaps in existing service, extend transit to growing communities, and provide more frequent and available transit options.
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The most important upgrade for DRT is to have continuous service on the major arterials. I heard from one rider that when she wanted to travel along Taunton Rd. the buses were frequently turning off to serve interior routes. This was beyond frustrating. If one wants to switch to an interior route, they should disembark and wait at that bus stop.
When I moved to Oshawa in 2016, I lived at 408 Bloor East. There was a bus stop in front but served only rush hour. People in my building who worked in Pickering or at the Loblaw’s terminal in Ajax could not get continuous bus service. They had to get a ride from a friend, or buy their first car (like myself). Durham is a large, spread out region, so it is not easy to provide cost-effective service. (speaking as a retired transportation planner. For example, I was on the advisory committee for the Province’s Transit Supportive Guidelines. Please feel free to consult me.