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Deseronto Transit

Bentley

By Bentley
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Bentley

Bentley

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Just saw today a D35 on Dundas near Haig with Deseronto Transit on the side. Am I out of the loop on this one Or does anybody know anything more?

MiExpress

MiExpress

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Posted
Just saw today a D35 on Dundas near Haig with Deseronto Transit on the side. Am I out of the loop on this one Or does anybody know anything more?

There was a transit service started in Deseronto in August, but only using a cutaway van........

Belleville 0457

Belleville 0457

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Posted
Just saw today a D35 on Dundas near Haig with Deseronto Transit on the side. Am I out of the loop on this one Or does anybody know anything more?

Deseronto Transit have purchased a D35 from Capital Bus sales, it has just gone into service.

They also operate a blue ex school bus, and a silver grey Dodge Caravan with the DTS logo

general682002

general682002

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Deseronto Transit have purchased a D35 from Capital Bus sales, it has just gone into service.

They also operate a blue ex school bus, and a silver grey Dodge Caravan with the DTS logo

Is this former Napanee Transit?

MiExpress

MiExpress

Posted
Posted
Deseronto Transit have purchased a D35 from Capital Bus sales, it has just gone into service.

They also operate a blue ex school bus, and a silver grey Dodge Caravan with the DTS logo

If anyone is wondering more details about the bus they got...Click Here

IRT_BMT_IND

IRT_BMT_IND

Posted
Posted
Is this former Napanee Transit?

Napanee transit ran a white cutaway I believe.

The fact that Deseronto transit is buying an actual transit bus must indicate that the service is at least somewhat successful. (also, does anyone know where I can get a copy of the schedule, I can't find one online)

Bentley

Bentley

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When I first saw it from a distance my first thought was did Belleville just purchase a second hand New Flyer? What other cities in Canada operated D35's?

a.dicion

a.dicion

Posted
Posted
What other cities in Canada operated D35's?

The only municipalities where I know for sure D35's are operating are in Grand Prairie, Alberta and Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. There was a D35 operating for Aeroport de Montreal, Autobus Connaisseur or Le Quebecois (one of them, can't remember which one) as a shuttle bus at YUL (Dorval International). Although last time I was at Dorval though, I made note of a LFS running the shuttle.

Bentley

Bentley

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The only municipalities where I know for sure D35's are operating are in Grand Prairie, Alberta and Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. There was a D35 operating for Aeroport de Montreal, Autobus Connaisseur or Le Quebecois (one of them, can't remember which one) as a shuttle bus at YUL (Dorval International). Although last time I was at Dorval though, I made note of a LFS running the shuttle.

Off the top of your head, how many in the the U.S.?

a.dicion

a.dicion

Posted
Posted
Off the top of your head, how many in the the U.S.?

I highly doubt the ones Atlanta, Oakland, and Santa Cruz are in service anymore. With American systems replacing their fleets more frequently than Canadian systems, I would surprised if any are still kicking around somewhere in the United States.

Gil

Gil

Posted
Posted
Is there an online map of their transit service? I looked on the town website, but couldn't find anything.

Still looking for a map, but came across a few articles from the Belleville Intelligencer which gives a general idea of the two routes.

Bus service helps get people working

Posted By Stephen Petrick

The new Deseronto Transit Service is driving, not just passengers, but new hope for the tiny waterfront town.

And those who helped start the service, which takes residents into Belleville each day for work in a blue-painted school bus, would be thrilled to keep its wheels turning for another year.

On Wednesday, Hastings/Quinte Joint Social Services Committee members voted to endorse the town's request for $25,000 toward the $100,000 yearly budget for the bus service.

County council will review the recommendation in budget deliberations next month.

The vote took place after passionate pleas by Deseronto Deputy Mayor Clarence Zieman and Hastings social services director Eric Fry who praised the bus as an example of how the county's employment connection program is helping people find jobs.

"It has done something for our community," Zieman said, explaining that people at the town's food bank are starting to say, "I'm not coming back, because I know I have a job."

The service was launched in August with a $225,000 provincial government grant.

Previously, Deseronto residents who were out of work and had no means of transportation, had no way to access Belleville's booming job market. But since the bus started making trips every morning, 70 people in the town have found work in Belleville - well over the 40-job goal organizers had set.

Even more impressive, Fry pointed out, is that the new jobs are saving the county $375,000 in social assistance cheques, as 30 people are totally off assistance and another 40 are on partial assistance.

The bus is a good news story for a town that's had its share of hard luck over the years.

At Wednesday's meeting, Fry told committee members that Deseronto was his first beat when he started as a social worker, back in the recession of the early '80s.

"I can't tell you how bad the situation was," he said.

But he said with new companies moving into Belleville every year, willing workers throughout the region are now in high demand.

By working with companies such as Procter and Gamble and Kellogg, the town was able to put together a bus route which drops people off at major employment centres.

Officials are now working closely with Belleville Transit to integrate a route into its system and trying to encourage its partnering employers to help fund the service.

And politicians are now pondering if a similar bus service could work in other parts of county.

"There's no public or private system in the central area of the county," said Marmora and Lake Reeve Terry Clemons. "Maybe we've planted the seed for someone to come in."

Since starting the service, Deseronto has purchased a seven-passenger van for midnight runs for shift workers.

The blue school bus is also helping people in Deseronto, Napanee and Prince Edward County get to Loyalist College each day for courses that can upgrade their skills.

Evelin Wannamaker, a Napanee resident enrolled in prep courses she'll need to begin an automotive program, said without the service her only way to get to the college would be to hitchhike.

"It's awesome. I love it," she said of the new bus service as she chatted with friends and fellow riders at a transfer point Wednesday.

Justin Green, a Deseronto resident studying early childhood education at Loyalist, said he's grateful for the money the bus saves him.

He used to spend $70 on gas a week, but now pays $130 for a monthly pass. A round trip from Deseronto to Belleville is $12.

"It's a lot cheaper," Green said.

[email protected]

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Deseronto transit a model for new systems

Deseronto has a winning idea in its new transit service.

And those who have laboured to make it a success deserve to be lauded for making the small town dream a reality.

The Deseronto Transit Service, which takes residents into Belleville each day for work or to attend college, has given new hope to many residents of this small community. Until the service started last summer, those without vehicles were left with few job options.

Today, however, the transit service - launched in August with a $225,000 provincial government grant - ferries 70 people into the city for work saving the county $375,000 in social assistance cheques.

As a result, 30 people are totally off assistance and another 40 are on partial assistance.

The bus service is truly a case a perseverance paying off.

The concept of a bus service began six years ago, when librarian Frances Smith, Hastings County job information clerk Lori Brooks and others put their heads together.

It ended last August with a government cheque to hire part-time drivers, open an office at 320 Edmon St. and supply a van and a bus. Napanee and Belleville routes run seven days a week two to four times a day. Deseronto has purchased a seven-passenger van for midnight runs for shift workers. Users pay $130 for a monthly pass to help offset costs.

On the Belleville route, the bus stops at the industrial park, Stream, the bus terminal and York Road and Old Highway 2 on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.

The Napanee route stops at Wal-Mart, the Napanee Mall, John and Mill streets and the hospital. There are also daily trips to Picton and Wellington.

Many hope this service will continue far into the future, and there's no reason why it shouldn't.

  • 4 weeks later...
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