York Region launches new one-year YRT Dial-a-Ride service to combat low evening ridership in Town of Newmarket

 

Innovative pilot transit service hits Newmarket streets September 4^th

 

NEWMARKET – The Regional Municipality of York welcomed a new York Region Transit (YRT) Dial-a-Ride service in the Town of Newmarket today.  An event held at the Newmarket GO Bus Terminal brought residents and local politicians together to celebrate the launch of this innovative transit service on Route 44 – Bristol-London.

 

“The Dial-a-Ride service may provide an economic and environmentally-friendly answer to low evening ridership we sometimes experience on transit,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch.  “This pilot project will give us an opportunity to test the waters and determine if the program can be grown to include other areas of York Region.”

 

Dial-a-Ride service will replace regular YRT transit service along Route 44 – Bristol-London on Monday to Saturday after 7:05 p.m.  YRT buses will be replaced with on-call contracted taxi service operated by Scarborough Taxi.  By calling 1-800-899-1621 at least 30 minutes in advance of a trip, customers can request to be picked up and dropped off at any Route 44 bus stop by a YRT-marked Scarborough Taxi accessible van.  Route 44 bus stops include Newmarket GO Bus Terminal, Silver City movie theatre and Upper Canada Mall.

 

“The Town of Newmarket’s thriving community is the perfect place to test the benefits of this progressive transit service,” said Town of Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen.  “Our residents have asked for more, and Dial-a-Ride offers a convenient, safe and reliable new way to travel.”

 

The outcome of the one-year pilot program will be used to determine if Dial-a-Ride will continue in Newmarket, as well as determine if the program could be extended to other similar areas of low ridership across the Region.  The Dial-a-Bus service is anticipated to result in an annual operational savings of over $40,000.

 

“Dial-a-Ride is a practical solution that will keep operating costs down and Town of Newmarket residents connected,” said Town of Markham Regional Councillor Jim Jones Chair of the Region’s Transit Committee.  “I’m very pleased to see the Dial-a-Ride pilot moving forward in Newmarket and look forward to following the progress of the program.”

 

The Town of Newmarket has over 15 YRT/Viva services, including Route 44 – Bristol-London and the new Dial-a-Ride service. 

 

For more information about YRT/Viva services, please visit the YRT/Viva website at www.yrt.ca, or call the Customer Service Centre at 1-866-MOVE-YRT (668-3978). 

 

For more information on The Regional Municipality of York, please visit www.york.ca

 

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