/R E P E A T -- December 24 and 31, 2009 - Ride free aboard the STL/

LAVAL, QC, Dec. 23 /CNW Telbec/ - In keeping with its tradition, the STL is offering free transportation, all day long, on December 24 and 31, 2009, in order to thank its riders and show tangible support for the various campaigns aimed at preventing drinking and driving.

Nevertheless, the Société de transport de Laval is asking its clientele to consider giving generously December 24 and 31, so that young Laval residents can go to school on a full stomach. The donations collected on STL buses during these two days will be given to the STL's Boomerang Committee, to provide breakfast snacks to underprivileged children in a few schools in Laval.

The STL: facts and figures

    
    - The STL operates over 20 million runs annually.

    - The overhaul of the bus network, made necessary by the extension of the
      metro to Laval, gave rise to a 28% increase in service, faster trips
      and more direct bus routes.

    - The frequency of buses outside rush hours, on evenings and weekends,
      has doubled on 12 lines since August 2009.

    - The fare policy is particularly designed to encourage families to use
      public transit: All adults paying their fare on weekends and holidays
      may be accompanied, free of charge, by up to five children age 11 and
      under. This policy also applies to every day in the summer, July 1 -
      Labour Day. In addition, the STL's $1 fares on summer smog days are a
      first in Québec.

    - The STL is carrying out a feasibility study for a trolleybus network
      powered by electrical energy.

    - It is financing Éco Mobile à Laval, a major operation of Vélo Québec
      and aimed at promoting alternate solutions to car use.

    - It is also partnering with the Association québécoise de lutte contre
      la pollution atmosphérique, Communauto and The Carpooling Network to
      promote sustainable transportation in Laval.

    - All vehicles on its fleet use biodiesel B5, a fuel that comes from
      recycled oil that isn't made of corn.

    - By spring 2010, STL Synchro will be available on buses and via text
      messaging.
    

For further information: Marie-Céline Bourgault, Director, Communications and Marketing, Société de transport de Laval, [phone], [email protected]