First Phase of Island-Wide Public Transit System Launches October 12 with $2 One-Way Trips to help meet Net Zero targets by 2040

Starting October 12, the Province of Prince Edward Island will launch the first phase of an Island-wide Public Transit System with two new public transit routes to eastern PEI. The two new eastern routes, along with the existing route operated by County-Line Express connecting Summerside to Charlottetown, will be $2 per trip.

An integrated, provincial transit system was a commitment in the 2019 Speech from the Throne and a key recommendation of the province’s Poverty Reduction Action Plan, Sustainable Transportation Action Plan and the Premier’s Council for Recovery and Growth. 

“The continued strength of our province relies on creating new opportunities for our communities. Local and intercommunity transportation services will link workers to jobs, students to schools, shoppers to stores and Islanders to the essential services they need to enhance their quality of life.”

- Premier Dennis King

One route will connect Charlottetown with St. Peters and Souris, while the second will connect Charlottetown with the Montague and Georgetown areas. These routes will run three round trips per day, Monday to Friday. 

The eastern PEI routes will be operated by T3 Transit and will connect riders to the existing transit system available in the capital area or any other stops along the dedicated routes. By January 2022, on-demand service will also be available through the mobile app, Kari, to assist Islanders get from their communities to the main transit routes in their area. 

The program will be further expanded in early 2022 to include a western PEI route connecting communities west of Summerside with the existing routes to complete an Island-wide system from Tignish to Souris. 

“This partnership will ensure safe, convenient and accessible transportation options for Islanders to get where they need to go,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure James Aylward. “Having reliable public transit for all Islanders will have widespread benefits, including reducing our carbon footprint and reducing transportation barriers for rural Islanders.”

With transportation being one of the largest carbon emitters in the province, this initiative is key in reaching PEI’s goal of being the first net zero province in Canada by 2040. 

“Transportation is one of the leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions in our province,” said Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action Steven Myers. “To meet our ambitious climate targets, we need to help Islanders make greener transportation choices and this is another step in the right direction on our path to net zero.”

The new Island-wide Public Transit system will provide safe, reliable, and affordable public transit for all residents across the province to work, study, or access essential services across the province while helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions.   

Additional Quotes:

“T3 is encouraged to see the expansion of public transit in our province. Connecting rural and urban communities is vital with buses providing a convenient cost-efficient transportation link.”
-    Mike Cassidy, T3 Transit 

“The opportunity to expand the use of the Kari mobile app to more of Prince Edward Island has been a priority since day one and we’re excited to partner with the Province to harness companies’ established infrastructure to connect riders to more transportation options in more areas of the Island.”
-    Matt MacLeod, Co-Founder, Kari

Media contacts:

April Gallant
Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
902-368-5112
aldgallant@gov.pe.ca

Matthew Cassidy
T3 Transit
902-393-5039
mcassidy@coachatlantic.ca

Matt MacLeod
Kari App
902-213-1202
matt@meetkari.com

Backgrounder 

Eastern PEI routes

Islanders can pre-book their seat and pick-up location through the Kari app or be at one of the primary stop locations along the route at the scheduled time. Pick-up at one of the secondary stop locations must be booked through the Kari app.

Riders can pay their $2 fare directly to the bus driver. It is $2 no matter how far on the route a rider travels. 

Route #1: Souris to Charlottetown

Primary Stops: IGA/Home Hardware, Tim Horton’s (Main Street), Straight Goods Restaurant, St. Peter’s Landing, Irving (Morell), Irving (Mt. Stewart), Irving (Bedford), Holland College (Weymouth Street), Confederation Centre of the Arts

Secondary Stops: CTMA Ferry Terminal, Souris Food Park, Former Platter House, Rollo Bay Inn, UPEI Climate Labe (St. Peter’s), Nordic Spa (St. Peter’s), Co-op (Morell), Wyman’s, Ultramar (Scotchfort), Jewel’s Market

Route #2: Georgetown to Charlottetown

Primary Stops: Daryl’s Store, Holland College Georgetown Campus, Mel’s Petro Can (Montague), Sobeys (Montague), Intersection of Union Road/Queens Road, Intersection of Route 3/Union Road, Irving (Mt. Albion), Holland College Residence (Grafton Street), Confederation Centre of the Arts

Secondary Stops: Rodd Brudenell Resort, Esso (Cardigan), Kaylee Hall (Pools Corner), Kings County Memorial Hospital, Vernon River Post Office, Buster’s Service Station (Cherry Valley), Sobeys (Stratford)

A full schedule will be available at Island-wide Public Transit.