I really am wondering what Guelph Transit is thinking.Slowing down service?Every other public transit system in the world does not slow down service during peak times, they increase it! Just look around us, from Toronto to Brampton to Kitchener, every system puts extra buses and service on during peak periods to help get people from point a and b.
Yes, there is more traffic and stop signs but every other city has the same problem as we do and have addressed it accordingly.
The problem with Guelph Transit is, it still has not figured out how to run a proper rush hour peak service yet and, on top of that, to start getting rid of the traditional 30 minute routes. The system needs a total review. It is time to seriously look at new delivery methods such as new route layouts, different service times and levels and different types of express services.
The idea on having a bus every 15 minutes during peak times has been floated around since the late 1990’s, however, when Guelph Transit tried to do it, it fail. It is very simple to see why it failed, it did not follow the same method like other transit systems use. The idea is the bus comes in, drops everyone off, picks up people and goes. It does not wait around for all the buses to come in, it moves. If people miss the connecting bus, they do not need to worry, as the next bus would be there in 15 instead of 30 or more. This has been done in Toronto for decades and in most cases, people are not late or be as late unlike the our current system. The proposed 40 minute service is going to make it much worse, not better.
By going to every 40 during peak times, Guelph Transit has taken a step back. With all the investment in transit lately, a growing ridership and environmental concerns rising, who in their right mind would decrease service? With the loss of the Guelph Transit Advisory Committee a few years ago, there has not been a group to advise Guelph Transit on what the riders think. There have been many reports, ideas, and suggestions for years to improve transit, however, they seem to get lost in foolish choices like this without serioulsy looking at all the options.
Let’s put the public back into public transit and ask the people first before doing something that lacks any real progress for Guelph Transit users. SP
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I share your concerns about reducing the frequency of transit service during peak hours. I know there will also be many members of Council who share your concerns. This will most certainly be a key issue that we will discuss moving into the 2008 budget process.
As I understand the situation, our staff cannot meet the demand for service given their current 2007 budget allocation. They need more buses and drivers to meet the 30 minute schedule. It is unfortunate that this situation was not understood when Council set their 2007 budget. As a municipal Council, once our budget is set we cannot, by legislation, increase it or put ourselves in a deficit situation.
You document many solid reasons why we should be moving in the direction of increased service and not less.
I am glad to learn that there are a growing list of individuals who are concerned about transit service. That support will be important moving forward.
I will be asking the Chair of the Emergency, Community and Operations Committee to place this issue on their next agenda so we can begin to discuss how we can better support transit service in 2008.
Regards,
Karen Farbridge
Mayor