Harvest Media Center
Mayor Proclaims Saturday, September 19 Free Transit Day in Fredericton
September 14, 2009
Fredericton—Mayor Brad Woodside has proclaimed Saturday, September 19 as Free Transit Day in Fredericton.
"I encourage everyone to leave their vehicles at home and ride any City bus for free all day long on September 19," said Mayor Woodside. "If you are heading to the market Saturday morning or downtown for the Harvest Jazz and Blues festival later on, leave your car at home and ride free with us."
The City of Fredericton, through its Green Matters campaign, is recognized as one of the leaders in Canada in reducing municipal greenhouse gas emissions and building community sustainability.
"One city bus can replace 40 vehicles on our streets, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions while promoting a healthy lifestyle," said Mayor Woodside.
Earlier this summer the City began a pilot project to reduce transit fares during evenings and all day Saturday in an effort to increase ridership during off-peak hours and to attract new customers. The pilot project, which ends October 31, 2009, allows riders to ride the bus for 50 cents on weekdays after 6:45 p.m. and all day Saturday.
Fredericton Transit operates 28 buses on nine routes, Monday to Saturday, 6:15 a.m. until 11 p.m., providing safe, affordable transportation.
The City's transit system, like others in the country, is designed to transport people from area to area, not door to door. The goal is to have buses travel along interconnected routes, moving passengers between residential and commercial areas of the city. In an effort to maintain a balance between municipal subsidy and transit fees, the goal is a 35-45 per cent cost recovery from users of the service.
For information on bus routes and schedules, visit www.fredericton.ca.
