The United Counties of Prescott and Russell
(UCPR) announced today that, starting June 15th, the PR Transpo
inter-municipal public transit service will resume operations in an
entirely new form. Riders will now be able to take advantage of an
on-demand service, and the existing fixed routes will be discontinued.
“With extended service hours, from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday to
Saturday, the new on-demand transit service offers an excellent solution
for our rural region that will better meet the needs of the Prescott
and Russell population,” said Mr. Stéphane Sarrazin, Warden of the UCPR.
Unlike a system of routes, stops, and predetermined schedules, PR
Transpo’s new service will adapt to the schedules and travel needs of
the riders while offering them a customizable transportation experience.
On-demand public transit service also allows a better link with more
remote rural areas that are not typically serviced by traditional public
transit systems due to lower ridership.
“This new service will enable women who are victims of violence, a
social problem that is accentuated in rural areas, to break their
isolation and have easier access to assistance and support services,”
explains Ms. Martine Lanthier, Executive Director of the Centre
Novas-CALACS francophone de Prescott-Russell.
“We hope that the population will adopt PR Transpo’s new service
because it has been specifically designed to meet their needs. The added
value that this innovative on-demand model represents for the riders
will undoubtedly allow us to reach operational profitability and will
ensure the sustainability of the transit service in the long run,” said
Ms. Carole Lavigne, Director of Economic Development and Tourism for the
UCPR.
What is on-demand public transit service?
On-demand public transit service allows riders to book a bus trip to
and from a location of their choice at a convenient time for them and at
a competitive price.
How does PR Transpo on-demand public transit service work?
PR Transpo riders will now be able to benefit from a personalized
public transit service allowing them to book a trip between virtual
stops. Located at predetermined strategic locations in urban areas and
within a few steps of the desired pick-up or drop-off locations in rural
areas, these virtual and customizable stops will allow riders to travel
throughout the Prescott and Russell region at their convenience.
Riders will be able to plan, check availability, book, and pay for
their trip via either the mobile application, the website, or the
telephone. The cost for each trip, which is set at $1.20 per kilometre,
will be determined by the distance to be travelled. Students (5 to 17
years old) and seniors (65 years and older) can benefit from a reduced
rate of $1.00 per kilometre. Children under five years old may use the
service free of charge when accompanied by an adult.
PR Transpo is a rural inter-municipal public transit service that was
first launched in October 2019. The purpose of the pilot project,
administered by the UCPR, is to implement a rural transit system to
improve mobility for residents of the Prescott and Russell region. Until
March 2023, the initiative benefits from a financial support of 1.5
million dollars from the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario as part
of the Community Transportation Grant Program.