It's been a while since I've posted new content here on the blog, but I haven't disappeared. Instead I've been focusing on developing the Ride York Web application, which I always intended to be the main focus of the project and which has turned out to require significantly more work than I originally expected. Famous last words and all that.

In the meantime I've missed reporting on some important news, not the least of which is the record ridership level York Region Transit achieved in 2012—doubly impressive considering more than half the transit system was halted the first month of the year due to the strike, and that ridership in these areas was noticeably depressed for months afterwards. Congratulations to everyone at YRT for the successful year!

Also, I see Albu Media has released a new iPhone app for York Region Transit riders, offering arrival times plus real-time information for selected stops. I'm delighted to see this and am looking forward to contributing more tools to support transit use myself.

I hope you are enjoying a safe and happy Christmas with your family today. Thank you for reading, sharing and commenting on the blog this year. Much appreciated.

And thank-you to the York Region Transit operators who are spending Christmas day on the road, allowing the agency to provide Sunday/holiday service across the region.

At last the snow has arrived here in York Region, and so we can say winter has finally begun. Winter being, of course, the best time of year to travel by transit—not that waiting outside in the cold is so much fun (it isn't), but it still beats having to deal with frozen windshields, snowed-in driveways and icy roads.

Better to leave the driving to the professionals and enjoy your holidays. And while you're doing that, here are a few service changes to be aware of.

Holiday Service Starts Tomorrow

Special holiday service schedules begin tomorrow for Viva blue/blue "A" and purple and a large number of YRT routes. YRT's website has the details, conveniently organized by route.

Note that all High-School Specials are currently suspended and will resume January 7th.

YRT's also posted service details for Christmas Day and New Year's, including not only their own schedules but details for Brampton Transit, the TTC and GO as well—thanks, guys. There's a lot of information, but here are the basics for YRT riders:

• Regular weekday service this Monday (Christmas Eve), with early GO Shuttle and Express service.
• Sunday/holiday service Christmas Day.
• Saturday service Boxing Day.
• Regular service the following Thursday to Sunday.
• Regular weekday service New Year's Eve (but see below), with early GO Shuttle and Express service.
• Sunday/holiday service New Year's Day.

Ride YRT for Free New Year's Eve

Freeva for all—this year the transit agency will again be offering complimentary service New Year's Eve: Ride any YRT/Viva vehicle, including Mobility Plus and TTC and Brampton buses operating in York Region, for free beginning at 7 pm. In addition, YRT will be providing extended service until as late as 4 am on a number of routes. Their website, again, has the full list (PDF).

Fares Increase New Year's Day

Finally, remember that new, higher fares come into effect January 1st: A book of ten tickets will cost $30, while the cash fare (which none of you are actually paying, correct?) will rise to $3.75.

As of yesterday fare vendors were still selling books of tickets at the current price, so it might be a wise move to stock up before the end of the month. (Plus, who wouldn't appreciate the gift of stress-free travel this Christmas?)

Safe travels if you're out today—remember not all sidewalks may be cleared or salted yet, so be careful getting to and from stops.