The Hon. Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour and Stratford Councillor Diane Griffin were joined by Stratford residents this morning to celebrate the launch of the new Stratford Transit System.
“This is an exciting time for the Town of Stratford,” said Minister Bertram. “There are many benefits to public transit, including economic, social and, of course, environmental benefits. By encouraging commuters to take transit, this new system will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and ultimately create a greener, healthier community for us all to enjoy.”
The transit system has been made possible through an $860,000 capital investment from the Province of Prince Edward Island to purchase the required two buses and eight bus shelters. This investment builds upon previous support the province provided to the Town in developing and researching its public transit system. The new service was designed through public consultation and a feasibility study.
“Stratford is committed to a more sustainable future, and we are pleased to be partnering with the City of Charlottetown and Trius Transit to offer our residents an alternative transportation option which will reduce our environmental footprint,” said Councillor Diane Griffin. “We are also grateful for the funding provided by the Province through the Public Transit Capital Trust for the purchase of the buses and shelters, without which we would not be able to provide this service.”
The new service will initially run from Monday to Friday with three runs in the morning into Charlottetown and two runs in the evening from Charlottetown. Users may transfer anywhere on the system once they have paid the $2.00 fare. There will be one bus doing the loop around the Bunbury Road, Mason Road and Shakespeare Drive and the other bus will loop around the Kinlock Road, through the Beacon Hill and Eastern Realties subdivisions and then back via the Keppoch and Stratford Road.
Trius Tours is the agency responsible for the operation and management of the municipal transit system throughout Stratford, which will link seamlessly to the previously established Charlottetown Transit.
For more information about routes, schedules and fares, visit the Town of Stratford’s website at www.town.stratford.pe.ca or the Transit System website at www.thebus.ca/.