TRANSIT TO OFFER SHUTTLE SERVICE AS A PARK & RIDE OPTION
Pilot project will get shuttle on route by mid-October

At the September 28th City Council Meeting, Council approved a pilot project that will see Park & Ride shuttle service operating between the Akinsdale-Kinex Arena and the Village Transit Station. This service will allow St. Albert Transit riders to park at the arena and take a shuttle bus to Village Transit Station to make their connections with commuter buses to Edmonton.

“The City understands the concerns about Park & Ride availability and is committed to exploring options for transit riders,” said Mayor Nolan Crouse. “This pilot project will provide us with an option to test over the remainder of the fall season, and a chance to review uptake numbers as we work through the 2010 budget process.”

The new shuttle service will begin operating by October 13th and will continue providing service until December 4. The project will be evaluated as it proceeds and a report will be made City Council November 13. The shuttle will operate on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., running every 15 minutes.

Transit ridership has increased by 1.2% this September. Increases over the years have generated a demand for Park & Ride spaces that exceed the 500 spaces at the Village Transit Station. This deficit has been noticed by riders who have shared their concerns with the City and provided feedback on potential solutions.

“Transit riders have expressed a strong desire to have additional Park & Ride spaces developed,” said Bob McDonald, Director of Transit.  “As the City works toward establishing a new location at the intersection of St. Albert Trail and Anthony Henday Drive over the next few years, we will continue monitoring ridership and making every effort to ensure that options are available for our users.”

The increases in ridership and use of the Park & Ride location has resulted in numerous tickets being issued for vehicles illegally parked at the Village Transit Station.  From September 1st to 22nd of this year, a total of 116 parking tickets have been issued – close to half of the amount issued throughout the entire fall of 2008.

St. Albert Transit will monitor the pilot project by taking daily passenger counts and comparing these to observed changes in illegal parking and feedback from customers.

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