The introduction of Sunday bus service in Fredericton was met with enthusiasm by residents who previously had to rely on expensive taxi services to get around the city. Riders on the route 150 bus expressed their appreciation for the new service, which allowed them to attend church, go to work, or visit friends without breaking the bank. For many, taking the bus on Sundays was a more affordable alternative to taking taxis.
The decision to expand bus service to Sundays followed years of calls for change from the community. Fredericton Mayor Kate Rogers noted that the addition of Sunday service was a top recommendation from the city’s Anti-Racism Task Force and was expected to make the city more livable. The move was also supported by businesses in the area, with the CEO of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce stating that the new service would have a positive impact on employees, employers, and tourism in the city.
Fredericton’s growing population was cited as a driving factor behind the decision to introduce Sunday bus service. With an estimated 3,000 new residents being added to the city each year, there was a greater need for accessible public transportation options. The addition of new routes, including a cross-town bus route that will keep buses on the north and south sides of the city, was seen as a way to accommodate the city’s expanding population and improve transportation options for residents.
The new Sunday bus service operates with 10 buses doing hourly rotations between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. The success of the service will ultimately be determined by city council, who will decide whether to expand the service further based on its effectiveness and popularity with residents. Fredericton’s transit manager, Charlene Sharpe, emphasized the importance of collecting feedback from customers and making adjustments based on their needs to ensure that the service meets the community’s transportation requirements.
Overall, the introduction of Sunday bus service in Fredericton was a welcome change for residents who previously had limited transportation options on weekends. The move was seen as a positive step towards making the city more accessible and livable for its growing population. With the support of local businesses and community members, the hope is that the new service will have a lasting impact on the city’s public transportation system and benefit residents, employees, and visitors alike.
