By Robert Frank
www.thesuburban.com
After weather prompted Environment Canada to declare a smog alert last week, Laval’s transit authority implemented its first smog-day of the summer.
Société des transports de Laval (STL) slashed its bus fare by two-thirds, June 27, in the wake of the smog warning the previous day.
That permitted commuters to board STL buses for just $1, rather than the usual cash fare of $3, STL marketing manager Kathleen St. Yves told The Suburban in an interview.
“Our experience in previous years is that when we implement the lower fares, our ridership increases by about 1,500,” she said.
“This is the third year that we have offered this incentive to leave your car at home,” St. Yves added. “So far, we are the only transit authority in the province to take this initiative to reduce air pollution when air quality drops below par.”
As The Suburban reported, June 5, STL has committed to reduce fares during summer months, whenever the weather bureau declares a smog alert.
The reduced-fare program will remain in effect until Labour Day, Sept. 3.
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