Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

The MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent wants to make waiting for the bus more comfortable across the region. It is installing eleven bus shelters in strategic locations along three public transportation bus routes that run through the Haut-Saint-Laurent, Sainte-Martine, and Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.

Public and adapted transport coordinator Michelle Beauchesne confirms all eleven shelters are expected to be installed by the end of March; however, winter conditions could lead to some delays.

The total cost to purchase and install the shelters is $171,268, of which 90 per cent is covered by the Société de Financement des Infrastructures Locales du Quebec’s public transportation capital assistance program and the Ministère des Transports du Québec.

Beauchesne sys the the MRC decided to invest in bus shelters to provide individuals with protection from adverse weather conditions while waiting at exposed or busy bus stops.

The MRC operates three bus routes on weekdays, which are available at no cost to Haut-Saint-Laurent residents. From January to November of last year, the bus was used at least 24,340 times, with local stops in Huntingdon, Ormstown, Godmanchester, Hinchinbrooke, Saint-Anicet, Sainte-Barbe, Howick, Très-Saint-Sacrement, and Franklin.

At least 9506 trips were provided by the MRC’s door-to-door adapted transport service in 2024.

The MRC announced in December that the Taxibus, an on-demand public transport service, would be suspended after calls for tender for a service provider went unanswered.

Beauchesne says a total of 33 individuals used that service in 2024, including six regular users who represent the vast majority of the 394 trips provided last year.

She confirms the service is still at a standstill, noting the MRC is considering different solutions including new service providers and carpooling. In the meantime, regular users have been redirected to the free bus service.