The 8 MRCs of Estrie join forces to transform the future of public and paratransit transportation

A New Shared Digital Platform Will Support Travel for Residents in Rural and Semi-Urban Communities

Cowansville, July 16, 2026 — The Regional County Municipalities (MRCs) of Brome-Missisquoi, Coaticook, Le Granit, Le Haut-Saint-François, La Haute-Yamaska, Memphrémagog, Les Sources and Val-Saint-François are taking a major step forward in the evolution of mobility by announcing the upcoming deployment of a shared digital platform designed to support residents' travel throughout their territories.

Developed collectively by the eight participating MRCs, the project will provide organizations with a common tool to better plan, coordinate and monitor transportation services across their territories. It will also enhance the user experience through easier access to information, a simplified booking process and more efficient trip tracking.

Following a public call for tenders, the contract for the supply and implementation of the technological solution was awarded to Okidoo Interactif for an estimated total value of $801,500, plus applicable taxes.

A regional project

This regional initiative covers 116 local municipalities and serves a population of approximately 340,000 people, based on 2026 population data.

The project will be implemented in phases. Initial work will focus on planning, configuring the platform, adapting it to each organization's operational realities and supporting implementation teams. The platform will be introduced gradually to ensure a smooth transition for organizations, partners and residents.

The overall contractual timeline spans approximately five years, including the initial implementation, phased deployment, ongoing support, adjustments and continuous enhancement of the solution as it evolves.

An exceptional partnership

Implementing a shared digital platform across eight MRCs represents an exceptional regional initiative. It reflects a strong commitment to pooling efforts, sharing expertise and moving forward together to address challenges that extend beyond administrative boundaries.

While each participating MRC has its own territorial realities, they share common mobility challenges. Long travel distances, diverse transportation needs, limited resources and the importance of ensuring equitable access to services require flexible, consistent and scalable solutions.

By working from a common foundation, the participating MRCs will avoid duplicating efforts, facilitate knowledge sharing and better align key practices. This collaborative approach strengthens consistency across territories while preserving the flexibility needed to address local realities.

A shared response to shared challenges

Whether travelling to work, a medical appointment, school, recreational activities or local businesses, mobility is essential for accessing services, healthcare, education, employment and community life.

In rural and semi-urban communities, organizing transportation presents unique challenges, including long distances, diverse user needs, limited resources, complex scheduling and the need to provide equitable service across large territories. These realities require flexible, efficient solutions that can adapt to evolving needs on the ground.

By adopting a shared platform, the participating MRCs aim to strengthen their operational capacity, improve service consistency and better support the teams responsible for public and paratransit transportation.

"Mobility is a key driver of the vitality of our regions. By joining forces, the eight MRCs are demonstrating that it is possible to develop innovative solutions tailored to the realities of our rural and semi-urban communities. Our government is proud to support this transformative project, which will make travel easier for residents, strengthen collaboration among territories and help make public and paratransit transportation more accessible, more efficient and better aligned with the needs of the population." — Geneviève Hébert, Parliamentary assistant to the minister responsible for the regions for Estrie and member of the National Assembly for Saint-François

"Our municipal elected officials have long heard their citizens' concerns regarding public and paratransit transportation, particularly in our rural and semi-urban communities where travel options remain limited. Driving alone is still too often the only practical option for many trips. This project responds directly to that shared concern and to one of our regional priorities: strengthening access to public, shared and active transportation options that meet the real needs of residents and businesses. By joining their efforts, the eight MRCs demonstrate a shared commitment to taking concrete action to improve mobility within their communities." — Monique Phérivong Lenoir, Warden of Le Granit MRC and Chair of the Table des MRC de l'Estrie

Funding

This project was made possible through the 2024–2028 Sectoral Agreement for the Development of Public and Active Transportation, involving the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable (MTMD), the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Habitation (MAMH), the nine MRCs of Estrie and the Table des MRC de l'Estrie. The agreement supports collaborative initiatives that improve access to sustainable transportation options meeting mobility needs across Estrie by pooling the expertise and resources of the various partners.

Through their contributions, municipal and government partners are helping implement a transformative regional project that will foster innovation, accessibility and the development of mobility solutions adapted to the realities of the participating territories.

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