Carl Hager
MUNICIPALITY OF PONTIAC – Transcollines held a series of four public consultations from October 23 to November 1 to elaborate on its 2019-2023 Strategic Plan and to facilitate input from users and citizens. Meetings were held in Campbell’s Bay October 23, and Luskville, October 24.
Carl Hager
MUNICIPALITY OF PONTIAC – Transcollines held a series of four public consultations from October 23 to November 1 to elaborate on its 2019-2023 Strategic Plan and to facilitate input from users and citizens. Meetings were held in Campbell’s Bay October 23, and Luskville, October 24.
Benoit Legros, Trans-collines Planning and Marketing representative, presented the plan, noting that the company hopes to improve services by offering more buses and better two-way routes from Aylmer, through the Pontiac, as far as Pembroke. Transcollines is considering lowering fares, which they hope will increase demand and ultimately result in better services.
Negotiations with Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) and Ottawa-Carleton Transportation Commission (OC Transpo) are underway to allow transfers to
those bus lines so riders can arrive at destinations beyond Transcollines’ region; January 2021 is the target date for these links. Meanwhile, discussions continue with the Ministry of Transport and the various MRCs and municipalities involved to secure funding to make the plan possible.
Luskville parents request special route
Nine parents attended the Luskville meeting to request that Transcollines establish a bus route so their children can attend school in Masham offering a program with a concentration in sports, instead of the Grand-Rivière High School in Aylmer, as mandated by law. The school board will not provide the transportation.
Legros said Transcollines has no plans to establish an east-west route, but he agreed to consider the parents’ input for the future. He pointed out that traffic volume and finances are the main factors considered when deciding on additional routes.
Leslie-Anne Barber, a Municipality of Pontiac councillor who sits on the Transcollines board, said she would speak to council about providing financing to
help with the constituents’ request. Depending on the bus and how a route fits with other routes, it could cost an estimated $30,000/year.
