LEARNING TO USE PUBLIC TRANSIT PROGRAM NOW OFFERED IN 3 SCHOOL BOARDS

Longueuil, March 10, 2017 – The Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL), in partnership with the Riverside School Board and the Commission scolaire des Patriotes, is proud to announce the launch of the Learning to use public transit program for students with special needs. Designed to help young passengers become as independent as possible and always with a focus on inclusivity, this program aims to meet the students’ growing mobility needs with a solution that is more flexible than paratransit services.

“We’re proud of this program, which has been very popular with the school boards. Everyone who’s been through it has loved it! It’s been a highly successful experiment in autonomy,” concluded Colette Éthier, Chairman of the RTL Board of Directors.

“The Riverside School Board is very pleased with its new partnership with the RTL and its Learning to use public transit program for students with special needs. Now our students will have the opportunity to test out and learn how to use the public transit system in a safe way. Being able to ride the bus will make a huge difference in the students’ level of independence. Congratulations on this wonderful initiative!” stated Dan Lamoureux, Chairman of the Riverside School Board.

“The Commission scolaire des Patriotes is proud to be associated with the RTL’s Learning to use public transit program for special-needs students. It recognizes the importance of teaching students with disabilities, adjustment disorders, or learning disabilities—who will eventually be able to use public transit—the skills that will help them to get around better on their own,” stated Alain Langlois, Vice-Chairman of the Commission scolaire des Patriotes.

“In addition to encouraging the students to be more independent, this program, which has been available in our school board since 2014, has positive spin-offs such as improving the kids’ self-esteem. This agreement is the result of several partners coming together to join forces to do great things for students in need. It’s one small step for our organizations, but a giant leap for the kids in the special needs classes, and especially for their social integration, which also plays a big part in their academic success!” emphasized Carole Lavallée, Chairman of the Commission scolaire Marie-Victorin.

Learning to use public transit program
The purpose of this program is to provide special-needs students with free access to the RTL’s regular service outside of peak hours. A user guide and training programs have been developed to help teachers guide their students through their first experience with the public transit system. This promising initiative is in line with the RTL’s shift toward more customer-focused services and its desire to offer solutions tailored to the specific needs of its users.

About the RTL

The Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL) is the main transit provider for individuals within the five cities that comprise the Agglomération de Longueuil. The third-largest public transit organization in Québec, the RTL operates a network of 793 kilometers. With some 1,100 employees, the RTL is a major employer that contributes to the economic vitality of the region.

Ever receptive to its users, the RTL plays a key role in the lives of the people and the communities it serves by providing solutions that are efficient, innovative, and adapted to the evolving needs of its clientele. Improving quality of life for the citizens of the Agglomération de Longueuil is a top priority for the RTL.



Sources:   

Dominic Ratthé

Conseiller en partenariat

Réseau de transport de Longueuil

450442-8600, poste 8330

dratthe@rtl-longueuil.qc.ca