Commuter route adds racetrack park and ride
Posted Feb 12, 2010 By John Nelson
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Tweet ThisEMC News Dan Grant thinks it's a pretty safe bet that a park and ride is just what people in the area of the Rideau-Carleton Raceway need to get them onto his daily commuter coach to downtown Ottawa.
Mr. Grant, proprietor of South Mountain Stagecoach/Transit, has reached a deal with the raceway and, he told the EMC Feb. 1, expected the have the lot fully operational and appropriately signed by Feb. 7.
"We have an agreement to use the parking lot already," he explained. "We now have a park and ride to go along with our regular stop."
The new park-and-ride is just steps from the existing Albion Rd. stop on South Mountain Stagecoach's daily run from Inkerman to downtown Ottawa in the morning and back in the afternoon.
Mr. Grant said he has been assessing the need for a park and ride in the area and credited residents with helping make the decision.
"Our customers asked us and we have again responded to their needs," he said.
South Mountain Stagecoach/Transit's Monday-to-Friday route, which is considered Route 565 by OC Transpo, departs the Inkerman United Church parking lot at 6:15 a.m. and arrives at its final destination of Lebreton Flats at 7:47 a.m. Coming back, the coach leaves at 4:30 p.m. and gets back to Inkerman at 6:07 p.m.
Monthly passes are available and widely used by Mr. Grant's passengers, the majority of whom work in the city. The passes are accepted on OC Transpo routes as well.
Daily fares range from $13 to $15.
The Rideau-Carleton park and ride is the sixth such facility for passengers.
In addition to the Inkerman United Church lot, the other park and rides are located at the South Mountain Fairgrounds, the post office parking lot in Mountain, county roads 43 and 1 in Hallville and the Foodland Mall parking lot on Main St. Osgoode.
"They're convenient locations," noted Mr. Grant. "You can't get any better. It's kind of a win-win for everybody."
Restaurants and shops near the park and rides get a boost in customer traffic, while commuters can leave their vehicles in highly visible locations. The benefits are a little more direct in Inkerman, for example, where Mr. Grant's company takes care of the church's snow removal needs in exchange for use of the lot.
Mr. Grant added that customers who live along the Stagecoach route are picked up just steps from their doorsteps.
South Mountain Stagecoach/Transit began service to Ottawa on March 31 of last year.
"There wasn't anything at all," Mr. Grant explained. "I thought to myself 'Here's a niche'."
Passengers ride in a deluxe motor coach, while not having to contend with traffic, wear and tear on their own vehicles and other operating expenses.
"We wanted to have comfort and safety and get people out of their cars," he said, noting the environmental benefits of taking the bus.
For further information on South Mountain Stagecoach/Transit call 613-989-2552 or visit their website at www.smtntransit.com.
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