Durham Region, DRT honoured by AMO for On Demand service

Durham Region has been awarded the 2022 Peter J Marshall Municipal Innovation Award for Durham Region Transit’s (DRT) On Demand service.

The award is given to municipal governments who demonstrate excellence in the use of innovative approaches to improve capital and/or operating efficiency and can point to tangible, measurable outcomes from new, more cost-effective ways of providing public services and facilities.

During the pandemic, DRT scaled up its On Demand service to meet the transit needs of residents and essential workers while mitigating operational pressures. The cost-effectiveness of the On Demand service has enabled DRT to further invest in scheduled service in main corridors, increasing frequency and convenience of transit; now with 24/7 service available. It also helped grow public transit ridership across the region.

“DRT is proud to have supported customers and residents with On Demand to ensure a seamless and convenient experience using transit,” said DRT General Manager Bill Holmes. “DRT will continue to pursue services that support enhanced access to public transit and growth of public transit ridership across the region.”

The award was presented to Durham CAO Elaine Baxter-Trahair and Clarington Adrian Foster who both attended the 2022 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference in Ottawa.

“This award demonstrates Durham Region’s continued focus on creating innovative services that gets residents and visitors where they need to go,” said Durham Regional Chair John Henry. “During the pandemic, DRT’s On Demand service was vital to essential workers and residents, providing a flexible and personal service delivery model with access to transit across Durham.”

The award is sponsored by AMO, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario, the Canadian Council for Public Private Partnerships, the Municipal Finance Officers’ Association, and the Ontario Municipal Administrators’ Association.

Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier, who chairs the Region’s Transit Executive Committee, said the on-demand service helped “balance operational pressures” while ensuring customers across Durham had access to transit. “It is clear, through this award and public use of On Demand, that DRT is committed to customer-focused services and forward-thinking solutions for public transit.”