Results of the 2013 Origin-Destination survey - Laval has chosen public transit

LAVAL, QC, Jan. 23, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The results of the 10th Origin-Destination survey (O-D) have come back with good news about the mobility of Laval's residents. The study was conducted in Fall 2013 and it looked at the entire metropolitan region. It is worth noting that across the entire city of Laval, the population growth was higher than the number of vehicles over the past five years. This is a unique finding for the greater Montreal area.

"The 2008 Origin-Destination survey confirmed that following the arrival of the Metro in Laval, there was a 31% increase in the use of public transportation compared to 2003. The presence of the Metro combined with significant developments in the STL's bus service generated a 2.8% growth in the use of public transportation in Laval compared to 10% for the entire metropolitan area" said Guy Picard, Director General of the STL.

The Origin-Destination survey was conducted in partnership with the AMT (Agence métropolitaine de transport), AQTIM (Association québécoise du transport intermunicipal), CMM (Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal), MTQ (ministère des Transports du Québec), RTL (Réseau de transport de Longueuil), SRM (Secrétariat à la région métropolitaine), STM (Société de transport de Montréal) and the STL (Société de transport de Laval). In total, the study looked at 78,831 households and a total of 188,746 people. Conducted every five years, the survey provides a snapshot of mobility in the greater metropolitan area.

A growth in ageing

The survey also revealed significant growth in the ageing population. 15% of the metropolitan area is now aged 65 or older.  In Laval, the population of people 65 and older jumped from 11% to 16% in just five years.

"These numbers elegantly demonstrate the importance of implementing fares such as Horizon 65+" added David De Cotis, President of the STL's Board of Directors. The fact is, our population is ageing. Travelling for free and being able to go anywhere at any time with no constraints is what the people of Laval want and it's what we are offering with Horizon 65+. By giving them the means to be more mobile and autonomous, we are also ensuring equality between individuals and generations. Laval understands that adapting public transportation to match this new demographic reality is essential. "

Increased modal share in Laval

Though the growth of travel by car ranked at 15% in the greater metropolitan area, in Laval it was 20%.  However, the growth in travel by public transit was 10% in the greater metropolitan area, whereas in Laval, it was 28 %.

The overall share of the market played by public transit increased by two percentage points. In 2008, 18% of the population used public transit during the morning rush hour. According to the current study, one out of every five people in Laval now uses public transit in the morning.  This two percent increase shows that in Laval, public transit is the best means of reducing of single passenger driving.

Regarding the share of public transit heading to Laval, there has been a three percent increase, which reflects the fact that Laval is increasingly important as a destination for work and studies.

"The results of the Origin-Destination survey will allow us to adjust bus service and establish improved means of active and collective transportation to better respond to needs and ensure sustainability" says David De Cotis. If we want to improve mobility in the greater metropolitan area, public transportation companies must continue to develop public transit and we must collectively contribute to investing in heavy infrastructure. This is essential. Walking, bike riding and public transit are all excellent means of accomplishing this if we want to reduce single passenger driving. As the results of the Origin-Destination survey have shown, the STL is once again working hard to improve quality of life for everyone in Laval. "

The STL, taking action

• The STL is responsible for over 20 million trips annually.
• The STL has rolled out the STL Synchro system to keep its clients informed in real time about its schedules and buses.
• The STL's fare policy is geared to encourage families to use public transit: an adult who pays a regular fare during the week or on statutory holidays can be accompanied by up to five children under the age of 12 for free. This policy is also applicable on smog days between July 1st and Labour Day. The $1 reduced fare on smog days during the summer period is a first in Quebec.
• The STL has partnered with the Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique and with Communauto.
• We use our Facebook and Twitter accounts to share our news and travel notices.
• We created My STL to offer our clients the opportunity to receive updates about their regular bus lines and to find out what's new at the STL.
• Since the launch of our Operational support and user information system in 2009, we have increased our punctuality rate to nearly 90 %.
• The STL has received several awards and distinctions including the AQTR'S Grand prix d'excellence en transport en commun in 2010, which solidified our reputation for excellence.
• In 2011, the STL took the AQTR Communication Grand Public prize for its smog alert program.
• In May 2012, the STL received the ACTU, le Prix de leadership des entreprises in the Innovation category for the Clic carpooling project.
• In May 2012, the STL launched its new STL Sustainable mobility solution for businesses and organizations that are conscious of managing the travels of their employees more efficiently.
• In November 2012, the STL signed the International Union of Public Transport's (IUPT) Charter on Sustainable Development.
• In March 2013, the STL became the first transportation company in Quebec to be a certified "Healthy Enterprise"!
• In May 2013, the AQTr awarded the STL their Coup de cœur du jury d'honneur award for two projects: The Operational support and user information system for paratransit (OSIS) and CLIC the electric carpooling project launched in conjunction with the AMT.
• In June 2013, the CUTA awarded the STL with two Corporate Leadership Awards: one in the Innovation category for its operational support and user information system for paratransit (OSIS) and other in the Marketing and Communications category for the "Let's Develop Together" contest.
• In November 2013, the STL received the Institut d'administration publique du Québec's Excellence award in the "e-Government" category for its real time operational support and user information system for paratransit.
• In 2014, the STL received the Prix Coup de cœur du jury d'honneur de l'AQTr for its Projet d'expérimentation d'un bus électrique à recharge lente bus project.
• In October 2014, the STL was given special mention in the sustainable development category for its real time operational support and user information system for paratransit (OSIS).
• In October 2014, the STL received the ATUQ Prix Reconnaissance for the development and implementation of the new Horizon 65+ fare.
• In October 2014, Recyc-Québec honoured the STL with a Special Mention in its Ici on Recycle program.

SOURCE Société de transport de Laval

Marie-Céline Bourgault, Communications and Marketing Director, 450 662-5429, [email protected]