Durham Region Transit’s (DRT) yesterday announced a multi-phased strategy to provide additional and improved service across the network.
The move is part of DRT’s Ridership Recovery Framework to encourage and increase transit ridership, said a statement.
On August 24, DRT will launch Phase A of its service plan and introduce a new transit network designed to meet current and projected customer demand, from early morning to late night. Residents of and visitors to Durham Region will have access to public transit no matter where they live, work or are travelling to within the region, said the statement.
It said the Phase A service plan will deliver increased frequency and availability of service, ensuring maximum flexibility for customers and alignment with current and projected ridership trends and patterns.
Frequent network with 15-minute or better weekday service, from 07:00 to 19:00, on the following high volume corridors:
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Grid network with 30-minute or better service, seven days a week, on the following north-south and west-east cross roads:
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On Demand in areas where the frequent network and grid routes are not available due to low demand. The new On Demand service will provide customers with mobility options based on their trip needs: travelling stop-to-stop within a zone, to facilitate connecting to frequent and grid routes, or to the local GO station or bus terminal. Phase A will also expand On Demand service throughout Clarington, ensuring safe and reliable transit access across the region, with access to new DRT scheduled service connecting Bowmanville to Oshawa.
As part of the enhanced On Demand service that’s launching with Phase A, DRT is advancing a recommendation from the Rural Transit Review and implementing a new mobile app solution to enable customers to plan and book their trips independently and at their convenience, providing a more seamless and modern travel experience. More information about the mobile app will be announced soon, said the statement.
Phase A will also include the following service enhancements, some of which were previously approved in the 2020 service plan, and are based on ridership trends and customer feedback:
- PULSE 901 Simcoe bus rapid transit (BRT) will now serve Simcoe Street with additional frequent service.
- Route 902 King will connect Clarington to Oshawa providing seamless service for residents of and visitors to Clarington.
- Route 917 Bayly/Victoria/Consumers will connect Pickering to Oshawa ensuring continuous west to east service south of the 401.
The services launching as part of Phase A will build a ridership foundation to increase frequency and launch additional bus routes under Phases B and C, details for which will be shared in the coming weeks.
For more details about Phase A routing and On Demand zones, view the new system map, and for route-specific information, view the new Individual Route Maps. More information is also available on durhamregiontransit.com.