Today at Transit Commission, an update was provided on how OC Transpo plans to address the service reliability issues with the train and the bus service across the City. This includes the following items:
- $2 million to provide for increased Para Transpo service;
- Provide new and improved connections to Line 1 –new growth areas, earlier/later trips, employment locations, new Chapel Hill park and ride parking lot.
- $43 million to replace 63 buses that have reached the end of their 15-year life, and $6 million toward the electric bus pilot
- $7.5 million to expand the bus network to improve service reliability, increase capacity, reduce wait time and provide for new connections to growth areas
- $5.8 million to renew existing transit infrastructure, including buildings and Transitway
- $2.85 million to improve Transitway and O-Train stations and other facilities with amenities like benches for the benefit of customers and operations
- $1.8 million to replace operational support vehicles for security, supervision, maintenance, stores and other services
- $4.8 million for the Rail Operational Readiness Program to support expanded multimodal transit service as part of Stage 2, through communications and training initiatives
- $900,000 to install new bus pads, shelters and other bus stop improvements
- $15 million to implement the first portion of bus service detours, specifically for Line 2 and the east extension of Line 1, that will be in place for construction of Stage 2
- $500,000 to fund accessibility improvements to Transitway and O-Train stations and other facilities
Additionally, the Transit Commission was advised that OC Transpo will be working to increase communications with riders through various mediums including open data feeds, social media, websites, online, and at stations.
I see this as a good first step towards remediating the many issues that residents and transit riders have flagged with both my office and to OC Transpo directly. I look forward to OC Transpo’s responses to my specific concerns outlined in the inquiry I filed at Council earlier this month. In the meantime, I will continue to ensure concerns and problems are heard by OC Transpo senior staff, as well as work to make certain that OC Transpo remains flexible and responsive in addressing these issues.
