Transit Fare Increase Means Improved Bus Routes

"Oakville Transit is about getting people to where they want to go - quickly and efficiently," said Barry Cole, Director of Transit Services for the Town of Oakville. "With the cost of fuel and growth in population, public transit demands are quickly rising. Public transit is not only more cost effective, but having fewer cars on the road is also better on our environment."

In July of this year, Oakville Transit will introduce the following route improvements:

• Route 22 will include Saturday service.
• Route 24 Saturday service will be increased to every 30 minutes.
• Route 200 will have increased peak-hour service.
• Route 32, a brand new route, will operate as an all-day service (Monday to Sunday) to the new Rio Can Centre (Burloak/QEW), including Silver City.

Later this year, transit users will also see improvement to Route 13 with Saturday service increasing to every 30 minutes. In addition, Route 200 will become a Monday to Friday all-day service.  The fare increase did not affect the cost for Student, Senior or Freedom monthly passes.

The approved fare increases will take place as of July 1, 2008, and are as follows:

Fare Type	Fare Cost
Cash	$2.75
Adult Ticket	$2.30
Student Ticket	$1.90
Senior Ticket	$1.55
Adult Pass	$80.00
Student Pass	$50.00
Senior Pass	$45.00
GO co-fare	$0.60
GO with Gus Pass	$20.00
Freedom Pass	$10.00
Day Pass	$8.00

Oakville Transit relies on revenue generated from passenger fares to offset a portion of the costs associated with delivery of its services. 

"Bus service needs to expand and change to accommodate the needs of residents," added Cole. "This fare increase will allow us to improve our service as demand and operating expenses increase."

Over the past year, the following routes were also enhanced:

• Route 13 was extended to include the area west of Bronte Road. The bus schedule on this route increased to provide service every 30 minute from every 60 minutes. 
• Route 22 became an all-day service and included service to Halton Regional Centre.
• Route 24, with service to Sheridan College, saw one additional bus added for in-bound service in the morning peak hours.
• Route 28 was added as a permanent service on Monday to Saturday evenings, Sundays and holidays.
• Care-A-van began offering service to residents on Sundays and holidays during the day, and evening service from Monday to Saturday.
• Late-night bus service from Oakville GO Station was also increased.