Serving the Eastern Townships English-speaking Community since 1979.
WHAT’S NEW IN SHARED RURAL TRANSPORTATION?
January 27, 2010
By Evelina Smith, Information & Referral Coordinator
What exactly is shared rural transportation and why is it so important? If you live in an urban setting, travel is fairly uncomplicated. City bus, taxi, subway: These are viable options. But what about people living in rural areas, where these services are not available? The idea of shared rural transportation came about as an answer to this problem. Studies showed that while there was a general need for transportation in rural areas, the biggest needs were from seniors, young people and low-income individuals and families. The service is used by people who are travelling to work, school or medical appointments, and even just to do a bit of shopping.
Most Townships MRCs have a shared rural transportation program in place. Today, let’s look at the Haute-Yamaska MRC.
SHARED RURAL TRANSPORTATION IN THE HAUTE-YAMASKA MRC
If you live in the Haute-Yamaska MRC, public transportation is available in the following rural municipalities: Roxton Pond, Shefford, St-Alphonse, St-Joachim-de-Shefford, Ste-Cécile-de-Milton, Warden, and Waterloo.
Using the “Paratransit” or by using “Transport Day” are two ways to use the public transportation service. With Paratransit, clients use pre-existing Paratransit routes throughout the MRC. They will be able to go to Granby or elsewhere according to a daily schedule. This is depending on available space, and users must be aware that delays can take place because of boarding times for clients with certain limitations. With Transport Day, the service is based on predetermined routes established in each MRC sector, with each route ending in Granby. Boarding is between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m., and the trip home is between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.
Reservations for both services are required, and must be made no later than noon the previous day. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Users must pay cash for their trip, and exact change is required (the driver does not make change). The cost is $2 per person travelling within the same municipality (one-way or return), and $4 per person travelling from one municipality to another (one-way or return). Children under the age of five travel for free. There is no holiday service.
Fore more information on schedules, or to make a reservation, contact the Rural Area Public Transit Transport at 450-539-4515 or toll free 1-877-539-4515. The office is open from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 4 p.m. It is closed Saturday, Sunday, and legal holidays. You can also check out the website at www.haute-yamaska.ca. Click on “services” and then on “transport collectif.” English documentation is available there.
ELSEWHERE IN THE TOWNSHIPS
The Shared Rural Transportation initiative is active in most MRCs. For more information on schedules, rates, and routes in your area, simply contact the following people: in Brome-Missisquoi: 450-293-8583 or toll free 1-866-890-5242. In Des Sources: Frédéric Michaud at 819-879-7107. In the Coaticook MRC: Mrs. Jocelyne Gagnon at 819-849-3024. In Memphrémagog: Marie-Denise Morency at 819-847-1277. In the Haut-Saint-François: Jerry Espada at 819-832-4914. In the Val-Saint-François: Guy St-Amand at 819-845-7871.
Photo Credit: Karen Blouin
Photo Cutline: John O’Leary and Sylvie Tardif from Service Canada were present at the Marguerite Knapp Building’s Open House on November 19 to answer questions on federal government programs and services.