STO sees bump in January ridership

Gatineau's public transportation system boosted its ridership numbers by 3.7 per cent in January.

Socit de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) attributes the bump to the introduction of their social fare a lower fare rate for individuals living below the poverty line which came into effect Jan. 1.

The social fare is 30 per cent less than the regular fare for both the monthly and single passes.

STO has received600 requests for social fares so far.

Myriam Nadeau, STO's president, is aiming to spread similar fares across the province. She has recently been appointedvice-chair of the board of directors for L'Association du transport urbain du Qubec (L'ATUQ).

"One of my interests in this position is to be able to bring the option of social pricing acrossQubec," Nadeau told Radio-Canada in French.

L'ATUQ represents nine transportation systems inQuebec, including Montreal andQubecCity.