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Ontario’s 2012 Transit-Supportive Guidelines:

Transit Improvement Strategies

Ontario East Municipal Conference September 12, 2012 Ministry of Transportation

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Transit Improvement Guidelines

Increasing transit ridership, a provincial priority

Since 2004, $2.2 billion committed to municipal transit systems through dedicated gas taxes

Aim of funding: to support municipalities in growing ridership

Expanded transit content in Guidelines to assist municipal transit providers in developing strategies for ridership growth

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Ridership growth 2000 to 2010

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Transit Systems in Eastern Ontario

25 transit systems

Conventional & Specialized-11

Conventional only - 6

Specialized only - 8

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Most municipal transit systems in

Eastern Ontario serve small populations

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Demographics affecting transportation

By 2036 – 23.4% of Ontario population age 65+

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Share of seniors population by region

Most of Eastern Ontario projected to have

over 25% seniors by 2036

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Smaller transit systems tend to serve

transit-dependent*

Can’t drive or do not own cars

Seniors

Persons with disability

Students

Lower incomes

* Todd Litman. Evaluating Public Transit Benefits and Costs. Victoria Transport Policy Institute (2012), p. 5.

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Challenges of small and mid-sized

systems

Lower populations, lower densities

Dispersed origins and destinations

Higher operating costs, lower fare revenues

Greater need for accessible transit & facilities

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Mixing fixed routes with requested pick-ups & stops to overcome longer distances to and from transit stops

Using taxis/vans to add capacity or as feeder service in outlying areas

Sample guidelines for smaller systems

3.1.3 Demand-Responsive Transit Service (p. 104)

Flexible services address low densities, dispersed destinations

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Sample guidelines for smaller systems

3.5.3 Targeting Ridership through Partnerships (p. 142)

Forming partnerships to target groups with high transit use helps maintain ridership and fare revenues

Schools and colleges; provide student passes

Health and social agencies, medical centres , seniors housing, to serve client groups

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Sample guidelines for smaller systems

Community Transportation (3.1.3 #9, p.105)

Forming partnerships with other transportation service providers can optimize use of transportation assets and lower costs

One number to call

Sharing vehicle and operators to provide more trips, meet unmet demand

Coordinate service with long-term care, social service agencies, hospitals, volunteer organizations

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Sample guidelines for smaller systems

3.4.1 Universal Design for Accessibility (p. 124)

Accessible design and services remove barriers to mobility, making transit accessible to people of all ages and all abilities

Transit accessibility requirements in Ontario Accessible Transportation Standard

Make entire transit trip accessible:

route to transit stops

walkways

transit stops/shelters

stairs/ramps

parking lots

stations/platforms

vehicles

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Sample Guidelines for smaller systems

Work with social agencies and healthcare networks to determine travel needs of older clients

Assess all transit facilities, routes, stops for safety and comfort for seniors

Assess whether transit destinations, hours and frequencies serve seniors

3.5.2 Changing Demographics (p. 138)

Plan transit to serve needs of aging population with increase in mobility disabilities

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Sample guidelines for smaller systems

Performance monitoring and evaluation provides systematic approach to implementing service improvements

3.2.1 Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (p. 108)

Performance measurement builds understanding of service levels (service gaps, areas of opportunity)

Setting strategic goals is 1st step to developing service standards and service plan

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Sample guidelines for smaller systems

1.2.2 Transit Network Design and Planning (p. 30)

Sets out principles of transit network design with emphasis on connectivity and aligning network to growth and changes in local land use

Case study on Oakville’s transition from radial network to grid (p. 168)

Growing small to mid-size communities can add cross town routes to provide more direct service as nodes emerge