Ajax Transit
Encyclopedia
Ajax Transit was the former public transit operator in the Town of Ajax, Ontario
. Ajax Transit and Pickering Transit
were merged on September 4, 2001 to form the Ajax Pickering Transit Authority
. APTA was itself merged into Durham Region Transit
on January 1, 2006.
, which operated service using a fleet of school bus
es, with heaviest ridership between the Pickering Beach area and downtown Ajax.
In the late 1970s, public transit buses were acquired and began operations on the Elm, Duffins, and Beach routes, which exist to this day. In the early 1980s, the Harwood, Westney Heights, and Village routes began service. Service on the Puckrin route began in the late 1980s.
In 1985, Ajax built a new transit garage and offices near the location of the Ajax GO Station. This location was ideal as Ajax Transit's routes all operated from the Ajax GO Station, providing a service that was tightly coordinated with the Lakeshore East train service of GO Transit
. This facility remains in use as the 'DRT West' facility of Durham Region Transit
, and DRT's Ajax routes continue to operate from the GO Station.
In 1991, Ajax Transit implemented a smart card
fare system. This system allowed riders to use stored-value cards to access transit services. This system was eliminated in 2001 with the formation of the Ajax Pickering Transit Authority
. However, this system was very forward looking and foreshadowed the forthcoming Presto card, in which Ajax Transit's descendant Durham Region Transit
will be a participant.
In 1992, Ajax Council
authorized implementation of a town-operated transit system to replace the contracted services. Also in 1992, Ajax Transit introduced Flag Bug service in which cutaway
vans could be flagged down at any point on a fixed route.
Durham Region Transit
's Ajax operations remain heavily based on those operated by Ajax Transit.
Ajax, Ontario
Ajax is a town in the Durham Region in the Greater Toronto Area.The town is named for the HMS Ajax a Royal Navy cruiser that served in World War II. Ajax is a part of the Greater Toronto Area and the...
. Ajax Transit and Pickering Transit
Pickering Transit
Pickering Transit was a former Canadian public transit operator in the City of Pickering, Ontario.-History:Transit service in Pickering began with the Bay Ridges Dial-A-Bus, which ran from July 1970 to January 1973 as a demonstration project conducted by the Government of Ontario...
were merged on September 4, 2001 to form the Ajax Pickering Transit Authority
Ajax-Pickering Transit
The Ajax Pickering Transit Authority was the former public transit operator in the Town of Ajax, Ontario and the City of Pickering, Ontario...
. APTA was itself merged into Durham Region Transit
Durham Region Transit
Durham Region Transit is the regional public transit operator in Durham Region, east of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its headquarters are at 605 Rossland Rd East in Whitby, Ontario, and there are regional centres in Ajax, Whitby, and Oshawa.-Overview:...
on January 1, 2006.
Routes
The following routes were operated:- Elm
- Duffins
- Beach
- Harwood
- Westney Heights
- Village
- Puckrin
- Hospital
- Flag Bus
History
In 1973, the Town of Ajax conducted a survey of potential transit ridership in Ajax. This led to bus service beginning in 1973, under a contract with Charterways Transportation LimitedCharterways Transportation Limited
Charterways Transportation Limited was a bus operator in Ontario, Canada. The head office was located in London Ontario. Of particular note:* It was one of a few sub-contractors to GO Transit during GO's early years....
, which operated service using a fleet of school bus
School bus
A school bus is a type of bus designed and manufactured for student transport: carrying children and teenagers to and from school and school events...
es, with heaviest ridership between the Pickering Beach area and downtown Ajax.
In the late 1970s, public transit buses were acquired and began operations on the Elm, Duffins, and Beach routes, which exist to this day. In the early 1980s, the Harwood, Westney Heights, and Village routes began service. Service on the Puckrin route began in the late 1980s.
In 1985, Ajax built a new transit garage and offices near the location of the Ajax GO Station. This location was ideal as Ajax Transit's routes all operated from the Ajax GO Station, providing a service that was tightly coordinated with the Lakeshore East train service of GO Transit
GO Transit
GO Transit is an inter-regional public transit system in Southern Ontario, Canada. It primarily serves the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area conurbation, with operations extending to several communities beyond the GTHA proper in the Greater Golden Horseshoe...
. This facility remains in use as the 'DRT West' facility of Durham Region Transit
Durham Region Transit
Durham Region Transit is the regional public transit operator in Durham Region, east of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its headquarters are at 605 Rossland Rd East in Whitby, Ontario, and there are regional centres in Ajax, Whitby, and Oshawa.-Overview:...
, and DRT's Ajax routes continue to operate from the GO Station.
In 1991, Ajax Transit implemented a smart card
Smart card
A smart card, chip card, or integrated circuit card , is any pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits. A smart card or microprocessor cards contain volatile memory and microprocessor components. The card is made of plastic, generally polyvinyl chloride, but sometimes acrylonitrile...
fare system. This system allowed riders to use stored-value cards to access transit services. This system was eliminated in 2001 with the formation of the Ajax Pickering Transit Authority
Ajax-Pickering Transit
The Ajax Pickering Transit Authority was the former public transit operator in the Town of Ajax, Ontario and the City of Pickering, Ontario...
. However, this system was very forward looking and foreshadowed the forthcoming Presto card, in which Ajax Transit's descendant Durham Region Transit
Durham Region Transit
Durham Region Transit is the regional public transit operator in Durham Region, east of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its headquarters are at 605 Rossland Rd East in Whitby, Ontario, and there are regional centres in Ajax, Whitby, and Oshawa.-Overview:...
will be a participant.
In 1992, Ajax Council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
authorized implementation of a town-operated transit system to replace the contracted services. Also in 1992, Ajax Transit introduced Flag Bug service in which cutaway
Cutaway van chassis
Cutaway van chassis are used by second stage manufacturers for a wide range of completed motor vehicles. Especially popular in the United States, they are usually based upon incomplete vans made by manufacturers such as Chrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors which are...
vans could be flagged down at any point on a fixed route.
Durham Region Transit
Durham Region Transit
Durham Region Transit is the regional public transit operator in Durham Region, east of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its headquarters are at 605 Rossland Rd East in Whitby, Ontario, and there are regional centres in Ajax, Whitby, and Oshawa.-Overview:...
's Ajax operations remain heavily based on those operated by Ajax Transit.