New Rapibus system has launched in Gatineau

The new Rapibussystem, the citys overhauled public transportation system, openedSaturday with a weekendof free bus service in Gatineau.

The new system includes a bus, called the Rapibus, which travels along a dedicated 12-kilometrecorridor from Labrosse Boulevard in the citys east end to Alexandre-Tach Boulevard near the Ottawa River.

Gatineaus transit authority is changing all routes in Gatineau, Cantley, Masson-Angers and Buckingham so they filter to the main Rapibus path.

This eliminates express route buses while regular routes take riders to Rapibus stations.

High-frequency red route to Ottawa

There is also a new high-frequency red route for passengers heading to downtown Ottawa that will use reserved lanes along des Allumettires and Maisonneuve boulevards.

There should only be one connection from a residents home to a Rapibus station, according to the transit authority, and half of riders will have faster travel times.

Officials add another third will have the same travel time and some will be left with longer travel times.

In total, the new bus system cost the City of Gatineauabout $255million.

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