Fall Service Starts August 27

The Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) would like to inform the public that its fall service will start this Monday, August 27.

Changes in the system
The STO is investing more than $335,000 this fall to upgrade its services by adding 17 trips spread among various bus routes, improving service with several route changes, converting bus routes and extending trips. Riders should check the changes made to routes 24, 29, 31, 33, 52, 53, 59, 65, 74, 96 and 98. Overall, these upgrades will allow the STO to offer a public transit service that continues to respond more efficiently to the needs of the population.

 
An even more accessible system: new route 32
In its ongoing efforts to make its regular bus routes more accessible to accommodate people with reduced mobility and in wheelchairs, the STO is adding route 31 and new route 32 to the existing accessible bus routes (36, 37, 38 and 300). These routes will be accessible at all times from Monday to Friday. Route 31 will also be accessible on Saturdays and Sundays, in addition to route 37 that already runs on weekends.


Articulated buses and the Multi smart card
The new Multi smart card and its many advantages are among the highlights marking the start of the school year, especially as thousands of students heading back to class will be getting this improved version of the old Passe-partout Plus pass. Among other things, this new generation smart card offers an e-wallet that is useful for occasional bus trips. Adding the ability to recharge the card over the Internet is planned during the winter.

In addition, this fall riders will continue to benefit from the high passenger capacity of the 26 new articulated buses that began operating in the summer for certain special events, and in the bus system mainly in Gatineau. These vehicles will also be part of the shuttle service offered during the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival.


Annual edition of the User’s Guide
The annual edition of the User’s Guide and the transit map have been available on the buses since August 20. These publications will be for sale for $1 at all smart card recharging sites and STO authorized ticket retail outlets starting September 3. The User’s Guide and transit map can also be viewed directly on the Société’s Web site.

To help riders plan their travel more efficiently, especially for the start of the school year, the STO invites the public to check Plani-Bus on the Web site at sto.ca to get personalized itineraries and to find out which bus routes serve the city’s different neighbourhoods. Riders can also visit the Routes and Schedules section on the site or contact Information at 819 770-3242 to find out the new fall schedules.

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