 |
| There's transit in them there hills thanks to the legendary Harry Gow. Last month Gow announced his retirement from the local transit system serving communities in Quebec's Gatineau Hills north of Ottawa. |
The number of riders on "Transport Adapté" for persons with disabilities increased by nearly 20 per cent, so the growth rate of regular and adapted transit combined grew by a startling 76 per cent, while vehicle - kms dropped by about 25 per cent through increased sharing ofvehicles.
William Robertson, Director of the rural transit agency, and its Development Agent, Benoit Legros told those present at the annual meeting - including the Mayors of Val-des-Monts and of Chelsea - of progress towards the creation of a wider transit system in the Gatineau Hills. Plans approved by the MRC (County) Council and by the CRÉO (Regional Council) call for
the creation of regular commuter runs within the four "core" municiplaities of La Pêche, Val-des-Monts, Chelsea and Cantley, and from them into the city of Gatineau.
The new system promises increased service, with savings to the taxpayer relative to the existing system's costs.
At the meeting Harry Gow announced that he is retiring as President of the Board of the rural transit agency, but was gratified to learn he is now an Honorary Member - and will continue as the delegate to the Québec Rural Transit Association (ATCRQ). His place as president is now occupied by Caryl Green, the Mayor of Chelsea, to whom he wishes success in this new role.
Gow, who founded Transport Action Canada, also thanked the Board and management of the rural transit agency for their support and hard work over the last decade, without which none of this progress would have been possible.