Spring Flooding in Gatineau-The STO is implementing special measures, including free fares throughout its system

Owing to the exceptional situation resulting from the current high water levels of the spring freshet, city residents are asked to take buses or carpool in order to reduce traffic flow on city streets and highways. Consequently, public transit will be free on all Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) routes as of tomorrow, Monday, May 8, 2017, until further notice.

Transit service along the Rapibus corridor is the best option for travelling between districts east of the Gatineau River and the Hull sector and Ottawa downtown areas. In order to limit increased use of various STO park and ride stations, city residents who are able to do so are encouraged to travel by bus along their neighbourhood bus route, which will easily take them to various stations. Thanks to the cooperation of the Les Promenades Gatineau shopping centre, nearly 300 parking spaces will be made available to city residents temporarily, starting tomorrow, in addition to the usual parking spaces. At the parking area located on the Boulevard de la Savane side, motorists can leave their vehicles and take the Route 67 bus to the La Cité Station. It will also be possible to walk to the Les Promenades Station.

Transit users should also allow for some delays on routes and plan the amount of time their trip will take accordingly. For the time being, buses on routes 33, 45, 52, 53, 63, 75 and 300 will take detours from their regular itineraries because of local roadway constrictions. The STO will nonetheless have to make changes to its routes, depending on the developing situation and any decisions made by the authorities concerned. Consequently, the STO asks riders to be patient and thanks them for their understanding.

The STO will keep city residents and transit users informed on a regular basis. Transit users are strongly advised to obtain service updates by going to the STO website at sto.ca for System Info alerts or checking their Personalized System Info alerts disseminated by the STO. The STO's Facebook page and Twitter account are also good sources of information.

The STO would like to issue a reminder that reserved lanes are for buses, carpooling vehicles and taxis, and asks motorists making solo car trips to obey the reserved lane rules to facilitate their use by public transit vehicles.

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