The STL launches the 360, a new bus line to promote Laval's tourist attractions

LAVAL, QC, Jan. 19, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Société de transport de Laval (STL) is pleased to announce the inauguration of a new line to serve downtown Laval. Created in collaboration with Tourisme Laval, the Centropolis and its tourist attractions, the Cosmodôme, the Carrefour Laval, the Centre Laval and the Hotels and Convention Centres, the bus line will provide service to Laval's many points of interest.  Departures will leave every twenty minutes from the Montmorency Metro station heading to the downtown area north of Boulevard Saint-Martin.

This line is designed to meet the travel needs of the many visitors staying at hotels who do not have access to a vehicle and those who prefer to park their cars and visit the many areas of interest around the Centropolis and the Carrefour Laval by bus. The line will also provide residents of Laval and Montreal with access directly from the Montmorency Metro station to the many points of interest.

"Downtown Laval's tourist attractions are increasingly popular destinations. By offering visitors direct access to these locations, we are facilitating travel and providing access to the people of Laval and Montreal who want to explore this area and delve into its offerings. This project is the result of a collaboration between partners and serves as a shining example of the importance of sustainable development in our community" says David De Cotis, President of the STL's Board of Directors.

"The 360 bus line is a great example of Tourisme Laval's role within our tourism industry, which is to support growth-market projects that allow increasing the number of visitors and contribute to structuring our offer. In our opinion, the 360 line is a tourist product by itself since it's an asset that enhances the attractiveness of our tourist sites, making them more accessible to a greater number of visitors," says Geneviève Roy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tourisme Laval.

Marc De Blois, Director General of the Cosmodôme, Head of Tourisme Laval and Attraits touristiques majeurs, is ecstatic about this initiative: "This partnership with the STL positions Laval as a choice destination. The 360 bus line will help us reach this goal by making it easier to travel around this part of the city."

An evolving bus service

The new line will be officially launched as of January. A follow-up will be conducted to evaluate the level of interest, the frequency of service and points of interest. These stops will be shown on our regular displays. The standard STL fares will apply to this new service.

The schedule will change in accordance with the seasons as summer is generally a busier time of year.

2016  Schedule

January 9 to June 19 : Saturday from  9:00 AM to 10:30 PM  and Sunday from  9:00 AM to 18:00 PM 

June 25 to August 26 : Seven day a week service

August 27 to December 31: Saturday and Sunday service

"This agreement with business partners working in the area have allowed us to implement a service with a frequent schedule right away" adds Guy Picard, Director General. "According to a survey of our riders conducted last August, 51% of those surveyed use the bus to travel to one or more of these points of interest in the city. The addition of the 360 line will certainly respond to this need as well as to the needs of the many thousands of visitors that come to Laval because of the unique character offered by its many attractions and the remarkable efficiency of its transportation system."

For more information about this new bus line's schedule and route, visit www.stl.laval.qc.ca

SOURCE Société de transport de Laval

Daniel Boismenu, Interim Director, Communications and marketing, 450 662-5400 extension 2360, [email protected]