Promising better routes, better schedules and, above all, better service, Greater Sudbury’s redesigned transit system — a.k.a. GOVA — takes effect today.
During this first week of the new GOVA service, riders can expect to find front-line “transit ambassadors” riding buses and stationed at key boarding locations to help passengers learn about new maps, route numbers, departure times and fare structures.
The city’s goal for GOVA is ambitious: to transform local public transit and 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.
Rider guides containing new routes and maps are available 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:
- Information on bus numbers, bus routes and schedules 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.
Other changes
If you live in Falconbridge, be aware buses are no longer travelling to or from the community as of today. Residents of Falconbridge and Skead can connect with Route 102 in Garson using GOVA Zone partner taxi companies. There is no additional charge for this service beyond regular transit fares.
The city advises residents of Falconbridge they can access a fixed route GOVA Zone service departing Lindsley at Rix at 5:34 a.m., 6:49 a.m., 3:48 p.m. and 5:18 p.m. Longyear at Rix is served a few minutes later.
Beginning today, departures from the downtown transit centre will provide transit service directly to the main entrance of the Sudbury Outpatient Centre on Route 3 Laurentian University via Regent. Buses depart every 30 minutes. There was some concern last week that patients with mobility issues will have to struggle uphill from the bus stop to the entrance, but the city said today it will be delivering patients right to the main entrance.
Buses travelling to the downtown transit centre will remain on Regent Street.
The city says GOVA will continue to monitor the new system and make further adjustments to improve efficiencies and service as needed.
Has your bus stop moved?
Some bus stops are moving to serve new transit routes, under the new GOVA system. Signs are posted on stops that are scheduled to close, directing riders to the next closest stop. Dtops may move across the street, if a bus now travels in one direction on a route and does not double back. In other cases, new stops will be installed just a short walk away. Check for your stop at GOVAtransit.ca.
If your bus stop has been posted for removal, and you can’t find your new stop, wave at the operator as your bus approaches. GOVA Transit will stop to pick you up, the city said.
As always, you can find the bus and bus stop you need, including real-time info on how long your wait is, by vising MyBus.GreaterSudbury.ca.
The city also offers a free online trip planner, power by Google Maps, to help you find the nearest bus stop, find the bus or route you need to get to your destination and inform you how long the trip will take. You can find the trip planner here.
For more info visit GOVAtransit.ca, call 705-675-3333 or visit the downtown transit centre.
