DRT — 2024
Despite record ridership and inadequate service, Durham Region is proposing to cut $8 million for service increases in their 2024 budget.
Information
Source: Durham Region Transit
In Fall 2023, Durham Region Transit (DRT) saw a massive increase in ridership. In September 2023, ridership was 30% higher than pre-pandemic ridership in September 2019.
DRT saw 1.5 million monthly riders and 67,000 daily riders on weekdays. This high ridership has caused many problems. Buses on the busiest routes are constantly full and buses often skip stops because they are full.
To adjust to demand, DRT cut service and redesigned routes on the least busy routes to improve service on the busiest routes due to there not being enough service hours for both services. These service changes took effect at the start of January 2024.
In a report released in December 2023, DRT stated that if resources were available, DRT would massively boost service on 15 routes today. This would require 195,000 additional service hours and 41 additional buses.
January 2024 Service
8 routes that operate at 15 minute frequencies or better in peak periods
2 routes that operate at 10 minute frequencies in peak periods
6 routes that operate at 15 minute frequencies or better until 7pm
2 routes that operate at 10 minute frequencies until 7pm
3 routes that operate at 15 minute frequencies until 7pm on weekends
Proposed Service Increases
7 additional routes that operate at 15 minute frequencies or better in peak periods
4 additional routes that operate at 10 minute frequencies in peak periods
10 additional routes that operate at 15 minute or better frequencies until 7pm
3 additional routes that operate at 10 minute frequencies until 7pm
5 additional routes that operate at 15 minute or better frequencies until 7pm on weekends
1 additional route that operate at 10 minute service on weekends
7.5 minute frequencies on route 900 in peak periods
5 minute frequencies on route 901 until 7pm
Source: durhamregion.com
In the 2024 Durham Region Budget, over $8 million was planned to increase the budget of DRT. However, due to budget pressures, regional councilors decided to make cuts to DRT in a December 20th meeting.
This means that the amount of service hours in 2024 will be the same as 2023.
It means less capacity, longer wait times, more packed buses, more passengers being left behind at stops, no room for ridership growth, and worse transit access.
If we care about building more housing efficiently and sustainably, combating climate change, creating opportunities, decreasing road accidents, providing equitable transportation, and reducing traffic. We need to invest in transit.
The demand for more transit in Durham Region is there, we need to invest in it.
Take action against the cuts!
On Thursday, January 11th at 6:30pm:
Durham Region is holding a budget town hall where residents can share feedback and help shape the 2024 budget.
There are multiple ways to participate.
You can attend the budget town hall via phone, or emailing budgets@durham.ca. For more information, visit yourvoice.durham.ca/durhambudget.
Here are 5 things you can do to support the $8 million budget increase which is proposed to be cut and advocate for additional funding to fund DRT's proposed service increases:
1. Email your regional councillor
Email your regional councilor for your riding in Durham Region. They are the people who vote on the budget. You can use our template in the document below.
2. Attend the Budget Town Hall via phone and livestream
Email budgets@durham.ca (by clicking the link) with your phone number and name before the event to register for it. More information and the livestream link at yourvoice.durham.ca/durhambudget
Email budgets@durham.ca (by clicking the link). You can use our template in the document below.
Sign our change.org petition: https://chng.it/DcVhGWDhwX
5. Share this campaign with people!
If you do not reside in Durham Region, you can still participate by emailing a regional councillor in a riding where you work/attend school, email or attend the budget town hall as a transit advocate, sign our petition and share our campaign.
Thank you for advocating for better transit!
TEMPLATE:
In Fall 2023, Durham Region Transit (DRT) saw a massive increase in ridership. In September 2023, ridership was 30% higher than pre-pandemic ridership in September 2019. DRT saw 1.5 million monthly riders and 67,000 daily riders on weekdays. This high ridership has caused many problems. Buses on the busiest routes are constantly full and buses often skip stops because they are full.
To adjust to demand, DRT cut service and redesigned routes on the least busy routes to improve service on the busiest routes. Due to there not being enough service hours for both services. These service changes took effect at the start of January 2024.
In a report released in December 2023, DRT stated that if resources were available, DRT would massively boost service on 15 routes today. This would require 195,000 additional service hours and 41 additional buses.
January 2024 Service
8 routes that operate at 15 minute frequencies or better in peak periods
2 routes that operate at 10 minute frequencies in peak periods
6 routes that operate at 15 minute frequencies or better until 7pm
2 routes that operate at 10 minute frequencies until 7pm
3 routes that operate at 15 minute frequencies until 7pm on weekends
Proposed Service Increases
7 additional routes that operate at 15 minute frequencies in peak periods
4 additional routes that operate at 10 minute frequencies in peak periods
10 additional routes that operate at 15 minute frequencies until 7pm
3 additional routes that operate at 10 minute frequencies until 7pm
5 additional routes that operate at 15 minute frequencies until 7pm on weekends
1 additional route that operates at 10 minute service on weekends
7.5 minute frequencies on route 900 in peak periods
5 minute frequencies on route 901 until 7pm
In the 2024 Durham Region Budget, over $8 million were planned to increase the budget of DRT. However, due to budget pressures, regional councilors decided to make cuts to DRT in a December 20th meeting. This means that the amount of service hours in 2024 will be the same as 2023. Which means less capacity, longer wait times, more packed buses, more passengers being left behind at stops, no room for ridership growth, and worse transit access.
If we care about combating climate change, creating opportunities, decreasing road accidents, providing equitable transportation, and reducing traffic. We need to invest in transit. The demand for more transit in Durham Region is there, we need to invest in it.
I request that Durham Region reinstate the $8 million budget increase for DRT which is now proposed to be cut. As well as further investments so DRT has the resources to implement the 195,000 additional service hours it is proposing. To combat climate change, create opportunities, decrease road accidents, help build efficient and sustainable housing, increase capacity, provide equitable transportation, reduce traffic, and serve existing and future demand,
[YOUR NAME HERE]
