York Region Transit surpasses 15 million riders in 2005

 

Ridership increases more than 10 per cent for fifth straight year

 

NEWMARKET – York Region Transit (YRT) and Viva Rapid Transit continued their impressive ridership growth in 2005, carrying 15.2 million passengers – an increase of 10.2 per cent from 2004. 

 

The 2005 ridership statistics mark the fifth consecutive year of 10 per cent or greater growth in passengers since YRT was formed in 2001.

 

"Transit ridership increases in York Region continue to be higher than anywhere else in Canada," said York Regional Chair and CEO Bill Fisch.  "This tremendous growth is a real testament to our sound planning, effective marketing and early recognition that our residents need and want to take transit as a preferred means of travel across our Region."

 

Transit ridership received a significant boost between September and December with the addition of Viva Rapid Transit.  Passenger boarding numbers for YRT and Viva since the Labour Day launch of Viva have increased 21 per cent, reflecting the popularity of both the rapid service and the two-hour "hop on, hop off" policy per fare.

 

"This sustained upward trend in transit ridership is extremely encouraging because it means reduced traffic congestion and improved air quality throughout our Region," said Township of King Mayor Margaret Black, Chair of the Region's Transit Committee.  "I am hopeful that even more of our residents will leave their cars at home and experience for themselves what our convenient, comfortable and cost-effective transit system can do for them."

 

YRT and Viva are operated as a single system, with Viva operating rapid transit service in four key corridors along Yonge Street and Highway 7.

 

For more information on YRT and Viva routes and fares, please visit www.yrt.ca or call toll-free at

1-866-MOVE-YRT (668-3978), locally at (905) 881-5167 or TTY line at 1-866-276-7478.

 

For information on Viva Rapid Transit please visit www.vivayork.com  

 

Live transit updates are available weekday mornings between 6:35 a.m. and 8:35 a.m. on A-Channel.

 

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