Orangeville Transit ridership grew 13 per cent last year, which likely means more money for the system is forthcoming.

Since Orangeville’s ridership is up, the town expects to receive a higher percentage of federal gas tax from the Ministry of Transportation (MTO); the allotment is decided based on population served and ridership statistics.

Not only does the rise in ridership increase the amount of funds from the ministry, but taking the bus benefits the public as well.    

Reasons for the increase could be due to “the price of oil, and environmental awareness,” says Ed Gill, managing director of operations and transportation with the town. “Also, we’re providing a good service; good value for money.”

“It is important to nurture the next generation of people to use the transit,” says Coun. Sylvia Bradley, who chairs Orangeville’s sustainability action team.  “Sometimes it’s just ‘not cool’ to ride the bus; we need a change in attitude that it’s good to use the bus rather than your own vehicle. This has to start with young people.”

A collaborative effort from public works staff and Go Transit will see to the construction of a park-and-ride lot on Townline in Orangeville. Go Transit, which approved $219,000 financial assistance for the project in 2007, has increased their support to $264,000. The lot will house 55 paved parking spaces and an additional gravel parking area reserved for approximately 30 cars.

 “I’m sure [the park-and-ride lot] will increase ridership once we have a proper bus depot, and a better organized system. It’s a lovely facility,” says Bradley.

“Construction is underway,” says Gill, “We hope to get [the lot] done May, or early June. It will have a bus shelter where people can stay out of the elements, and they will be able to park their cars in a safe, well-lit place.”

Go Transit has expanded its bus service between Orangeville and Union Station — there will be six weekday northbound and southbound trips.

Even before these upgrades, Orangeville residents have been taking advantage of their transit system. Total rides per year increased from 49,233 rides in 2004 to 91,756 rides in 2007. It’s clear that people are getting the message.

Fares are to stay locked in at their current rate for at least another year, before being reviewed. The adult cash fare is $2 and the student/senior fare is $1.50 per ride; the last increase in rate was in 2000 when the adult fare increased from $1.50 and the student/senior fare increased from $1.25 to present rates.