On Sept. 16, regional municipal and public transit officials gathered outside the MRC Pontiac office to inaugurate the “Pontiac transport hub”. A ribbon was cut for a new bus stop situated in the MRC parking lot, which is intended for both carpoolers and riders of the regional Transcollines bus into the city.
MRC Pontiac warden Jane Toller said that the project supported ride-sharing, public transport and the electrification of transport.
“A designated bus stop, complete with a protective shelter, now serves the 910 intercity line operated by Transcollines,” she said. “We have established a convenient park and ride facility to encourage carpooling and reduce reliance on single occupancy vehicles. Five charging stations have been installed to serve the growing number of electric vehicles in our region, a concrete step towards a greener future. And finally we made sure to landscape the site thoughtfully, reducing both the visual and environmental impact of the infrastructure.”
MRC des Collines warden Marc Carrière said that he was excited to collaborate with other MRC’s on this important regional file.
The project, funded through $185,911 from the FRR funding from the ministry of municipal affairs (MAMH), included the new paved entrance to the MRC parking lot on Hwy. 148, the new bus stop, as well as landscaping. MRC Pontiac communications advisor Francis Beausoleil was unable to provide an itemized breakdown of the cost of the project, but said that one would be available when their completed project report is submitted to the MAMH.
MRC Pontiac economic development officer Rachel Soar-Flandé wrote in an email that currently the riders catch the 910 line to the city at the dépanneur that sits kitty corner to the MRC office across the intersection of Hwy. 148 and Rte. 301. She said there are plans to bring on-demand transit service to the region, which Transcollines has rolled out elsewhere.
“The project is not fully complete, and the final report shall be drawn up once the project has terminated,” she wrote. “This project is part of a broader initiative to develop public transit services in the MRC Pontiac. In fact, Transcollines/MRC Collines, who operates intercity line 910, is planning to implement an on-demand transit service (TAD) that will be available across nearly the entire territory. Depending on needs and service ridership, new fixed routes could be established in the future.”
She added that the new entrance to the MRC property along Hwy. 148 was safer for vehicles turning left, a concern highlighted by Quebec’s transport ministry.
Transcollines officials said that they do not track stop-by-stop ridership numbers, but do track the people who use the line to the city monthly. THE EQUITY requested this data but did not receive a response in time for print.
“We do anticipate an increase in ridership at the [transport hub] once the on-demand service (TAD) is launched, as this new hub brings together several services and represents an important employment pole in the region,” said Transcollines communications officer Chantal Mainville. “As for the on-demand service in the MRC Pontiac, it is scheduled to be launched during the fall. More details and usage data will be available once the service is underway.”
Beausoleil said that two double charging stations were funded through a Hydro-Québec program, at no cost to the MRC. He added the MRC does not keep track of the number of users of the car charging stations.
“Some employees use them (I sometimes do!), but also some residents (cars plugged that I don’t recognize being from the staff),” he wrote. “We do not specifically collect information about who uses the service or how often it is used.”
