STL 2012 BUDGET

Last week, Ville de Laval adopted the 2012 budget of the Société de transport de Laval. Entirely developed in line with the Sustainable Mobility Plan, the budget indicates the STL's plans to embark on concrete actions to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) starting in 2012.
This $118.5-million budget will make it possible to face the expected rise in ridership in 2012. Service is therefore increasing 3.8%. Since the opening of the three metro stations in Laval, the STL's service will have therefore increased by nearly 35%. Moreover, although the price of a monthly pass will be up 3.2% starting January 1, 2012, the STL is maintaining the $1 fare for its "Smog Alert" incentive program.

Improvement in service, development and innovation are the core features of this budget for 2012. With regard to investments, the optimization of vehicle energy efficiency is a major focus of the STL's three-year capital investment program, as in addition to the acquisition of—as well as the study on—a fully-electric vehicle, the program illustrates the intention to purchase only hybrid vehicles for 2012-2014 and also includes an aerial tramway feasibility study.

"This 2012 budget comes within the scope of Ville de Laval's trend shift in its Sustainable Mobility Plan and bears witness to our will to put into concrete form—as quickly as possible—the proposed ways and means of reducing GHG emissions on Laval territory," stated Lucie Hill Larocque, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors.

The STL, facts and figures

•  The STL operates over 20-million runs annually.
•  The STL has rolled out its STLSynchro system, which informs transit users, in real time, about bus schedules and progress along the routes.
•  The overhaul of its bus network, made necessary by the extension of the metro to Laval, has given rise to a 32% increase in service, faster trips, more direct bus routes and a greater frequency of buses outside rush hours, on evenings and weekends.
•  The STL has also joined forces 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.
•  The STL is registered on Twitter and has its own page on Facebook, where it announces service notices.
•  The STL offers riders the opportunity to register on My STL in order to receive notices on the bus routes that they usually take.
•  Since the roll-out, in 2009, of its vehicle scheduling control system, the STL's on-time performance rates continue to improve, and to date, it has succeeded in achieving rates of over 92%.
•  The STL has received a number of awards of distinction, including one from the AQTR in 2010: the Grand Prix for excellence in mass transit, positioning it as an outstanding corporation.
•  In 2011, the STL was honoured with the AQTR's general public communication award for its Smog Alert program.