Results of bus workshops show riders ready for new and better model
Monday, October 25, 2004 - Roderick Benns
The results of a questionnaire filled out by people who attended Peterborough Transit operations review workshops in June show riders are ready for a better busing model.

The questions were asked to determine current attitudes and service needs of users and potential users of Peterborough Transit as the department undergoes a review. The results were recently posted on the City’s website.

Susan Sauve, transportation demand management planner, says the results show there is a great need to amplify and improve services in public transportation.

"Most things were expected – but I was encouraged."

"People really wanted to invest in the transit system," she says.

The findings were divided into a ‘good,’ ‘better’ and ‘best’ list of improved services. Susan says the department has already gone ahead and budgeted and planned to be able to deliver on the ‘better’ list, a compromise but still one that would see vastly improved services, she says.

In the ‘better’ vision, people asked for:

Extended operating hours
Service every 20 minutes on primary routes, 30-minute service on secondary routes
Different routes that follow main streets and some that do not come through the downtown terminal, with some transfers at intersections
Fare structure mostly unchanged, more retail outlets with passes, photo ID annual pass available at a 25 per cent discount, deep discount passes for low-income users and youth
Net operating costs would increase from $3.6 million to about $4.76 million. With the gas tax credit, net costs would be $3.76 million.
All buses would be accessible, with Handi-Van service reserved for those that cannot get to stops, same day booking service, taxi back-up.
Susan says people definitely want extended hours, including Sunday service and Saturday service that begins earlier in the morning. During the week, participants wanted to see a later hour service made available. "One man told us that ‘even Cinderella could stay out until midnight,’" laughs Susan.

A full 70 per cent said timeliness of the bus service needs to improve and they also wanted better snow removal around bus stops, she says.

Susan says one dilemma the City will face is that a majority of people asked for more frequent, direct routes, but ones that are also within a five-minute walk of their homes.

"We have to consider this kind of thing carefully – it’s not that easy to deliver on," she explains.

As the department budgets for the expectation of having this better level of service, it is hoping to have direction from council by January and then a firm budgetary commitment in March.

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