New bus stop signs for public transit for County and Belleville

Announcing the launch of new Deseronto Transit bus stop signs, from left, are: Grace Nyman, Community Development Coordinator with Susan Stolarchuck of Deseronto Transit, Brittany Roberts, Community Care for Seniors, Sami Lester, Quinte Youth Unlimited – PECI, Mayor Robert Quaiff, Deseronto Transit Driver Rob Roblin and Neil Carbone, Community Development Director.

Prince Edward County’s public transportation provider, Deseronto Transit, now has nine official bus stops in Picton and Bloomfield, and additional signage to promote its services.

“Since our partnership began in 2014, ridership has been steadily rising and last year we experienced a five per cent increase in Prince Edward County, and a 27 per cent increase overall,” says Susan Stolarchuk, Administrator of Deseronto Transit. “Riders are using the service for transportation to day-to-day activities like getting to work, medical appointments, and education.”

Stolarchuk notes the bus service also makes on-demand stops, if booked, throughout the County, to VIA Rail, Loyalist College and other Belleville stops, and can make arrangements to drop riders off at their workplace in Belleville.

Through a survey completed in 2014 by the Vital Signs Transit Group, it was discovered that 21 per cent of people living in the County have heard of Deseronto Transit, but didn’t know what it did or that they could use the service.

As a result, the County’s Community Development Department and Deseronto Transit worked together to map out strategic locations for bus stops. The signs include the expected arrival time of the bus and the contact information for Deseronto Transit.

“We anticipate that the presence of the permanent bus stop signs will serve to build awareness of the service for residents in Prince Edward County, and that in turn, the ridership will continue to increase,” states Stolarchuk.

“We [council and staff] are excited to see the outcomes of the partnership we’ve made with Deseronto Transit,” said Mayor Robert Quaiff. “It is encouraging to see the progress being made to address the transit needs of our residents.”

Quaiff noted at Tuesday’s unveiling of the sign that local social services statistics showed many County residents between the ages of 25-35, who are collecting assistance, have no form of transportation and that he hopes this service will help address that problem.

Operating in Prince Edward County Monday through Friday, a set public transit route travels through Picton and Bloomfield, and on to Belleville, four times a day. There are no restrictions to use the service and wheelchair accessible service is also available, but requires 24-hour notice if possible. Fares are paid in cash to the bus driver.

Regular bus stops are located at the following locations:
• Crystal Palace at the Picton Fairgrounds, 375 Main Street, Picton
• Picton Medical Clinic, 389 Main Street, Picton
• Prince Edward Collegiate Institute, 41 Barker Street, Picton
• Metro, 73 Main Street West, Picton
• Picton United Church, 6 Chapel Street, Picton
• Macaulay Church, 23 Church Street, Picton
• London Avenue Park, London Avenue, Picton
• Bloomfield Post Office, 263 Main Street, Bloomfield
• Bloomfield United Church, 272 Main Street, Bloomfield

Printed copies of the schedule are available at a number of locations including Shire Hall, County of Prince Edward Public Libraries, Picton Medical Clinic cafeteria area, Community Care for Seniors, Service Canada and the Bloomfield Post Office. The fares, routes and schedule are also listed below.

Deseronto Transit operates a regional public transportation system delivering service to areas in Prince Edward County, Lennox & Addington County and Hastings County. In June of 2014, Deseronto Transit Service was granted authorization by Prince Edward County Council to expand its service to pick up and deliver riders within and outside of the County.

Scheduled service Monday to Friday. All times with *asterisks and in red are on request only. You must call the office to arrange pickups at those locations. For details, call Deseronto Transit at 613-396-4008. ‘Like’ Deseronto Transit on Facebook for up-to-date information