Despite the
news coverage devoted to the TTC recently, let’s not forget there
are many other transit agencies in the GTA. Some new developments
across the region may even provoke discussion about better service
for all of us.
Let’s start in
the west, where Burlington Transit has announced it will provide
free transit on Canada Day. A small step, but can you imagine if the
idea spreads? What would result from free transit on smog days and
New Year’s Eve -- on every system?
Oakville
Transit has another ground-breaker: Youth 14 and under will ride
free from July 1 to August 31. Mobility is a big deal in the
suburbs, where kids are dependent on someone to drive them to just
about any major destination.
Those of us who
enjoy frequent transit service might be surprised to learn that some
GTA agencies reduce drastically or even cancel regular service on
Sundays and holidays. Those days are hopefully ending in Oakville,
where this weekend marks the start of improved service.
Kudos to the
volunteers at the advocacy group GreenTrans who have been working
with officials in Oakville and Burlington to give these car-friendly
communities better travel options. Go to
http://www.greentrans.org/
for details of their inspiring initiatives, including “Summer Fun
Bus” days at local GO train stations.
Over in
Brampton and Mississauga, long-suffering riders can now buy monthly
passes to take advantage of the federal income tax credit that is to
take effect July 1. If you’re not sure what the rules are, check
with your local system online or by phone. Cross-border riders who
use the GTA Weekly Pass are out of luck however, as the tax credit
applies only to monthly cards.
Brampton
Transit warns travellers that the Downtown Brampton Transit Terminal
will close Friday, June 30 for about three weeks.
Call
905-874-2999 to find out where BT buses will stop.
TTC users
should know that on Saturday, July 1 and Monday, July 3, the system
will operate with “Saturday service” -- the subway will open at the
regular time.
Speaking of the
TTC, Public Affairs Director Marilyn Bolton responded to my Tuesday
column with a reminder to customers that “it is TTC policy to deploy
the ramp, lift or to kneel the bus when asked by anyone -- or to be
proactive in deploying the ramp, lift or kneeling feature when a
need is obvious, (for example when) the customer is in a wheelchair
or scooter.”
Despite this
rule, I should caution riders that some bus drivers may be under the
impression that unless you are using a wheel chair or scooter, they
are not allowed to extend the ramp or lift.
Get the full
details by clicking “Easier Access” at
www.ttc.ca. Go to
http://findtheway.ca/ for links to all GTA transit web sites.