The city of Greater Sudbury will roll its new GOVA service, which promises to provide better routes, schedules and service to public transit users, starting Aug. 26.
GOVA will transform local public transit to offer higher frequency and more reliable service to the most popular destinations, improved Sunday and late evening service, easier to understand schedules and route information, and fares that reward frequent riders.
During the first week of the new GOVA service, front-line transit ambassadors will ride buses and be stationed at key boarding locations to help passengers learn about new maps, route numbers, departure times and fare structures.
Information is also available online at GOVAtransit.ca, by calling 705-675-3333 and at the downtown transit centre.
Rider guides containing new routes and maps will be available starting August 26 at Citizen Service Centres, the downtown transit centre and at retail locations selling transit passes and ride cards. A charge of $2 for each rider guide will help discourage paper waste.
Here’s what riders need to know leading up to the launch of improved public transit service:
- Bus numbers, bus routes and schedules will change starting August 26. Information is available online at GOVAtransit.ca to help riders plan for changes.
- Seamless connections between buses will be available at three transit hubs – Downtown, South End and New Sudbury – making routes and schedules easier to understand and navigate.
- Routes start earlier Mondays to Fridays and routes serving the highest ridership run more frequently.
- Weekend schedules start a little later than previously. The current Sunday schedule will be replaced with a service that is more consistent with Saturday.
- Some bus stops are moving to serve new transit routes. Signs are posted on stops that are scheduled to close, directing riders to the next closest stop.
- Neighbourhoods currently served by TransCab will continue to be served by GOVA Zone partner taxi companies to connect residents with conventional bus routes.
- Buses leaving from Lively will no longer travel directly to downtown Sudbury. Buses will connect in Copper Cliff to travel downtown or riders can remain on the Lively bus to travel to the South End Walmart.
- Buses will no longer travel to and from Falconbridge. Residents of Falconbridge and Skead will connect with bus routes in Garson using GOVA Zone partner taxi companies at no additional charge beyond regular transit fares.
- Transfers will remain in effect for 90 minutes and can be used on any transit route.
- Photo identification is no longer required for an adult 31-Day Pass, meaning it can be shared when not in use by the pass-holder.
- The cost of 31-Day Passes for adults and students is reduced compared with last year. Discounts remain for seniors age 65 plus and persons in receipt of a disability pension.
Online applications will help riders plan their new route. Beginning August 26, riders can find out when the next bus is due to arrive at their stop using mybus.greatersudbury.ca. Routes, times and bus stops are available using www.greatersudbury.ca/trip-planner.
Riders are encouraged to submit feedback about new GOVA Transit service. Transit planners will review issues as they arise.
Comments and questions can be submitted online at overtoyou.greatersudbury.ca, on paper at the downtown transit centre and to transit ambassadors between Aug. 26-30.
