Students in Aylmer express frustration as overpacked buses pass them by
Tashi Farmilo
Students in Aylmer have been growing increasingly frustrated as they face overcrowded buses that often zip by without picking them up. This issue has raised concerns among the student population, leading to a dialogue between the affected students and the Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO), the public bus company serving the region.
An anonymous student expressed her frustrations with the local transportation system. She shared, “One morning, the bus that could get me to school on time was so full, they turned me away. Considering the recent start of the high school term, such issues seem to be a growing concern.” Numerous peers have voiced similar experiences, emphasizing the problematic delays in their school commutes.
The problem came to light following the recent launch of the STO's new autumn service on August 28. The adjustments to the bus routes were made in response to manpower challenges and a need to allocate drivers where the demand was highest, primarily on major routes. However, this restructuring seems to have inadvertently left some students in Aylmer without reliable transportation to their schools.
Josée Laflore, a representative from the STO, explained the situation: "We are well aware of the issues faced by customers on the public transport network. This autumn, due to manpower challenges, we optimized the assignment of drivers in order to have more capacity where it is most needed, such as on major routes. Since the new autumn service came into effect on August 28, the STO has been in observation mode because travel habits, both by public transit and by car, are changing on the road network."
Laflore further explained that the STO is actively monitoring various factors, including customer and driver feedback, smartcard validations, automatic passenger counters, journey times, overloads, and the number of cars in park-and-ride facilities. This data is crucial for making informed adjustments to the bus routes and schedules.
Students have been encouraged to check their travel options on the STO's Plani-bus website or by contacting Customer Service at 819 770-3242. Additionally, anyone with a flexible schedule is advised to consider traveling on less busy days, such as Mondays and Fridays.
To address the issue of overcrowding and improve the overall service, the STO is awaiting the delivery of nine articulated hybrid buses by early 2024 and is actively recruiting 20 to 30 new bus drivers. Interested individuals who want to make a difference in their community are encouraged to apply for positions at the STO through their careers page.
While these measures are being taken to rectify the situation, it's important to note that the recent service changes are still in their early stages, and the STO is closely monitoring and analyzing data to make necessary adjustments. The challenges arising from changing travel patterns, especially with students returning to school and commuters getting back to work, have contributed to the strain on the bus service.
In light of these challenges, the STO acknowledges the frustrations faced by Aylmer students and is committed to finding solutions that provide reliable and efficient transportation for all its passengers. The STO aims to strike a balance between optimizing resources and meeting the needs of its diverse clientele.
As the STO continues to work on resolving the issues surrounding overcrowded buses, students and other passengers are encouraged to stay informed about service changes and travel options while remaining patient during this transition period.
For more information on bus routes, service updates, and career opportunities with the STO, please visit www.sto.ca
Photo caption: Overcrowded buses in Aylmer leave students feeling frustrated.
Photo credit: Tashi Farmilo
