DRT, in partnership with OPG, offers free On Demand and Specialized Services to vaccine clinics

Whitby, Ontario – Beginning April 10, 2021, seniors and all residents of Durham Region can book a free round trip from their residence to a local vaccine clinic using Durham Region Transit’s (DRT) On Demand or Specialized Services (eligibility required for Specialized Services). This temporary free service is funded by a generous $10,000 donation from Ontario Power Generation (OPG) in support of the province’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

This donation allows DRT to provide approximately 1,500 free trips to and from Durham Region COVID-19 vaccination sites, booked through DRT’s On Demand and Specialized Services. Eligible locations include:

• Ajax (Audley Recreation Centre)
• Brock (Rick MacLeish Memorial Community Centre Arena)
• Clarington (Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex)
• Oshawa (Ontario Tech Campus Ice)
• Pickering (Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex Arena - formerly known as Pickering Recreation Complex)
• Scugog (Scugog Arena)
• Uxbridge (Uxbridge Arena)
• Whitby (McKinney Centre)

How to access free On Demand and Specialized Services

• Residents who meet the eligibility requirements to register for the COVID-19 vaccine in Durham Region can book free trips to and from vaccination sites.
• Customers already registered with Specialized transit can book their trips by contacting a booking agent at 1-866-247-0055, and press 1.
• For On Demand transit, residents can book their trip by using the On Demand app or by calling a booking agent at 1-866-247-0055, and press 3.
• Learn about bus stop and route information for COVID-19 vaccine clinics.

Quotes:

“Providing access to COVID-19 vaccination clinics is a priority for Durham Region as we seek to minimize the impact of the pandemic. We are grateful for our community partners at OPG for this generous donation that will help remove barriers for individuals who require transit support to access the vaccine.”

- John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer

“OPG’s generous donation provides a unique opportunity for DRT to support our local public health unit in maximizing the number of COVID-19 vaccines received. We welcome this partnership to assist seniors and residents in accessing vaccine clinics.”

- Shaun Collier, Mayor of Ajax and Chair of the Transit Executive Committee

“OPG is pleased to support this initiative to help ensure seniors across Durham who haven’t received a COVID-19 vaccine are able to do so. Combating this pandemic requires a heightened sense of community, and OPG is proud to do what we can to support.”

 - Sean Granville, Chief Nuclear Officer, Ontario Power Generation

“DRT is pleased to waive the fare for On Demand and Specialized transit trips for Durham residents who wish to access COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Thanks to OPG for the community-centred donation that will assist seniors and all residents in supporting the Region during the vaccine rollout.”

- Bill Holmes, General Manager of Durham Region Transit

– 30 –

For more information, please contact Corporate Communications.