1. What is your personal experience and policy approach to transportation in Guelph?*
My personal experience and policy approach are both to use and to provide a range of transportation options. My primary mode of transportation year-round is a private vehicle although I'm often car-pooling. My kids take transit. I ride my e-bike as much as I can. I love taking the GO Train to Toronto and I take transit locally, albeit not as often as I'd like to.
2. What changes do you propose for Guelph Transit and what is your priority issue for improving Guelph Transit?*
We have a sound $254M 10-year plan to electrify and expand transit and shift from a hub-model to a grid and perimeter system. I support its implementation and acceleration where possible. In particular, as we build out new high-density developments, like 1888 Gordon, and promise walkability and transit, then the bus has to be there on day 1, not in 10 years. I was an advocate for the first ever transit route in the Hanlon Creek Business Park, which were long overdue. I will continue to advocate for better service in industrial areas and schedules that meet shift changes. I also think it's essential to have at least on-demand service to align with the first and last GO Trains.
ECONOMIC
Public transit contributes to our economic competitiveness across different scales—from the macro economic impacts of infrastructure investments to the community benefits of improved mobility. Transit also creates benefits for us as a society, by improving sustainability, and for individual households, by reducing the cost of living.
3. Since reliable, frequent transit systems are an asset to economic development and that every $1.00 spent on public transportation has an economic benefit to the community of between $3 and $5 dollars (CUTA), would you be in favour of investing more (operational and capital) into public transit?*
Yes
No
Other: It depends how much and on what. I'd much rather spend on drivers and buses that increase service than on electric signs or fare boxes.
4. To be more cost-efficient at meeting modal split goals and implementing intermodal transportation plans, many cities have their Transportation Services, Transit, and Economic Development departments under one roof.
In the Navigating our Future part of the Future Ready Plan, transit and transportation services are listed together but work under two different Deputy CAO's.
Would you support placing these departments back together under one Deputy CAO (as they were prior to the 2005 realignment) to achieve maximum transportation integration, policy implementation, and financial efficiency?*
Yes
No
Other: I don't have enough information to answer. Some cities have transit commissions as well. I don't know if that's a better model either.
AFFORDABLE
Because Guelph Transit has depended on rider fares for almost 45% of its operating budget, lower ridership during the pandemic created significant budget shortfalls. Guelph Transit ridership is not projected to recover to 100% in the immediate future. As of Summer 2022, Guelph Transit's overall ridership was at about 80% of pre-pandemic levels. The provincial and federal governments provided transit operating funding during the pandemic through the Safe Restart Agreements, but this funding will soon expire.
5. If Guelph Transit faces continued budget shortfalls due to slow ridership recovery, will you oppose cuts to transit service, the deferral of capital projects, and increases to fares?
*
Yes
No
Other: Yes - I will oppose cuts to service. Yes - I will oppose increasing fares. I'm not sure if I would defer a capital project. It depends on the project and the impact on the rider. So, I would not defer bus purchases but I would defer electronic signs.
6. Will you be a strong champion for Guelph to the provincial and federal governments for their continued investment in Guelph Transit operating funding to protect and expand transit service levels? Will you also make sure the Transit Gas Tax funding goes directly to a transit reserve and not general revenues?
*
Yes
No
Other: You've asked two questions. Of course I have been and will continue to be a strong champion with federal and provincial governments for investment in Transit. We need it! There are two "gas taxes". The provincial gas tax is required to go to transit. It is used 100% for transit bus renewal. The federal Gas Tax, now renamed the Canada Community-Building Fund, can be used for infrastructure that contributes to cleaner air, cleaner water, and reduced greenhouse gases. Those funds go to the CCBF reserve fund (not general revenues) and is used for road, bridge and facility reconstruction - including transit lanes, the new downtown bus station and other transit-related projects.
FARES
Like most North American cities, Guelph relies on the fare box to fund a significant portion of its transit operations. However, there are many cities around the world looking to battle climate change by lowering fares, adding fare-free options and in some instances going completely fare-free.
The Guelph Transit Fare Strategy is coming in the next few months and may include some but not all of the below questions.
7. Fare capping is a simple concept in public transit fare payments that eliminates the inadvertent social inequity caused by having riders pay upfront for unlimited ride monthly passes.
At its simplest, fare capping rewards all riders for traveling by automatically providing ‘period passes’ based on how much they ride/spend over periods of time (i.e. Weekly/Monthly) without needing to purchase them upfront.
Will you support funding for fare capping?*
Yes
No
Other: I'd definitely like to know more.
8. Many cities are lowering fares to help recover ridership from Covid, attract new riders to meet climate goals, and give those struggling with higher expenses, like families with two or more vehicles, an affordable alternative.
Would you support lowering transit fares to meet climate goals and help struggling families?*
Yes
No
Other: I'd need to know what the reductions are and what would offset them. I definitely support the affordable bus pass and kids ride free.
9. Free transit systems are on the rise around the world. Luxembourg eliminated the fares on its buses, trains, and trams throughout the tiny country in 2020. Malta currently makes transit free for young people and seniors, and all fares will be eliminated by October 2022. Cities across Canada, the United States, France, Sweden, Bulgaria, and more have free transit, too.
Would you be in support of having City Staff investigate the different fare-free transit models and have them report back to Council in 2023?*
Yes
No
Other: I'd like to explore free transit for kids and seniors.
10. Will you support implementing fare free public transit to high school students?
Expanding free Guelph Transit to high school students can create transit users for life. A Kingston, Ontario program to provide free transit passes to high school students, along with an on-bus orientation session to teach students how to ride the bus, has increased overall transit ridership by 73% since 2012. *
Yes
No
Other: Getting teens on transit is important so I'd like to know more. In fact, I'd love the school boards to switch to Guelph Transit for high schools. Taxpayer dollars fund schools. Those funds could help pay for transit and teens would have experience on transit and a pass to get to jobs, recreation, movies, etc.
11. Will you support permanent funding for the Sliding Scale Affordable Bus Pass and the Kids Ride Free pilot programs?
Yes X
No
Other:
12. With an expanding city, traveling across Guelph by bus takes longer. Some riders are having to pay double the fare as transfers are only valid for 1 hour from the time you board the bus.
Many neighbouring transit systems have moved to a 2-hour transfer window. This allows riders to hop on and hop off to do things like support local businesses and restaurants.
Will you support directing staff to put into place a 2-hour transfer for Guelph Transit by Q1 2023?
Yes X
No
Other:
RELIABILITY
In a city that has valued private automobile ownership over reliable and quality bus services, reliability has become and continued to be an issue. The number of bus route cancellations over the past decade has jumped considerably and had an economic impact on local businesses, while workers have lost job opportunities.
Transit improvements for reliability don’t need to cost millions of dollars and take decades to build. Measures like traffic signal priority and bus lanes are cost-effective ways to improve reliability and speed.
13. How much do you value reliability? What will you do to make transit more reliable for the next 4 years? *
The city is investing in more buses and drivers and more intuitive routes. We're increasing the spare bus ratio and hiring operators. These should contribute to more reliable service. I'll continue to support that. Reliability is foundational.
14. Will you support priority measures that will improve Guelph Transit service and make routes more effective, like traffic signal priority, queue jump lanes for buses and all-door boarding during peak times?*
Yes X
No
Other:
15. In 2020, Guelph City Council approved a non-tender of software for On-Demand Transit. This has led to mixed results.
Some examples include having all riders book 15-minutes in advance compared to other On-Demand apps, and language barriers for those who do not speak English as a first language.
Would you support an independent review of the On-Demand system?
This means looking at comparable cities, their schedules, software, and best practices and bringing back recommendations for improvements.
Yes X
No
Other:
16. When it works, On-Demand can be a great tool for select holidays and other situations, however, not all holidays or situations are equal.
For example, Civic Holiday (John Galt Day) is not considered a Statutory Holiday for everyone with the majority of people having to still get to and from work. On Canada Day, a number of riders reported wait times equivalent to a normal fixed scheduled bus route of 30 minutes.
Would you support a public consultation and review of each holiday's transit service levels?*
Yes X
No
Other:
FREQUENCY
Research has shown that the key to getting people to ride transit in communities is the frequency of service and travel time. Most people are only prepared to wait 15-minutes for a bus.
High-frequency service means buses arrive at stops more often leading to shorter waits at every point on your transit trip, including transfer points. This, along with transit priority measures and simple direct routes with ease of connections to your destination, helps reduce travel times. Frequent and reliable service also makes spontaneous trips on transit easier.
17. Will you support the creation of a 15-minute-or-better bus network along the Transit Quality Network?
*
Yes
No
Other: I support the current transit plan, including accelerating it when possible. I can't answer your question without knowing what the costs or the timelines are. That would be irresponsible.
18. Would you support increasing frequency to 15-minutes or better on key routes 7 days a week? *
Yes
No
Other: Where it makes sense, for example, the 99 mainline I would certainly support - and use- this service. However, I can't support something without having any information on the costs, ridership, etc.
19. Would you support expanding and increasing the frequency of off-peak and nighttime service to better serve shift workers, women, and low-income riders who depend on transit most?
Yes
No
Other: The needs of shift workers really needs to be addressed. This may be a perfect service for On-Demand and is worth exploring.
ACCESIBILITY
Public transit is a lifeline and must be accessible to all. For example, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (2021) raised accessibility concerns about the PRESTO system. Many of these same concerns and issues can also be linked to Guelph Transit's On Your Way card system.
To be useful, transit must make it easy for riders to access bus routes from their homes and provide convenient service to the destination riders want to go. To be accessible, sidewalks to bus stops and stations must be a high priority for snow clearing, and stops should have proper amenities such as shelters and lighting.
20. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) deadline for full accessibility is coming up in 2025. How will you make sure Guelph Transit meets AODA regulations? What else will you do to make transit more accessible to the public?
The feedback on our Mobility service is excellent. Our conventional buses also have low steps which help with universal accessibility. If there are any gaps in meeting AODA requirements - or even going beyond - Guelph Transit staff can bring those operational concerns to Council to request funding. Accessibility is a priority for me. I am eager to see what is proposed for accessible way-finding.
21. Will you champion more funding from the provincial government to expand Mobility service and protect door-to-door Mobility service for those who need it?
Yes X
No
Other:
22. As bus tickets were replaced by On Your Way single-fare tickets and cards, will you work to ensure continued access to transit for individuals marginalized by poverty, and drop-in agencies continue to have access?
This includes ensuring access to bulk ordering for drop-ins and community organizations that distribute Guelph Transit single ride tickets, expanding locations to buy and reload On Your Way cards, and eliminating the $5 fee to purchase a card.
Yes X
No
Other:
23. Will you work to improve winter and pedestrian safety at bus stops?
This involves snow and ice clearing to ensure all riders can safely board their bus during the winter, expanding signalized mid-block crossings, and improving amenities at stops.
Yes X
No
Other:
24. Will you work to improve riders’ everyday experience navigating Guelph Transit?
This involves improving customer service by creating a Customer Service Plan and hiring a dedicated Customer Service Manager, more supportive staff at major transit hubs, wifi at stations, benches and shelters, and introducing an accessible wayfinding standard using graphics, Braille, visual and audio announcements, as well as translating construction detours and emergency notices into languages other than English.*
Yes
No
Other: Of course, I want to improve riders' experience. However, what you describe are operational responsibilities at Guelph Transit. Individual councillors and Council aren't involved in the staffing details. I support improving infrastructure like benches and shelters (decent shelters that actually shelter people) and I support greater accessibility for transit users.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Brent Toderian recently told the city that “You're green, but not as green as you think you are” when it comes to reaching our communities climate actions and goals.
Simply keeping your car at home and taking public transit for your 30-kilometre morning commute could eliminate 10 percent of your household GHG emissions if you own two cars. And getting rid of one car in favour of public transit could help you reduce 30 percent of your carbon dioxide emissions.
25. The pandemic has seen many former transit trips shift onto private vehicles. Will you support policies that help move people back onto public transit from private vehicles (personal or ride-hailing)?*
Yes X
No
Other:
26. Will you support moving more quickly to implement the recommendations in the Transportation Master Plan and create priority transit corridors in the next term of Council?*
Yes
No
Other: No. The Gordon St improvements which will add a centre turn lane from Gordon to Lowes is necessary before we can contemplate a priority transit corridor. It would be premature to implement in the next term of Council.
27. In one high-profile report, C40 cities declared that, “public transport usage must double in cities over the next decade.” Would you support a plan to double ridership by 2032?*
Yes
No
Other: Again, funding, staffing, grants, timing... all important considerations to answer your question.
28. The Future Ready Plan of the Transit Route Review will only see the modal share of transit use increase by 2 per cent over the next decade to 13 per cent compared to 11 per cent in 2017. Would you support a plan to double ridership by 2026?*
Yes
No
Other: Again, funding, staffing, grants, timing... all important considerations to answer your question.
FUTURE READY
The "Essential Elements of Good Transit" lays out the key areas that all Transit departments should follow. Fast, Frequent, Reliable, Accessible, User-Friendly, and Being on the Way.
At the end of the day, a critical question has yet to be understood and discussed in full by Council, Staff, the community, and transit users - What do we want our transit system to be?
29. Before discussing which route goes where what we first should be focusing on is how much of the limited resources do we want to be dedicated to doing one thing over another & if we want to put more money into achieving a more balanced network or not.
Do we want a transit system focus on high coverage with buses stopping all over the city, or on high frequency to the most popular areas or routes?
Unfortunately, it looks like we "skipped" over this conservation when the Route Review was in development and approved by Council.
Will you support directing Staff as part of the upcoming Transit Master Plan in 2023 to have this question answered?
This also includes the Route Review and Fare Strategy to be included in the TMP process.
*
Yes X
No
Other:
30. Brent Toderian said to Guelphities “Your actions and your targets will not get you to 63 per cent less emissions per capita by 2030. I'm not even sure they will get you there by 2050. You're not going far enough, fast enough."
Would you support having staff look at ways to expedite implementing the Transit Route Review plan in 5 years instead of 7-10 years?*
Yes
No
Other: There are measures built into the current plan to accelerate where ridership is highest. In addition, if we receive additional funding from other levels of government, then we can definitely look to accelerate.
REGIONAL TRANSIT
The urban areas of the Grand River Watershed (Waterloo-Kitchener-Cambridge, Guelph, and
Brantford), although close in proximity, do not have efficient (if any) transit links between them.
GO Transit service, although available in all the urban areas, is not geared towards these local transit connections and is not meeting the needs of transit users who need local transit between our communities. The loss of Greyhound service has exacerbated already lacking intercommunity transit options. Despite deregulation, private operators have not filled the void quickly enough.
With a job market that is in desperate need of employees, potential workers cannot fill jobs because of non existent transit connections, the high cost of owning a car, and more affordable living costs in a different city (i.e. rent)
31. Existing and potential transit users have been vocal for years about the poor transit connectivity between our communities. A growing number of University and College Student Unions, University and College Faculty Associations, Environmental groups, local Chambers, and Transit Advocacy groups want to see something like the "Link the Watershed" proposal put into place - a concept already found in several Ontario communities.
Both Waterloo Region (GRT) and Brantford are looking at the Link the Watershed proposal but Guelph has been a holdout.
Will you support directing staff to connect with these municipalities to work together in finding solutions to better coordinate and connect our communities together with local transit?*
Yes X
No
Other:
32. The Route Review does not plan on inter-regional transit until 2025 with a route from Guelph Central Station into Cambridge, with one to Kitchener set to come onboard in 2026, followed by an Aberfoyle connection in 2027.
Would you support a revised timeline on regional transit that puts the first route (Cambridge) in place by the end of 2023?*
Yes
Other:
34. Is there anything else you'd like to say about Transit in Guelph? Please feel free to leave a response below. If you'd like to have a one-on-one with members of TAAG, please let us know!
I want to thank TAAG for their ongoing advocacy and constructive role in the development of our transit system. There's no question transit in Guelph can be improved. It's important for thousands of people that it be a reliable way to get to work, school, a meeting or a movie. I personally try, and encourage others, to switch at least a few trips each month to transit and I have advocated to expand transit in my ward. There's no question, transit is key to meet our community greenhouse gas targets. A huge challenge we face as a city is in expanding and electrifying the system at the same time. We also have expectations from people who have come from larger cities where the transit system is paid for by a million people, or three million people, not 142,000. We've made progress in the past few years. We have a good plan to move forward. I'm open to hearing about how we can do that better and faster.
35. Where can people learn more about you and your campaign? (Please include links to the website and any social media channels.)*
ORourkeWard6.ca
Twitter: @Elect_ORourke
FB: ElectORourke
