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By Debbie Luchuk Celebrating its first birthday, the Durham Region Tourist Association is growing into an active advocate for al tourism- related businesses in the region. The association romotes the interaction of Duram Region's hotels, motels, restaurants, attractions and other tourist- related businesses. The aim is to strengthen ties between.these businesses and to present a united, marketable image to tourists visiting the area, says president Martha Ann Rankin, curator of the Parkwood residence museum in Oshawa. In order to raise awareness of and provide information on what is available for the visitor to the area, the association will be.pro- ducing a travel guide inconjunc- tion with Central Ontario Travel Association. Featuring a comprehensive map and listimgs on most places to stay, eat, and visit, the booklet will be available at all tourist information centres and cham- bers of commerce in the region in the next month or so, Rankin said. 'Ve have i the past few months been out working on selling and participating in the new travel guide. It bas been up to our members to develop the content," she said. "The travel guide will have helpful facts on where to stay, where to eat, what to do, shop- ping and all aspects of interest.' Another major project is a large, detailed map, which will also be available soon throu h tourist info centers and th e chambers of commerce. A "familiarization" tour is planned for press and politicians this spring, to make these par- ties aware of what the associa- tion is doing and what tourist and related business is in the re on. Community awareness (of the tourist association) is building, but it's going to be a long time before we convince the com- munity that we have something to offer. We're surprised at the number of calls we get from the (tourist/ information) publica- tions we have out now," Rankin said. Whitby will stand to benefit from its membership in the asso- ciation, says association member Judy Gibbens of the Whitby tour- ist information centre. "It gives us a voice within the travel business within Durham. This facility here (tourist info centre) is getting a lot of recogni- tion for what we do," Gibbens says. aWe're (association) trying to encourage a lot of cross com- munications between hotels, res- taurants, etc." Gibbens adds that the guide has a fair amount of "Whitby" content, and that the booklet will be available at the Whitby Tour- ist Info Centre "hopefully at the end of February." The Durham Region Tourist Association has 76 members, and membership official Leslie Pon- 'telle said that she expects mem- bership to grow this year with the many activities and publica- tions planned. WHITBY TAX Five more buses recommended SERVICE LTD. With this years tax reform we will get you ail posssible deductons, non refundable credits and refundable credits, We offer a year round service. Dundas St. W. .' For your Personal i . . & Confidential Appt. CalH 430-1166 14011 965 Dundas St. W., Suite 202, West Lynde Plaza .Arniple 1-aar1Cirig By Mike Johnston Whitby Transit needs five more buses and council should consider locating a garage for the buses in Whitby, a consultant studying the transit system has recommended. David Crowley of Tranplan Associates presented the results of his study to operations com- mittee Monday night. He indicated the five buses are required to provide better service to the GO train. Currently 250 residents use Whitby Transit to reach the GO train. Crowley said there are poten- tially 1 400 riders per day. He a so indicated that Whitby Transit's 10 buses are stored in Bowmanville. By the time they travel back and forth to Whitby, Crowley said 4,000 km are was- ted erweek. " e performance of Whitby Transit is very poor," said Crow- ley. Committee has recommended the cost for five new buses be included in this year's budget. The five buses wil1 cost $925,000. With a subsidy from the Province of $693.750 the Town's share will be $231,250. Staff will, however, consider the urchase of used buses in- stea of new ones. Since the new buses will not be available until August, the com- mittee has also recommended five buses be leased from GO Transit to provide better service. A revised schedule to the GO station is to be presented for (The Irresistible RRSP What makes our Special Bonus* RRSP hard to resist? In addition to our competitive daily published rate, you get a one-half per cent bonus on an RRSP Guaranteed Investment Certificate that matures May 1, 1990. This bonus applieo' >th to new and transfer deposits. There are no administ- .,a tees. And you receive an instant tax receipt. Just cut out this ad and present it at your nearest National Trust branch. Ask us about our complete range of RRSPs. If you're thinking along the lines of a Self-Directed or Mutual Fund RRSP, talk to our knowledgeable staff. At the branch or on the phone, you'll find them eager to help. A loan could be a smart move. Get the most out of the tax benefits of an RRSP by depositing as close to your allowable maximum as possible. If you don't have sufficient funds available . let us show you how a National Trust RRSP loan can be a smart financial move. The smartest financial move you can make. Whatever your RRSP needs are, come in and let us look after them for you. NATIONAL TRUST Whitby 308 Dundas St. W. 668-9324 352 Brock St. S. 666-1800 *Terms & Conditions: •Offer cannot be used with other offers. Offer expires March 1, 1989- Applicable to contributions and transfers in - $500. minimum deposit • Maturity May 1, 1990 - Non-cashable prior to maturity • Will be renewed for 1 year term automatically on maturity, unless advised prior to maturity. Bonus is added to our published GIC rate on the day you make your aeposit •Oler to retail clients only, not through brokers. I é I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I i council's approval in May. Staff have also been instructed to look for a site to construct a garage within town for the buses. e cost for a new garage would be eligible for a 75 per cent subsidy from the Province. But with better service, Crow- ley has also recommended fares be increased. Adult fares would be increased to $1 from 70 cents while student fares would also go to $1 from 55 cents. Senior fares would increased to 50 cents from 45 cents while children's fares would also in- creas to 50 cents from 40 cents. "This is a steep increase but it should be implemented when service is significanlty approved," said Crowley. The frustrations residents face with Whitby Transit was related to committee by downtown resi- dent Bob Catton. He told committee that when residents take a bus from down- town to the GO station there is a wait of 22 minutes for a train. On the return trip, passengers must wait 33 minutes for a bus when they et off the train. "Presentfy, you are providing a school-type busing for every- body," said Brian Sheardown of the Minist of Transportation. Some o Whitby Transit's strengths include "good accessi- bilit for 90 per cent of Whitby resi ents and a "good service" to the high schools, said Cfowley. IMPROVINGYOURODDS AGAINST CANADA'S#1KILLER. 333 BUENA VISTA $156,900.00 Just Listed - Excellent older detached 3 bedroom Oshawa home on a 40' x 121' lot featuring a 19' x 12' eat-in kitchen with new cabinetry. Other features include a 22' recreation room or bedsitting room with cozy corner woodstove plus its own kitchenette & 3 pc. bath. Jack Grant, Broker, 668-4000. a,*j d~>~ J 1% --OF Travel guide, tour among tourist association plans r