For Immediate Release
Apr. 29, 2008, 11:48 a.m.
New Kingston Transit Guide Shows Improvements
New Bus Route Runs From 401 To Queen's Through Downtown
Starting May 5, Kingston Transit will start service to the Multiplex and is adding a new bus route.
During peak weekday hours, Route 19 will run from Highway 401 and Montreal St. through downtown - down Montreal, King and Stuart Streets - to Kingston General Hospital. Then up University Avenue to Union Street, the centre of Queen's University, back again along King and Montreal Streets.
"A park-and-ride lot is being built at the 401 and Montreal Streets. The new route will make it easy for commuters, and north-end residents to get to their downtown jobs without having to switch buses at Brock and Bagot Streets," says Paula Nichols, Manager of Transit and Parking.
Route 19 is included in the new Rider's Guide now available on all buses. Here are some other changes Kingston Transit is making this year:
- Route A will soon be accessible (watch for announcements) and will enter the Multiplex during daytime service once it opens on May 30. The Multiplex site will act as a park-and-ride location for west-end commuters.
- Route 1 will service Gardiners Road to the Multiplex (at Fortune Crescent) evenings and Sundays (it will not enter the site until the Multiplex opens).
- Routes 2 and C will now meet at Coach Canada to allow passengers from the Division North area to transfer without waiting and have a more direct route to the Kingston Centre and Cataraqui Town Centre, or to travel to Clyde Industrial Park without waiting.
Residents are invited to assess the transit improvements when they ride for free on Clean Air Day, Wednesday, June 4.
"With high gas prices, limited downtown parking and growing concerns over air quality, taking the bus to work and school is a better idea than ever," says Nichols.
Further improvements are planned for this fall, including: the introduction of smart cards which can be conveniently pre-loaded with fares (coins will continue be accepted), and an automated calling of stops system.
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Media contact information:
Paula Nichols, Manager of Transit and Parking, at 613-546-4291, ext. 2392. Or call the City of Kingston's media hotline at 613-546-4291, ext 2300.
