Press Release - The Regional Municipality of York welcomes Viva extension to Markham Stouffville Hospital

Three new vivastations on purple line serve residents in east Markham

NEWMARKET – The Regional Municipality of York launched the extension of Viva purple rapid transit service from McCowan Road to Markham Stouffville Hospital during an event today in the Town of Markham.The new rapid transit service to and from the Cornell community provides vital connections with Markham Stouffville Hospital and surrounding facilities.“Viva makes another important step forward today and brings us closer to the completion of a seamless rapidtransit network,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch. “This extension will support a sustainable transportation future for York Region.”This service extension provides three new vivastations at Main Street Markham and Highway 7, Wootten Way and Highway 7 and Markham Stouffville Hospital on Church Street.All locations offer electronic “next bus” signs, a oneRide ticket vending machine, a viva

Now ticket validator and connections to both Viva and York Region Transit (YRT) routes.“The Town of Markham is extremely pleased to see Viva rapid transit extended to Cornell, our leading new urbanized community,” said Town of Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “The Cornell community is focused on people and not cars. Viva allows less use of the car, increased accessibility to businesses and services and excellent links to GO Transit and TTC.”The new Markham Stouffville Hospital vivastation provides convenient access to the hospital as well as Markham Stouffville Medical Centre and Participation House.“Healthcare accessibility is vital to everyone,” said Markham Stouffville Hospital President and CEO Janet Beed. “Viva will connect more patients with the care they need and provide transportation options for more than 2,500 staff, physicians and volunteers who support the operation of Markham Stouffville Hospital.”Viva purple service operates Monday through Sunday, approximately every 15 minutes. Customers travelling on Viva purple to Markham Stouffville Hospital will be able to make connections with six YRT Routes:

• 1 - Highway 7
• 9 - 9th Line
• 85 - Rutherford/16th Avenue
• 2A - 14th Avenue
• 18 - Bur Oak
• 522 - Markham Community Bus

“The extension of Viva is a demonstration of York Region tax dollars at work,” said City of Vaughan Regional Councillor Joyce Frustaglio, Chair of the Region’s Transit Committee. “As ridership continues to grow and Viva moves toward completion, we’ll see a high return on our investment as more residents get out of their cars and onto public transit.”Viva and YRT provide one system of public transit services connecting York Region residents.First launched in September 2005,

Viva rapid transit will be fully developed over a 20-year, three phase plan.Work is now proceeding on Phase 2, which will construct dedicated “rapidways” to separate Viva vehiclesfrom mixed traffic and reduce travel times by up to 40 per cent along the most congested sections of the transit corridors.More than 18.6 million riders used YRT/Viva services in 2007, with an average of nearly 73,000 trips made each day between Monday and Friday. Nearly 400 vehicles will make up the YRT/Viva fleet in 2008, including five diesel-electric hybrid vehicles. Pending final budget approval, all 90 Viva vehicles will be powered with a bio-diesel fuel blend in 2008.

For more information about Viva Phase 2, please visit www.vivayork.comFor more information about YRT/Viva, please visit the YRT/Viva website at www.yrt.ca or call the CustomerService Centre at 1-866-MOVE-YRT (668-3978).For more information on The Regional Municipality of York, please visit www.york.ca

Sports Report

AHL: Canada 9 Planet USA 8

OPJHL: Vaughan 4 Toronto 3

Tonight

NHL: Toronto vs. St. Louis; 7:30pm, Air Canada Centre

NBA: Toronto at Washington; 7:00pm

OPJHL: Stouffville at Newmarket; 7:30pm

- Eric Rosenhek