Whitby transit users can expect more capacity on Durham Region Transit in the coming years, after the region's Transit Executive Committee approved the purchase of 18 additional buses to keep pace with record-setting ridership across Durham.
The new buses, funded through the approved 2024 budget, are projected to be in service by September 2026, according to a Durham Region Transit meeting summary. The agency projects annual ridership of 13.0 million in 2024, rising to 13.9 million in 2025 and 15.2 million in 2026.
Ridership outpacing pre-pandemic levels
The transit agency reported that ridership in 2024 was running 20.6 per cent higher than in 2019 and 25.9 per cent higher than the same point in 2023. The remaining service hours approved in the 2024 budget were rolled out during the October scheduled service change, the meeting summary said.
DRT said it is continuing to recruit and train operators so that additional revenue service hours expected in the 2025 budget can be added as early as possible in the new year.
New programs for students and jobseekers
The committee also highlighted a pair of community programs. DRT launched a pilot High School Ambassador Program for the 2024-2025 school year at Ajax High School, where selected students volunteer to promote the benefits of public transit among their peers. The first two ambassadors, Saom Javaid and Zahra Zariwala, are Grade 10 students who ride public transit themselves.
DRT is also continuing its partnership with the Pathways 2 Employment program at the Abilities Centre, which helps jobseekers build confidence using transit. Transit Ambassadors offer training on trip planning, fares, safety, mobile apps and route navigation.
Participants in the summer 2024 session reported a 71 per cent increase in overall confidence in travel, navigation and payment. The agency said 84.8 per cent improved their ability to identify stop IDs and bus routes, while 65 per cent gained confidence paying for transit independently.
Art coming to bus shelters
Meanwhile, local artists are being invited to submit work for installation on DRT bus shelters as part of a pilot project under the region's newly approved Public Art and Creative Placemaking Program. Shelters displaying artwork are currently located at the Oshawa Centre terminal, the Harmony terminal and near the north Oshawa campus shared by Ontario Tech University and Durham College.
"The Public Art and Creative Placemaking Program is a meaningful way to celebrate local talent and enrich our community spaces. By showcasing artwork on DRT shelters, we are not only beautifying our transit system, but also fostering a sense of pride and connection among residents."
Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer John Henry said in the meeting summary.
"We are excited to continue enhancing the transit network towards a vision where the public chooses DRT services because it is convenient and meets their mobility needs, making 2024 a record year for transit ridership."
Bill Holmes, general manager of Durham Region Transit, said in the summary. Regional Councillor Marilyn Crawford, chair of the Transit Executive Committee, credited the agency's engagement team for the impact of the ambassador and Abilities Centre programs.
The full Transit Executive Committee agenda is available at DurhamRegionTransit.com/TEC. Whitby riders can reach DRT at 1-866-247-0055.
