Taylor Clark

LJI Reporter

With the impending expansion of the Cégep de l’Outaouais’ Gabrielle-Roy campus, the Société

de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) has launched a public consultation to review and improve the

service offered in the Aylmer and Plateau sectors.

Last October, the Government of Quebec announced major investments to expand the Gabrielle-

Roy campus that would allow the Cégep to welcome an additional 1,500 students and offer new

programs in the coming years.

“Inevitably, this will increase all the demands for transport,” said STO’s public affairs manager

José Lafleur. “That’s why we’re reconsidering what type of service we’re offering toward the

Cégep.”

With travel time running long to the Cégep, Lafleur said STO planned to optimize service by

including new circuits and schedules for routes 49, 50, 52, and 56, as well as discontinuing route

54. The proposed changes were the reflection of comments received by students, riders, and

drivers, along with ridership data.

To facilitate the changes, a complete overhaul of the Gabrielle-Roy terminal was expected to take

place during the summer. Lafleur said the infrastructure, which is over 20 years old, no longer

meets today’s standards or operational needs like hosting regular or articulated buses.

The redevelopment will incorporate 12 platforms suitable for articulated buses, accessible

facilities, five double bus shelters, two semi-enclosed heated waiting areas, new urban furniture,

and message boards for travellers. The STO assured that the construction work would have

minor impacts on its transportation service. The new terminus is anticipated to be up and

operational once the school year kicks off and fall service starts at the end of August.

The online questionnaire regarding the service changes can be completed up until March 17 at

www.sto.ca/consultation. The feedback will be used to refine the initial service proposal.

Photo caption: The Société de transport de l’Outaouais offers a rendering of the new look for the

Gabrielle-Roy terminal to facilitate new service changes.

Photo credit: Société de transport de l’Outaouais Website