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Laval – Residents in Laval will now be able to give a bike a try and combine their public transit traveling with one of the “Try a Bike” bicycles. These bikes are being loaned within the activities of Eco Mobile à Laval, suggesting to Laval residents yet another means of alternate transportation.
This pilot project is a follow-up to the efforts of Eco Mobile à Laval, which consisted of a vast awareness campaign carried out by brigades’ visits to 20,000 households in Laval to encourage residents to adopt a sustainable, active method of transportation.
The suggestions of Eco Mobile à Laval include the use of public transit, walking and cycling, with the objective of promoting active means of transportation. Starting now, interested Laval residents may therefore try out a bike that Eco Mobile à Laval is offering Laval residents.
In cooperation with CEGEP Montmorency, the loans counter has been made available by the CEGEP, which is displaying its commitment to the quality of life of its students and employees and Laval residents as a whole. Already involved in various projects with the STL, the CEGEP, through its participation in Eco Mobile à Laval, is showing its commitment to the entire Laval population.
“We are very enthusiastic over this initiative. The cooperation between Eco Mobile à Laval, CEGEP Montmorency and the STL is clearly showing the collective will to contribute toward improving quality of life,” explained Jean-Jacques Beldié, Chairman of the Board of the STL.
“It’s a well-known fact that public transit users are often more fit than motorists. They have to walk or use a bike to get to the bus stop, to a bus terminus or to a metro station, which is an efficient, effective way of adopting a healthy, environmentally-friendly lifestyle,” STL General Manager Pierre Giard made a point of mentioning.
And as it may be recalled, Eco Mobile à Laval is the outcome of an initiative between Société de transport de Laval, Vélo-Québec and the Ministère des transports du Québec. Eco Mobile à Laval was given the responsibility of meeting with Laval residents and informing them of the advantages of using public transit and active means of transportation in order to engrave sustainable transportation in the hearts of the residents in our community and guarantee greener mass transit.
The STL-facts and figures
– Over 20 million annual trips
– Information to passengers at bus stops and in buses
– The overhaul of the entire bus system, which became necessary with the
introduction of the metro, has given rise to a 21% increase in service,
faster travelling and more direct routes.
– The frequency of bus service, outside rush hours, during evenings and
weekends, will double by 2011.
– Since January 2008, the STL has reduced its single-trip, regular fares-
an unprecedented move in Québec. Guided by an environmental concern,
this measure should contribute toward increasing the use of public
transit.
– The fare policy is particularly aimed at encouraging families to use
public transit: All adults paying their fare on weekends and holidays
may be accompanied, free of charge, by five children age 11 and under.
This policy is also valid all summer long, up until Labour Day.
– The STL is undertaking a feasibility study for an electrically-powered
trolleybus network.
– The STL is financing Eco Mobile à Laval, a major operation conducted by
Vélo-Québec, to promote alternatives to automobile use.
– The STL is also joining forces with the Association québécoise de lutte
contre la pollution atmosphérique, Communauto and the Réseau de
covoiturage, to promote sustainable transportation in Laval.
– All the vehicles in the STL’s fleet use B5 biodiesel, a fuel made from
recycled oil but with no corn content.
– All the vehicles are equipped with a real-time GPS tracking system.
– By March 2010, a real-time display will be available on buses, at bus
stops, and by means of mobile satellite service (MSS).
