The Route Ahead Peterborough Transit Operations Review

1. The Route AheadPeterborough Transit Operations Review Presentation to Council September 19th, 2012

2. Study Purpose • Conduct a comprehensive review of Peterborough's transit services and develop a Service Plan covering the period 2012-2017 • Provide an assessment and recommendations for both conventional transit and Handi-Van services • Identify opportunities to increase transit ridership; improve mobility and accessibility for all residents; and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of transit service delivery

3. Consultation Activities • Let’s Talk Transit – an initial ‘drop in’ centre (October 2011) • Stakeholder Interviews • City Transit Staff, Accessibility Coordinator, Public Works, Planning and Finance Staff • Peterborough Public Health • Business Improvement Area • School Board Transportation • Fleming College and Trent University • Activity Haven • Capitol Taxi • Chamber of Commerce • Public Library • Transit Drivers • Mobility Dispatch • Transportation Accessibility Committee • OLG Kawartha Downs • Home Builders Association • Social Services • ATU representatives • Focus Groups were held in October and January 2012 • Public Information Centre on May 24th, 2012

4. What We Heard and Saw Positive Feedback: • Transit ridership is on an upward trend and is moving toward City’s 2021 target • All routes exceed ridership target (except Route 12) and on first two Saturday runs • Users appreciate the service being offered (both Handi-Van and conventional transit) • Fares are generally considered affordable • Drivers helpful and friendly (a few exceptions) • Good frequency of service on Trent Express • Transfers are easy at the downtown terminal but the overall environment is not great • Most Handi-Van trips accommodated, success shifting users to conventional • Overall system performance is ahead of peer municipalities

5. What We Heard and Saw Areas for Improvement: • Late buses pulling into the terminal can make all buses late • Operation at the terminal is very inefficient and reduces productivity • Need more direct transit service, especially to Lansdowne Mall, along Lansdowne corridor and for locations on Chemong Road • Need to improve service frequency especially during the weekday peak periods (40 minutes between buses is too long) • The Fleming Express is a great service, but does not run often enough • Need to improve flexibility of trip-making for Handi-Van registrants • High number of late cancellations and ‘no shows’ on Handi-Van • Need to make more effective use of Handi-Van resources • Many bus stops are not accessible and not cleared of snow in the winter • Priority seating on low floor buses is occasionally full, leaving people with mobility issues waiting at the stop

6. Existing Conventional Services Base Routes Fleming Express Technology Drive Trent Express

7. Proposed Route Structure Base Routes Fleming Express – no change Trent Express – modify West-Bank, combine East-Bank and Route 9 Technology Drive no change

8. Features of Proposed Changes to Conventional Services • Improved connections to Lansdowne Mall and along the Lansdowne corridor. • Improved service along the Chemong corridor including a direct connection to Trent University (benefits student employment and shopping). • Combined Route 9 and East Bank Express into one route which benefits residents (improved frequency), students (summer service) and City (improved productivity). • Change Route 12 to operate during peak periods only, due to relatively low productivity of current service. Invest service hours in other areas of the system. • Start Saturday service at 7:20 am (vs 6:40 am) due to low usage of first 2 runs. • Interline routes for customer convenience (buses switch routes at the terminal to minimize physical transfers). • Proposed modifications save 3,800 bus hours/year. Suggest allocating this saving to 20 minute frequency on Routes 2, 7, 8 and 10 for weekday peak periods.

9. Proposed Modifications • Route 1: Reduce to a 40 minute route to provide more direct service to neighbourhoods (Hilliard, Royal, Water, etc) • Route 2: Provide a direct connection between Trent University and retail areas on Chemong Rd. Improve to 20 minute frequency peak service between the downtown and Portage Place • Route 3: No short term changes – Route 2 change provides opportunity to extend Route 3 to developing residential area west of Fairbairn Street in the short-term • Route 4: Modify to provide new service to growing residential area on Ireland Dr and more direct service on Parkhill Rd • Route 5: Modify to provide two-way service to the hospital and an additional connection to Lansdowne Mall • Route 6: Modify to service Weller Street.

10. Proposed Modifications • Route 7: Modify to extend service to residential area on Braidwood Ave and provide service on George St instead of Park St to improve schedule adherence. Improve to 20 minute frequency peak service • Route 8: No change. Improve to 20 minute frequency peak service • Route 9: Remove from service and combine with Trent East Bank Express. Frequency improves to 20 minute and year route service provided to Trent University • Route 10: Modify to operate on Park St. instead of Water St due to Route 9 modification. Improve to 20 minute frequency peak service • Route 11: Modify to service Maria Street due to Route 9 modification • Route 12: Provide as a weekday peak period service only, between 6:40am and 9:40pm and between 2:40pm and 6:40pm • All routes will be interlined when buses arrive at the terminal • Fleming and Technology Drive Express: No change

11. Changes to Route Structure

12. Handi-Van and other Service Options for an Aging Population Family of Services 65 years of age 65 years of age

13. Family of Services Approach • Handi-Van and other Door to Door Services • Extend service hours to coincide with conventional transit • Arrange more ‘door to door’ trips on taxis, especially during the “shoulder” periods (improves overall cost effectiveness) • Consider Taxi Scrip program for more spontaneous trip making • Adjust Eligibility Criteria in line with AODA legislation and bring in third party application process • Reduce high rate of No-Shows • Conventional Transit • Resolve issues arising from use of priority seating by non-registrants • Increase travel training and improve accessibility at stops • Introduce New Travel Option…….a Community Bus service

14. Proposed Community Bus • Smaller accessible vehicle on a fixed route, designed for seniors and persons with disabilities • Links major origins and destinations (i.e. senior’s residences, assisted living centres, downtown, malls, medical facilities, etc.) • Two 40 minute loops which meet at the terminal. Operates 9:20am to 4:40pm, Mon. to Sat. • Pilot one route for a year and if successful (8 to 10 rides/hour) add a second route

15. 5 Year Operating Plan - Conventional Transit

16. 5 Year Operating Plan - Handi-Van and Family of Services

17. Summary • Implement interlined conventional transit routes in 2013, with 20 min. peak period service on four routes • Adopt ‘family of services’ approach, including first Community Bus route in 2013 • Plan for and implement a new downtown terminal and maintenance operations centre as soon as possible • Continue to pursue a U-Pass program with Fleming students

18. Thank You Richard Puccini, Dillon Consulting Ltd. rpuccini@dillon.ca

19. Performance – Conventional Transit Service Minimum Performance Target

20. Performance – Handi-Van

21. Peer Group Comparison Conventional Transit (2010 data) SAP Population 94,493 80,000 69,900 110,000 95,211 120,000 112,088 80,000

22. Peer Group Comparison Handi-Van (2010 data) SAP Population 112,088 94,493 69,900 109,000 92,175 120,000 80,000 80,000 71,919