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Wednesday, April 1, 2009 Orono Weekly Times - 18 All Over Clarington! Don't Miss An Issue! WHITBY, ON, March 27, 2009 - Durham Region Transit (DRT) ridership has climbed to a total of 25 million passengers since inception in January, 2006. The most recent 14% ridership increase can be attributed to students attending Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. While DRT could not be certain who the actual 25 millionth passenger was, eight DRT representatives, visited eight municipalities in search of eight grand prize winners. DRT Representatives also selected a Specialized Services winner. Winners from each municipality and the Specialized Services client received free DRT tickets or pass and a DRT prize package. Regional Chair Roger Anderson and Chair of the Transit Executive Committee (TEC) says," DRT and the Region of Durham are confident that ridership will continue to grow as the Region continues to invest in new transit services that provide better travel options for residents." "Over 8.4 million passen- gers a year is a ridership record for DRT. As ridership and communities in the Region continue to grow, DRT wants to hear from our passengers about the future of public transit in Durham Region as part of a Long-Term Transit Strategy (LTTS). The study will identify a network of transit services throughout the Region, between the major growth centres and connections for rural communities." says Ted Galinis, General Manager, DRT. To learn more or participate in the LTTS, visit www.durhamlongtermtransitstrategy.ca or call 1-877-2677794 ext.226. Winners: Ron Davies, Township of Brock, Tim, Town of Whitby, Pierre Smith, City of Pickering, Aliza Baher, Town of Ajax, James Hill, Township of Scugog, Jane Beach, Township of Uxbridge, Meghen Tearne, Municipality of Clarington, Gary McKerie, City of Oshawa and Heather Morrison, Specialized Services. Regional Chair Roger Anderson and Town of Ajax Councillor Scott Crawford attended in Ajax, City of Pickering Mayor David Ryan and City of Pickering Councillor Rick Johnson attended in Pickering, Town of Whitby Councillor Don Mitchell attended in Whitby, City of Oshawa Councillor John Henry and City of Oshawa Councillor Joseph Kolodzie attended in Oshawa, Municipality of Clarington Councillor Charlie Trim attended in Clarington, Township of Brock Councillor John Grant attended in Brock, Township of Uxbridge Mayor Bob Shepherd and Township of Uxbridge Councillor Gord Highet attended in Uxbridge and Township of Scugog Mayor Marilyn Pearce attended in Scugog. DRT is an integrated transit system serving all communities in Durham Region. The combined conventional and specialized fleet exceeds 190 vehicles. DRT operates 62 conventional routes, community bus and dedicated high school service. Accessible transit for approximately 2,700 clients is provided by DRT Specialized Services. All new DRT buses are environmentally compliant, clean diesel-powered and are air conditioned for comfort. The accessible low floor bus with a 'kneeling" ramp feature enhances travel options for passengers with disabilities. 905-983-5301 - oronotimes@rogers.com Four artists from Newcastle's A Gift of Art were accepted into the Spring One of a Kind Show in Toronto. A Gift of Art is the showcase where Clarington and district artists and artisans may display their work All four artists have new and exciting pieces. Elke Clarke will be selling her Algonquin Lake Series Paintings, as well as under a separate label, "Artistic Threads", her fibre art throws and pillows. Debbie Dell, whose imaginative work is in fusion glass plates and pendants, has added wall mounted decorative mirrors to her repertoire. For all that wonderful metal work that Barry and Sharon Lawrence produce, they are including new outdoor garden pieces and metal side tables with infused glass tops. Copper vase arrangements are the specialty of Glenda and Frank Castellano but they continue to show their new wall pieces and bullrush floor creations. The One of a Kind Show will be held April 1st to 5th at the Toronto International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, Toronto. Subscibe To The Orono Weekly Times Today! Only $35.00 per year! WE'RE TURNING HEADS Artists at "One of a Kind Show" Durham Region Transit achieves 25 million passengers milestone