First, I noticed an add in today’s Ajax News-Advertiser (and presumably in the other local Metroland papers) about the DRT fare increases. Granted it wasn’t a large add and it was buried a bit further back in the paper than it could have been, but it was there. Still, given that the cost of advertising effectively on their own site is, well, free – why isn’t it on the home page?
Second, and a more important item, is that DRT will finally complete migrating their route numbers to the new three digit system at the end of July. In this system, three digit route numbers are assigned with the first digits reading as follows:
- 1 = Pickering
- 2 = Ajax
- 3 = Whitby
- 4 = Oshawa
- 5 = Clarington
- 9 = Regional routes
Some routes have already been moved, but DRT has waiting for their older buses with roll signs to retire before completing the migration. This having been done, they are going forward now.
I’m not thrilled with the three digit system – it’s overly complex and it does not provide good ways to identify high school specials, evening and Sunday routes, and flag/community bus routes separately from other routes. But at least we will finally see the end of the duplicate route numbers that have existed since DRT was formed.
[...] include the fare increases and most importantly and a great “milestone” to some, the elimination of duplicate route numbers all across the Durham Region. Examples of duplication include 6 White Oaks/Downtown Whitby/Oshawa and 6 Dean. Now these routes [...]