Public transit across West Quebec
Free access for students this summer
Sophie Demers
On May 31, the Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) announced that Gatineau high school students will have unlimited free access to public transit this summer, from July 1 to August 31. This will include STO, OC Transpo and Transcollines systems.
This initiative in partnership with the City of Gatineau will allow more than 15,000 high school students to access public transit. This is the first initiative of its kind in Quebec according to Jocelyn Blondin, STO President and councillor for the Manoir-des-Trembles-Val-Tétreau district.
“In addition to increasing ridership and promoting the public transit system, this youth free access initiative aims to create healthy travel habits among our young people,” said Blondin. “It also gives parents a break and makes it easier to access student jobs, which in turn helps local businesses during the summer.”
The “Youth Free Access” card will start being distributed starting June 6th at all four STO service centres for 17 eligible high schools. Access to free youth access varies, depending on the school from which the student comes. To be eligible the student must have been born after September 1, 2004.
“Environment, public transit and youth are priorities,” said France Bélisle, Mayor of Gatineau. “This is why the City invests more than $75 million annually in public transit,” “This initiative is an investment because our youth are our users of tomorrow. Developing that kind of reflex even before they get their driver’s licence can certainly help us in our GHG reduction goals.”
The STO reminds Gatineau residents that this initiative is in addition to the Family Rate, which allows children aged 11 and under to travel free on the STO network when accompanied by an adult, during the week in July and August. Additionally, using public transit Saturdays and Sundays in July and August will only cost customers who pay with an electronic wallet on a Multi chip card $2. More information can be found at sto.ca
