Feasibility Study for the Implementation of a Taxibus Service

Type of initiative FCM Green Municipal Fund - Plans, Studies, Pilots
Sector Transportation
Project value$25,000
Project Type Feasibility Study
Sub Sector Public Transit
Grant amount$12,500
Program type GMF
Municipality Ville de Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC
Status Fully Disbursed
Population 18,859
Project timeline 2009 - 2010
Project number 10225

Description

The Town of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, in partnership with the Town of Otterburn Park, evaluated the feasibility of replacing two bus circuits (one in each town, both operated by the Conseil intermunicipal de transport de la vallée du Richelieu, (CITVR)) with a shared taxi service called Taxibus. The goal was to improve the sustainability of public transportation and better respond to the needs of the population. In 2009, both towns had pledged to work towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and to promote the use of public and active transportation. Moreover, the CITVR intended to provide better services to the towns’ clientele. The Taxibus was expected to reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 32 to 79 tonnes. It would also contribute to a better quality of life for its inhabitants and to a reduction of expenses associated with operating public transportation services. This feasibility study acted as useful reference for other Canadian municipalities, particularly sparsely populated suburban towns considering shared taxi services as an alternative to traditional public transportation.
(Project description from original funding application)

Applicant

Ville de Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC