Looking Back

Before 1970, public transportation is provided by the private sector.

1971

• The Outaouais Regional Community Transit Commission (CTCRO) is created.

1972

• The symbol and colours characterizing the Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) is adopted.
• The shares of the three public transit companies operating within the territory, Transport urbain de Hull, Transport Hull métropolitain and Transport d'écoliers du nord de l'Outaouais, are acquired.

1973

• The agreement on inter-provincial transportation ensuring transfers between the STO and OC Transpo comes into effect.

1974

• The very first reserved bus lane in the province of Quebec is inaugurated on Gréber.

1977

• The STO administrative centre at 111 Jean-Proulx is inaugurated.
• The Information service is created.

1980

• The Passe-Partout monthly paper pass is introduced.

1981

• The Commission awards the contract to provide transportation for persons with disabilities.
• School transportation is discontinued.

1984

• The Commission comprises seven members, including the chairperson of the Outaouais Regional Community (ORC) and one representative for each of the six municipalities served..
• Constance Provost becomes the first chairwoman of the CTCRO.

1985

• The Sagepas (Système automatisé pour la gestion du parc autobus), an automated system for managing the bus fleet, is developed and implemented.

1986

• The Infobus system is launched, enabling customers to call a number to obtain the arrival times of the next two buses at a given stop.

1987

• Paper money and pennies are abolished as a payment method.

1991

• Bill 110 comes into effect, providing more autonomy. 
• The CTCRO changes its name to Société de transport de l'Outaouais. 
• The STO adopts a new signature.
• Reserved lanes for buses, carpooling and taxis are introduced on boulevard Maisonneuve, in Hull.

1994

• The Jean-René-Monette terminus and park-and-ride, the first in Quebec, is built in Gatineau.
• The Plan intégré des réseaux routier et de transport en commun (comprehensive development plan for rural road networks and public transit) is submitted.

1995

• The first User’s Guide with the schedules for all bus routes is introduced.
• Georges O. Gratton replaces Antoine Grégoire as General Manager.
• Jacques Lareau, Mayor of Buckingham, replaces Constance Provost as Chairperson of the Board of Directors.
• Inter-provincial reserved lanes on the Portage Bridge are inaugurated.

1996

• The STO celebrates its 25^th anniversary.
• Gréber and Fournier boulevards get their reserved bus lanes.
• Route 21 is introduced to serve the Casino de Hull and the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

 1997

• The Rivermead Park-and-Ride in Aylmer and the Encan Park-and-Ride in Masson-Angers are inaugurated.

1998

• The STO is named the country’s mass transit system of the year at the annual conference of the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA).
• The smart card is gradually introduced among certain groups of riders.

1999

• Claude Bonhomme replaces Jacques Lareau as Chairperson of the Board of Directors.
• The STO is named the official carrier for the Games of La Francophonie 2001.
• The STO sets up an extensive shuttle service for the evening of December 31 to take spectators to the Harmony 2000 show at the Casino de Hull and the festivities on Parliament Hill. The STO carries close to 20,000 passengers during the evening.
• The STO, in partnership with the Association pour l’intégration communautaire de l’Outaouais (APICO), develops and implements the Programme d’apprentissage au transport en commun régulier, a program to teach people with developmental disabilities how to use regular public transit.

2000

• Transport Quebec awards the STO the prix Orange in recognition of its excellent services.

2001

• The third section of the Rivermead Park-and-Ride in Aylmer is completed.
• The conclusions on the update to the Regional and Interprovincial Rapid Transit System Feasibility Study are presented.
• The Passe-temps, a new one-day bus pass, is created for tourists and occasional riders.
• The STO coordinates the transportation logistics on the occasion of the Games of La Francophonie to transport the general public, 5,000 participants, heads of delegations and dignitaries, volunteers and media representatives.
• The new Ville de Gatineau Municipal Council designates five representatives to sit on the STO Board of Directors effected January 2002.
• Lawrence Cannon replaces Claude Bonhomme as Chairperson of the Board of Directors.

 2002

• The Promenades de l’Outaouais customer service point is inaugurated.
• Ville de Gatineau designates Pierre Benoît as the regular public transit users’ representative and André Sanche as the paratransit users’ representative to the Board of Directors.
• The STO tests its first hybrid electric bus.
• The STO adds the first low-floor buses to the system.
• The STO launches the FIDÉLITÉ program, with pre-authorized debit payments for regular public transit users.

 2003

• The STO organizes a first open house evening on the Rapibus corridor.
• Pierre Philion is named Vice-chairperson and Thérèse Cyr replaces Luc Montreuil on the Board of Directors.

 2004

• The Board of Directors adopts the detailed feasibility study of the Rapibus.
• The STO is the first public transit company in Quebec to offer its drivers the SmartDriver program designed to teach driving techniques aimed at decreasing fuel consumption.
• The mandate of Georges O. Gratton as General Manager of the STO is renewed.
• The STO participates in the first international « In Town, Without My Car! » day in Gatineau.
• The first InfoPlus variable message signs are installed to show when buses will be passing in real time.
• The Customer Service Technical Committee (now the Customer Relations Technical Committee) is created to give a voice to public transit users.
• The monthly STO paper pass is discontinued.

 2005

• The new Freeman Park-and-Ride in the Hull sector is inaugurated.
• Les Promenades terminus is reconstructed.
• The STO hosts the CUTA conference, which is held in Gatineau for the first time.
• The STO receives a national award for its arrangements along Alexandre-Taché.
• Louise Poirier becomes Chairwoman of the STO in November, replacing Lawrence Cannon.
• The STO forms the Club Sélect to recognize the exemplary road safety driving records of bus drivers.

2006

• Marie-Josée Bédard replaces Georges O. Gratton as General Manager
• The new Hippodrome Aylmer Park-and-Ride is inaugurated.
• The new St-Dominique Park-and-Ride in the Hull sector is inaugurated.
• The UQO Forfait Cam Puce pass pilot project is launched for full-time students at the Université du Québec en Outaouais.

2007

• The STO launches an accessibility pilot project for reduced mobility riders.
• The Rapibus project obtains funding from the Quebec government and the City of Gatineau.
• The STO launches the LIGNE VERTE, its green bus route, as part of the Urban Transportation Showcase Program (UTSP).
• The STO acquires the first two hybrid diesel-electric buses in Quebec.

2008

• The STO receives the Exceptional Achievement award for its User's Guide from the Association de transport urbain du Québec (ATUQ).
• The Rapibus project management mandate is awarded to Pomerleau Inc.
• Patrice Martin replaces Louise Poirier as Chairman of the STO.
• Michel Brissette replaces Marie-Josée Bédard as General Manager 
• Line Thiffeault replaces Michel Brissette as Assistant General Manager.

2009

• The Outaouais (STO) and Montreal (STM) transit corporations unveil the promising results of the Urban Transportation Showcase Program (UTSP).
• The Quebec government confirms full acceptance of the Rapibus.
• The STO breaks the ground in the symbolic sod turning to announce the start of construction on the Rapibus.
• The STO acquires buses with an access ramp that can accommodate wheelchair users on the regular system.

2010

• The STO unveils its new Web site dedicated exclusively to the Rapibus.
• The Family fare offering inexpensive travel for families is introduced.
• The STO is the official carrier for the 45th Quebec Games in 2010.
• The STO launches Plani-Bus, the personal trip planner. 
• ZAP, a new monthly pass for youth aged 12 to 16, is launched.
• Services are enhanced to provide an even more accessible system for people with reduced mobility and in wheelchairs.

2011

• The STO holds two town hall sessions regarding Rapibus construction in the Lac Beauchamp Park sector.
• An open house consultation is held as part of the Feasibility study for lanes with an exclusive right-of-way for rapid transit in the western part of Gatineau.
• The STO opens its doors to the public for its 40th birthday.
• The contract for acquiring and formatting the 2nd generation smart card is awarded.
• The collective agreement for professional and office employees is renewed.
• The Allumettières terminus and incentive parking facility is opened.
• The STO unveils a bus decorated for the Fondation du Cégep de l'Outaouais.
• The STO makes accessibility is a high priority with the adoption of the accessible public transit development program.
• The update to the 2005-2015 Strategic Plan is submitted.
• The STO surpasses the mark of 20 million trips on its system.

2012

• The new sto.ca goes on-line to offer personalized information to meet the needs of public transit riders.
• The first Québec Policy Respecting Public Transit from ATUQ has very positive results for the STO.
• The STO offers riders greater comfort by adding articulated buses to different routes.
• The collective agreement for first-level managers is renewed.
• The STO innovates again with its new high-tech smart card, the MULTI.
• The STO is nationally recognized and receives awards from two respected mass transit associations.

2013

• The STO launches two text messaging (SMS) services and unveils a new mobile site at m.sto.ca.
• More than 1,000 new bus stop signs are installed for the new services for the Rapibus.
• A regular, all-electric bus is tested on the STO and STM systems.
• The STO unveils the panels for "La Porte de quartier: Un nom, un lieu, une identité", a concept that highlights Gatineau's history and heritage.
• A new partnership is formed between the City of Gatineau and the STO to create murals in the Rapibus corridor.
• The STO unveils its new visual identity.
• Line Thiffeault replaces Michel Brissette as General Manager.
• The STO starts the Rapibus service.
• Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin replaces Patrice Martin as Chairman of the STO.

2014

• Gilles Carpentier replaces Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin as Chairman of the STO.
• Launch of online Multi card loading.
• Optimization of the Rapibus corridor service.
• First evening meeting of the Board of Directors held as a pilot project.
• The firm RCGT begins an organizational assessment promoting a new performance culture at the STO.
• The STO hosts the annual CUTA conference.

2015

• The STO shares its data with independent mobile app and Web site developers.
• New features at m.sto.ca
• A new committee for universal accessibility is created.
• A mandate to analyse Rapibus management is entrusted to the firm Stratégia.
• A new service point is opened at Village Place Cartier.
• Start of construction on the new Centre d'entretien et d'exploitation in the Gatineau sector.
• Continued implementation of the new operational support and rider information system (SAEIV).
• The U-Pass is now accessible for Outaouais students who are registered as full-time students in certain Ontario colleges and universities.
• The railway right-of-way between Lorrain and Aéroport is acquired in anticipation of extending the Rapibus eastwards.
• STO service integration agreement and fare harmonization with Transcollines.
• Public consultation as part of the public transit system review in the city's east end by the firm MMM.
• The firm RCGT submits its findings on the organizational assessment and the STO develops a three-year action plan.
• New uniform in the STO's colours for the information team.
• By-law 100 defining the standards of safety and conduct to be observed by passengers on STO vehicles and premises is updated.
• An online rider panel is created.

2016

• Board of Directors meetings are now held in the evening to encourage citizen participation.
• The STO is now on Twitter.
• Plani-Bus is improved and Infobus modernized.
• Major restructuring of the network in the Aylmer sector supported by a public consultation process.
• Forum on preparing the mobility of the future in Gatineau's west end (Préparer la mobilité de l'avenir dans l'ouest de Gatineau).
• The STO unveils a new decorated bus as the official carrier for Gatineau 2017 and MosaïCanada.
• Official inauguration of the new Centre d'entretien et d'exploitation in the Gatineau sector.
• Launch of the occasional Multi card.
• Test of the first articulated hybrid diesel-electric bus built in Quebec.
• Report on the independent review of Rapibus management submitted by Stratégia.
• Marie-Pier Bouladier, representative for paratransit patrons, and François-Michel Brière, representative for regular public transit patrons, join the Board of Directors, replacing André Sanche and Pierre Benoît who ended their respective mandates after 15 years of involvement.
• The STO celebrates its 45th anniversary by naming its building the Centre administratif Antoine-Grégoire in memory of this great pioneer and head of the Société for 15 years.
• The STO reaches a record annual ridership with 20.3 million trips on its system.

2017

• Service improvements in the Plateau and Manoir des Trembles areas in the Hull sector.
• Adoption of the 2017-2026 strategic development plan (in French).
• Alignment agreement for STO and OC Transpo services in anticipation of the upcoming arrival of light rail in downtown Ottawa.
• Open House at the STO's new Centre d'entretien et d'exploitation as part of Gatineau Week.
• Launch of the social fare project.
• Myriam Nadeau replaces Gilles Carpentier as Chairman of the STO.

2018

• $3.8 M invested for service improvements
• A complementary study for a dedicated public transit system in Gatineau's west end
• The Rapibus' five-year anniversary
• A new operations support system for the paratransit service
• The Vélo-bus service
• Implementation of a master plan for service changes from 2019 to 2023
• A tornado strikes the Outaouais
• Marc Rousseau replaces Line Thiffeault as General Manager.

2019

• A record $4 M invested for service improvements.
• System improvements in the Limbour and Touraine districts.
• Partnership agreement with the Transit app for real-time transit information.
• Implementation of Maximo, a new computerized maintenance management software program, by the maintenance department.
• Three awards from Quebec organizations and associations for the ÉCHO social fare program: prix Guy-Chartrand, prix Jalon de la mobilité, and prix Reconnaissance.
• Rider information agents hired and STO_direct Twitter account created to provide real time information.

2020

• Preventive measures and service cutbacks introduced due to COVID-19
• Dedicated public transit system in Gatineau's west end – Analysis of integration options for downtown Ottawa
• Pont Noir pier repair project
• Rapibus corridor extension between Labrosse and Lorrain
• Development of a universal accessibility plan for 2021-2025
• Partnership with Communauto to develop sustainable mobility for Gatineau
• Station Lorrain becomes operational
• CUTA innovation award for excellence in Canada's transit industry awarded to STO for its automated fleet maintenance management system.
• Installation of a new model of readers at the front doors of buses, and transfer of the old ones to the back, for all-door boarding at the busiest stops.

2021

• Start of construction of the Rapibus corridor extension to boulevard Lorrain
• Update of the five-year 2021-2025 universal accessibility development plan
• Introduction of Interactive Voice Response (IVR) for the paratransit service
• Identification of the optimal solution for a dedicated public transit system between Gatineau's west end and the Gatineau and Ottawa downtowns
• Patrick Leclerc replaces Marc Rousseau as General Manager.
• New bus services in downtown Ottawa
• 50th anniversary of the Société de transport de l'Outaouais and its contribution to the community
• Launch of the on-demand transportation pilot project in the Buckingham and Masson-Angers sectors
• Confirmation of the purchase of the first two 100% electric regular buses
• Repair and paving of the Cheval-Blanc park-and-ride
• Jocelyn Blondin replaces Myriam Nadeau as Chairman of the STO.
• Use of the Vaccibus to facilitate the vaccination effort in the Outaouais

2022

• Ville de Gatineau increases its annual contribution to the STO by $1 M, bringing it to $75.6 M.
• The Together, let’s define tomorrow’s mobility public consultation.
• The collective agreement with maintenance employees is renewed.
• The “Libre accès jeunesse” initiative is introduced in partnership with Ville de Gatineau, enabling 10,700 young people to develop healthy mobility habits. 
• The on demand pilot project in the Buckingham and Masson-Angers sectors is continued for another year.
• The opportunity study for extending the Rapibus corridor eastward between Lorrain and de l’Aéroport boulevards is launched.
• The Centre hospitalier affilié universitaire (CHAU) confirms its future location alongside the Rapibus corridor.
• Partnership agreements are signed with Maison de la culture de Gatineau and Les Olympiques de Gatineau to encourage more people to use public transit and make it easier to get around in the de la Cité area.
• The STO goes electric: calls for tenders for the prototyping project are launched and the first contracts are awarded.
• The first three bike lockers arrive in Gatineau, including one at the Rapibus’ de la Cité station.
• Free access to the system on September 23 in support of Climate Strike on Fridays to encourage participants to opt for a sustainable mode of transportation.
• A day for hiring drivers is organized to address the labour shortage challenge.
• STO driver David Poirier-Roberts receives an award of recognition from the Association du transport urbain du Québec (ATUQ) for having helped save the life of a child.