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Commuter Service The Statistics and the Need for a Commuter Service?. Facts. Town of Smiths Falls is rapidly growing and actively recruiting new residents from the National Capital Region. $26,000 is budgeted under Residential Attraction
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Commuter Service The Statistics and the Need for a Commuter Service?
Facts • Town of Smiths Falls is rapidly growing and actively recruiting new residents from the National Capital Region. • $26,000 is budgeted under Residential Attraction • Residents are commuting to the Ottawa area for employment and educational opportunities. • The #1 question? Do you have a commuter service to and from Ottawa?
StatsThe commuter demographic - How they get to work/college/university*Source – Stats Can – Environics Adjusted Census Data *Bronson Study conducted for LCT Transit in 2007 found 6% of the population was employed somewhere else in a Lanark County Community
Commuting “Get on the Road or get on Track” • Over the summer 10 inquiries from potential new residents seeking Smiths Falls as a future home. Of these inquiries 9people asked about commuter service to and from Ottawa. Real Estate Agents can attest to the need for commuter service. • From the commuter survey conducted last year 19 of the 21 participants felt having a commuter service from Smiths Falls to Ottawa would influence people to move here from Ottawa. The other two didn’t feel it was a factor.
Recommendations • Continue to work with Greyhound to secure a earlier departure schedule –For the interim use Craig Street Road allowance for increased parking capacity. ($186.45/ 20 tickets) • Continue to work with Via to add train frequency and commuter e -pass option (potential cost: $284.00 - $177.00/ 20 passes) • Strike a Commuter Task Force to seek interest and develop strategy. • Promote Smiths Falls as a community with a commuter service – “build on Greyhound”
Questions/ Discussion Please visit www.smithsfalls.ca for more information regarding the Town of Smiths Falls commuter options. Thank - you