The STM marks transport adapté’s three millionth ride!

Press release

Montréal, December 18, 2012   – Michel Labrecque, Chairman of the STM Board of Directors, Mrs. Marie Turcotte, paratransit users’ representative, also a member of the Board, and Errol Paillé, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Centre de réadaptation Lucie-Bruneau, festively marked the three-millionth paratransit ride, saluting the arrival of the « millionnaire minibus ».

“A reliable, safe, on-time and courteous service, the STM’s adapted transportation contributes to the social, professional and economic inclusion of people living with functional limitations. Since 2006, paratransit service has experienced an unprecedented growth of 53% in the number of service users and 55% in ridership (from nearly two million rides in 2006 to over three million in 2012). Indeed, we’re now providing over 12,000 rides in a single day, a record in itself! Our most recent customer satisfaction survey shows that the overall level of satisfaction has remained at a steady 94% on average for the past three years. With such encouraging results, we can afford to have an optimistic outlook for the future of this specialized service,” explained Mr. Labrecque.

Furthermore, the three call centres have handled nearly 900,000 calls last year and, compared to 2006, the volume of calls has grown by more than 61%. In 2011, no fewer than 4000 people were accepted as new customers. “Despite growing demand in the last several years, our customized service is always there when needed, and has demonstrated its considerable impact on the mobility of persons with functional limitations,” added Mrs. Turcotte.

“Welcoming Transport adapté’s three-millionth ride at the Centre de réadaptation Lucie-Bruneau is a significant event for our institution. By establishing their headquarters in this very location in 1976, the Forest brothers, founders of the first paratransit service in the city, laid the groundwork for forging a natural partnership with us, one that is directly related to our social integration role. This partnership enabled them to increase their offer of service until 1980, when the STM took over. Officially designated as the transfer point with Laval and South Shore paratransit services since 1998, the Centre today is still a major player in the success of this essential service for the physically disabled. It has also played a part in the exhibit dedicated to the Forest brothers that was initiated by the Musée acadien du Québec in Bonaventure,” indicated Mr. Paillé.

Innovations in the delivery of services for 2013
Starting in January 2013, paratransit services will be provided as early as 6 a.m. every day of the week. By starting up half an hour earlier on weekdays and an hour and a half earlier on weekends, Transport adapté is increasing its overall service by six and a half hours a week. Also, service users can now reserve their occasional transportation up to seven days in advance, regardless of their reason for travel, making the reservations process easier for users, while improving the planning process for transportation.

The STM reminds the public that it has been providing door-to-door paratransit services to people with functional limitations since 1980. Thanks to the STM’s 86 minibuses, that provide 13% of all transportation, and 14 associated taxi companies that ensure 87% of transportation with standard and adapted taxis, more than 23,000 service users can travel anywhere on the island of Montréal and in the greater metropolitan area.

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