Express_2013_11_22

ACTUALITÉ • NEWS

editionap.ca

School board wants to accelerate shared bus route RICHARD MAHONEY richard.mahoney@eap.on.ca

route” means that a single bus accom- plishes one run carrying students from one board, then accomplishes a second run carrying students from the other board. Among the other ways the board has ben- efitted through its participation in the con- sortium is that STEO has a vehicle capacity rate of 80 per cent. The high rate indicates

that STEO is utilizing its fleet effectively. Over the next five years, the goal of STEO is to increase double route busing to 50 per cent of all students transported, and to increase students riding at the same time, same bus to 25 per cent of the bused popu- lation. Statistics released at the Board’s Regular Meeting October 23 suggest the overall ca-

pacity rate of buses contracted by STEO is extremely high and that the use of shared vehicles is rising – indicating that UCDSB students are benefiting from an improving operation, said First Vice Chair Jeff McMil- lan. “Staffmembers at STEO are really working hard to be as efficient as they can,” said Mc- Millan. “We are seeing real growth.”

BROCKVILLE | The Upper Canada District School Board wants to accelerate the transition to double bus routes in order to make the Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario busing consortium more efficient. Trustees recently adopted a resolu- tion asking STEO to undertake a feasibil- ity study to accomplish the consortium’s shared busing targets in a shorter period of time. STEO is a consortium established be- tween the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO) and the UCDSB to administer transportation. STEO transports 35,000 students daily. The use of shared busing has in- creased. The number of students rid- ing shared routes has risen from 2.5 per cent last year to 7 per cent of the bused population. It represents an increase from 875 last year to 2,500 students this year. Shared busing means that stu- dents from both boards are riding on the same bus at the same time. The number of students riding double bus routes has also increased from 8 per cent to 18 per cent of the bused popula- tion. This represents an increase in stu- dents riding double routes from 2,800 last year to 6,300 this school year. A “double

Let’s make a deal on grass: car dealers

of arriving at lease agreements with the dealerships. “We all help make up part of the growing economy in Hawkesbury and feel that this land would allow us to showcase the best products and specials in our vehicle inven- tory line-up to bring in this vital revenue,”

according to the dealers’ letter. They pledge to maintain and cut the grass in front of their property on a regular basis, repair any damage to the grass and park vehicles and signs far enough away from the curb and intersections as to not obstruct the view of drivers.

RICHARD MAHONEY RICHARD.MAHONEY@EAP.ON.CA

HAWKESBURY| After being told to get off town grass, Hawkesbury’s automobile dealerships want to negotiate agree- ments so they can continue to use the valuable strips beside their lots. “The land in front of the dealerships is ‘prime real estate’ used to attract more cus- tomers,” reads a letter from seven car deal- ers. The offer to work out agreements came after the municipality in May advised the car businesses they could no longer use town property to promote their vehicles. The town cited complaints, safety concerns, “conflicts of use, abuse of the privilege but especially the legal responsibility of the Town” as reasons for the decision. When dealers asked the town to reverse the move, the municipality began talks with the goal

Solar projects get green light The installation of more solar panels in Vankleek Hill’s industrial park has received the green light from Champlain Township. Council has given its moral support for the installation of rooftop power-generating panels at the Beau’s Brewery and Martel & Sons Inc. buildings on Terry Fox Drive. The endorsement may help accelerate the proponents’ applications for feed-in tariff contracts with the Ontario Power Authority. Projects that have the formal support of municipalities will be awarded priority points that may result in the applicants being awarded FIT contracts prior to other applicants.

Enrol in peaksaver PLUS ®

By enrolling in peaksaver PLUS , you will receive a FREE programmable thermostat . Properly programming your thermostat you can save up to 10% on energy costs. PLUS , you can see and manage your electricity use at home with your FREE Energy Display all year. You’ll see how much you can save by simply unplugging appliances or switching off your lights.

Call 1-866-813-2226 or visit hawkesbury.saveonenergy.ca/ peaksaver PLUS

Participation in the peaksaver PLUS ® program is subject to terms and conditions,which can be viewed at saveonenergy.ca .Funded by the Ontario PowerAuthority and offered by Hydro Hawkesbury.A mark of the Province of Ontario protected under Canadian trade-mark law.Used under sublicence. OM Official Mark of the Ontario PowerAuthority.Used under licence. peaksaver PLUS ® is a trade-mark ofToronto Hydro Corporation.Used under licence.Must have a central air conditioner and/or electric water heater in good working order to participate.Limited time offer.

Made with FlippingBook HTML5