Trent University Oshawa students, faculty and staff commuting from the GTA will be happy to learn about the new PULSE Bus being launched by Durham Region Transit on June 29, 2013. On June 14, 2013, Trent Oshawa student and representative of the Trent Oshawa Student Association Brittney Forester attended the celebration of the pending launch on June 14, where she got a preview of the new buses that will run along the Highway 2 corridor between Oshawa and the Scarborough U of T campus.

“The new Ontario government is committed to improving public transit in Durham Region and across the province,” said Tracy MacCharles, MPP for Pickering-Scarborough East. “DRT Pulse improves transit rider integration with TTC and GO Transit and will help commuters get where they need to be sooner, ease congestion on our roads and strengthen Ontario’s economy.”

“The new drt PULSE 900 route is high frequency service with convenient transfers to local DRT routes along Highway 2 and a connection to TTC in Scarborough. Since Durham Region Transit was formed in 2006, ridership has grown by 50%. Our Long-Term Transit Strategy lays out a 20-year plan to dramatically improve our transit network. The new DRT PULSE service is a critical building block of this strategy. We anticipate 1.2 million passengers a year will use the service,” said Regional Chair and CEO of the Regional Municipality of Durham Roger Anderson and Chair of the Transit Executive Committee.

The Province of Ontario committed $82.3 million to support the project and Durham Region is contributing the balance of the $100 million project.

“The DRT PULSE fare to U of T is the most cost efficient fare for travel across Durham Region and into Toronto. The standard DRT fares apply to the DRT PULSE 900 route. Durham Region residents can now use a DRT fare rate to travel to Toronto and connect with the TTC.

DRT passengers transferring to GO buses at Scarborough U of T are eligible for a co-fare discount and will pay only 65 cents per trip on all DRT routes including drt PULSE 900. Use your PRESTO card to qualify for the discount”, said DRT General Manager Ted Galinis.

The new DRT PULSE 900 route will operate with a dedicated fleet of uniquely branded vehicles.  Look for the distinguishing orange colour on the DRT PULSE fleet. Bus stops are easy to identify with orange DRT PULSE signs that feature connecting local DRT route numbers for easy transfers.                       

DRT PULSE will operate:

• Weekday Service 5 a.m. to 1:45 a.m.
• 7.5 minutes peak - 15 minutes midday
• 30 minutes evening - 60 minutes after 11 p.m.
• Last bus departs U of T Scarborough at 1 a.m.
• Saturday Service 7 a.m. to 1:45 a.m.
• 15 minutes daytime - 30 minutes morning & evening
• 60 minutes service after 8 p.m.
• Sunday / Holiday Service 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• 30 minute service daytime
• 60 minute service early morning and after 6 p.m.

For map and schedule information and to find out more about the new transit options on Highway 2 visit www.durhamregiontransit.com or call 1-866-247-0055.