Donald Teuma-Castelletti
CAMPBELL’S BAY
Oct. 23, 2018
Pontiac residents can look forward to greater opportunities for public transport in the region, as Transcollines plans for more day trips and greater affordability within the next few years.
The public transportation service has been on tour within the areas it serves, breaking down the company’s strategic plan for 2019-23, while accepting feedback on the changes to come.
Campbell’s Bay was the first stop in the tour, meeting residents on Oct. 23 at the town’s recreation association hall. The bilingual presentation was led by Benoit Legros, who is responsible for planning and development for Transcollines.
Legros explained that in the Pontiac, the major concerns from customers stem from a lack of constant service along the transit line. Currently, there is only one trip to Ottawa and one trip back, but revised plans would see more trips, plus more trips specifically within the MRC.
He explained that these added trips would benefit more than just people commuting to the city, as service would see more stops added to include Pembroke as a destination. Research has indicated that many more customers in the Pontiac could benefit from this addition, as more people in the region work there than in the city.
However, these changes would affect the end of the line in the city, as service would become more dependent on a collaboration between Transcollines and the Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO). The route to Ottawa would stop in Aylmer, at which point customers would transfer onto an STO bus to continue to their destination, Legros explained.
This arrangement has been made to help reduce costs for services, as the partnerships with city transportation and government funding would make it more affordable.
“Currently, it costs $400 to $600 per month, which is way too expensive for us,” said Legros.
With these changes, the goal is to slice these prices to half of the current cost to customers.
The goal of all of these changes, Legros said, is to make the service more accommodating for all users, but also to help stimulate economic transition. He explained that with more stops and service in the region, there is a better opportunity for employees to travel within the MRC, which would make the region more attractive to new businesses and employers.
“The first question [from] big investors, employers is, ‘Where is your public transport to get our workers to our site?’” said Legros.
He said that Transcollines is confident both customers and employers will appreciate these changes, and that the plan is to have them implemented by 2021.
In total, seven guests attended this presentation on Oct. 23, with the majority being employees of the MRC Pontiac.
After this first stop on the tour of regions serviced, there were three other stops including Oct. 24 at the Luskville Community Centre, an Oct. 30 stop in Wakefield and a Nov. 1 stop in Cantley.
“We’re pretty excited, happy of what we’re offering,” said Legros.
