Transplan '08
Report to/Rapport au :
Transit Committee
Comité des services de transport en commun
26 May 2008 / le 26 mai 2008
Submitted by/Soumis par: Nancy Schepers, Deputy City Manager/Directrice municipale adjointe,
Planning, Transit and the Environment/Urbanisme, Transport en commun et Environnement
Contact Person/Personne ressource : Alain Mercier, Director/Directeur
Transit Services/Services du transport en commun
613-842-3636 x2271, Alain.Mercier@ottawa.ca
Ref N°: ACS2008-PTE-TRA-0003 |
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OBJET : |
REPORT RECOMMENDATION
That the Transit Committee receive this report for information.
RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT
Que le Comité du transport en commun reçoive le présent rapport à titre d’information.
BACKGROUND
This report describes the transit route changes that will be made later this year, based on the route change proposals that were circulated in February and March, the public consultation that took place in March and April and the discussions that staff held with the Councillors for the wards affected in May. The planning and consultation process is outlined in Appendix A.
Some of the route changes differ from the proposals that were circulated earlier in the year. The revisions are based on the results of the consultation and subsequent discussions with the Councillors for the wards affected.
DISCUSSION
Route 2 – Improved Reliability of Service (New Routes 2 and 12)
Route 2 will be changed to improve service for transit customers by improving the reliability of service. The current Route 2 will be divided into two separate routes, one, to be identified as Route 2, operating from Bayshore Station through Westboro Station to downtown (Rideau Centre), and the other, to be identified as Route 12, operating from Blair Station to downtown (Bank/Slater). The new Route 2 will use the new bus loop to be built at Nicholas and Waller. The frequencies of service on both new routes will be similar to that provided on the current Route 2. A map of the new route arrangement is attached in Document 1.
The change will improve service for 26,000 customer-trips each day by improving the reliability of service. The change will also cause an inconvenience for 400 customer-trips each day by increasing the number of transfers that they need to make to travel between points east of the Rideau Centre and south and west of Bank/Slater.
Route 3 – Improved Reliability of Service (New Routes 3 and 9)
Route 3 will be changed to improve service for transit customers by improving the reliability of service. The current Route 3 will be divided into two separate routes, one, to be identified as Route 3, operating from Colonnade via Prince of Wales and Preston to downtown (Rideau Centre), and the other, to be identified as Route 9, operating from Hurdman Station via Vanier Parkway, Sussex, and Dalhousie, to downtown (Bank/Slater). The new Route 3 will use the new bus loop to be built at Nicholas and Waller. The frequencies of service on both new routes will be similar to that provided on the current Route 3. A map of the new route arrangement is attached in Document 2.
The change will improve service for 8,800 customer-trips each day by improving the reliability of service. The change will also cause an inconvenience for 100 customer-trips each day by increasing the number of transfers that they need to make, primarily for trips made between points on Preston and points on Sussex.
Route 84 – Improved Service (New Routes 98 and 114)
Route 84 will be changed to improve service for transit customers by improving the reliability of service. The current Route 84 will be divided into two separate routes. One, to be identified as Route 98, will operate from Hawthorne/Hunt Club through the Greenboro and Hunt Club areas to South Keys Station and then via the Transitway directly to downtown, ending at Tunney’s Pasture Station. The other, to be identified as Route 114, will operate from Hurdman Station, via St. Laurent, Elmvale, and Conroy, through the Greenboro and Hunt Club areas, ending at Greenboro Station. The frequency of service on Route 98 will be similar to the current Route 84 service east from Greenboro Station. The new Route 98 will use the new bus loop to be built at Hawthorne and Hunt Club. The frequency of service on Route 114 will be similar to the combined service of Routes 84, 85, and 111 north of Elmvale and will be similar to the current ‘C84’ service in the residential area east of Conroy. A map of the new route arrangement is attached in Document 3.
The change will improve service for 9,900 customer-trips each day by improving the reliability of service, by making service more consistent and convenient, and by reducing the number of transfers that they will have to make. The change will also cause an inconvenience for 210 customer-trips each day by increasing the number of transfers that they need to make.
This change to Route 84 is also connected to recommended changes on Routes 85 and 111. The service provided by the new Route 114 north of Elmvale will be the only all-day service on St. Laurent and will replace the current service provided there by Routes 84, 85, and 111. This change will make the service on St. Laurent much more convenient and consistent than the current arrangement.
Route 85 – Improved Reliability of Service (New Routes 85, 106, and 114)
Route 85 will be changed to improve service for transit customers by improving the reliability of service. The current Route 85 will be divided into two separate routes. One, to be identified as Route 85, will operate from Bayshore Station via Carling Avenue, through downtown, and then via the Transitway to Hurdman Station. The other, to be identified as Route 106, will operate from Hurdman Station, via the Transitway and Smyth, via the ring road of the hospital complex, and via Smyth to Elmvale Terminal. The frequency of service on the new Route 85 will be identical to the current service. The frequency of service on Route 106 will be more frequent than the current Route 85 service. A map of the new route arrangement is attached in Document 4.
The change will improve service for approximately 21,000 customer-trips each day by improving the reliability of service, by making service more consistent and convenient, and by reducing the number of transfers that they will have to make. The change will also cause an inconvenience for approximately 3,700 customer-trips each day by increasing the number of transfers that they need to make. The inconvenience of additional transfers will be mitigated by the improved frequency of service on the new Route 106 and by the improved reliability on both Routes 85 and 106.
The service that Route 85 now provides on St. Laurent north of Elmvale will be provided by the new Route 114, described earlier.
Route 111 – Improved Reliability of Service (New Routes 111, 112, and 121)
Route 111 will be changed to improve service for transit customers by improving the reliability of service. The current Route 111 will be divided into three separate routes. One, to be identified as Route 111, will operate from Lincoln Fields Station, via Viewmount, Meadowlands, and Heron, through Billings Bridge Station, and then via the Transitway to Hurdman Station. The second, to be identified as Route 112, will operate from Billings Bridge Station via Bank, Heron, Baycrest, Walkley, and Russell to Elmvale Terminal. The third route, to be identified as Route 121, will operate from Hurdman Station via Terminal, Belfast, and St. Laurent to St. Laurent Station. The frequency of service on all routes will be similar to the current service, but with new Sunday service on Route 121. A map of the new route arrangement is attached in Document 5.
The change will improve service for approximately 7,400 customer-trips each day by improving the reliability of service, by reducing the number of transfers that they will have to make, and by reducing the distance that they will need to walk to the nearest bus stop. The change will also cause an inconvenience for approximately 1,600 customer-trips each day by increasing the number of transfers that they need to make.
Route 316 – Operating Cost Savings (New Routes 153 and 316)
Route 316 will be changed to reduce operating costs, and to allow the re‑allocation of resources to other parts of the OC Transpo system. The current Route 316 will be divided into two separate routes, one, to be identified as Route 316, operating from Sandy Hill to the Rideau Centre, and the other, to be identified as Route 153, operating from Cartier/Gladstone to LeBreton Station. The frequencies of service on both new routes will be identical to that provided on the current Route 316. A map of the new route arrangement is attached in Document 6.
The change will cause an inconvenience for approximately 10 customer-trips each day by requiring them to walk further to their nearest bus stop or to make another transfer. The change will be an overall benefit to transit customers because the resources that are made available can provide greater benefit on busier parts of the system.
Barrhaven South – New Service from Stonebridge West Area (Route 171)
Route 171 will be changed to provide new service in the Stonebridge area of Barrhaven on Kilbirnie between Blackleaf and Kilmarnock during the peak periods from Monday to Friday. Service will operate every 30 minutes. A map of the new route arrangement is attached in Document 7.
The recommended change will improve service for 60 customer-trips each day by reducing the distance they need to walk to their nearest bus stop or by reducing their travel time. The new service is justified by the Transit Service and Fare Policies adopted in 2005, as it serves an area where 250 or more houses would otherwise be beyond a five-minute walk of the nearest bus stop.
Kanata North – New Service from Brookside Area (New Route 162)
The new Route 162 will be introduced to provide new southbound service in the morning and northbound service in the afternoon, operating from the Brookside area of Kanata North via March and Teron to Teron Station and Eagleson Station. Service will operate every 30 minutes during peak periods only. A map of the new route arrangement is attached in Document 8.
The change will improve service for 55 customer-trips each day by reducing the distance they need to walk to their nearest bus stop or by reducing their travel time. The new service is justified by the Transit Service and Fare Policies adopted in 2005, as it serves an area where 250 or more houses would otherwise be beyond a five-minute walk of the nearest bus stop.
Prince of Wales – New Service from Colonnade to Hurdman Station (New Route 158)
The new Route 158 will replace the current Route 107 and will provide two-way service from Colonnade via Prince of Wales and Billings Bridge Station to Hurdman Station. Service will operate every 30 minutes during peak periods only. Also, a minor change will be made to Route 3, to operate two ways via the north section of Colonnade. A map of the new route arrangement is attached in Document 9.
The change will improve service for 85 customer-trips each day by reducing the distance they need to walk to their nearest bus stop or by reducing their travel time. The change will also cause an inconvenience for 60 customer-trips each day by increasing the distance that they need to walk to their nearest bus stop.
Other Proposals Examined
A change was proposed to Route 2, to reduce travel time for customers by removing the current operation on the grounds of Lincoln Fields Shopping Centre. Based on the results of the consultation process, this proposal has been withdrawn.
Transit Planning for Future Years
Staff are continuing to evaluate transit service changes to respond to forthcoming changes in travel needs and to improve the reliability and convenience of transit service. In particular, staff are currently working on transit service arrangements for the new RCMP head office in Barrhaven, for the four new park and ride lots now under construction (Millennium, Chapel Hill, Leitrim and Riverview), a reorganization of routes in the Westboro-Carlingwood area and a reorganization of routes in the section of Orléans east of Tenth Line. New service is expected to be required in 2009 in new parts of Orléans, Riverside South, Barrhaven and Kanata. Staff will be ensuring that all plans are consistent with the long-term rapid transit plans that have been decided by Council.
CONSULTATION
Consultation on the proposed route changes was conducted as set out in the Transit Service and Fare Policies approved by Council in 2005. The major service change proposals, those that would cause an inconvenience for 100 or more customer-trips per day, were presented for consultation on octranspo.com and by leaflets distributed on board buses on the affected routes.
Comments from customers were received in writing by mail, e-mail, and fax. In all, 518 comments were received. Of those, 374 were in support of the proposals and 144 were in opposition to the proposals. Of the 374 comments in support of the proposals, 175 comments also included a suggestion for further improvement that was outside of the scope of the proposals.
These service changes will be discussed with the new Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee at the next opportunity.
All of the service changes have been discussed with the Councillors for the wards affected, and staff and the Councillors for the wards affected have agreed on the changes to be made. A record of the agreements is available on request from the Clerk's office.
NEXT STEPS
Transit customers will be advised of these service changes this month on octranspo.com and in detail by leaflets distributed on board buses several weeks before the changes begin. Transit staff will assist Councillors in preparing any information to be distributed locally.
Suggestions for further service changes from transit customers, residents and employees will continue to be collected and evaluated for future years’ Transplan processes.
All of the service changes will be assessed after one year of operation to check that they are meeting their objectives and that they remain the best way to provide transit service in the areas affected. Any changes which are found to be unsuccessful will be removed or revised, as appropriate.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
There are no financial implications associated with this report, as all of the service changes will be made within the budgeted transit service levels.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Document 1 – New Routes 2 and 12
Document 2 – New Routes 3 and 9
Document 3 – New Routes 98 and 114
Document 4 – New Routes 85 and 106
Document 5 – New Routes 111, 112 and 121
Document 6 – New Routes 153 and 316
Document 7 – Revised Route 171 in Barrhaven South
Document 8 – New Route 162 in Kanata North
Document 9 – New Route 158 on Prince of Wales
Appendix A – Transplan Planning and Consultation Process
NEW ROUTES 2 AND 12 DOCUMENT 1
NEW ROUTES 3 AND 9 DOCUMENT 2
NEW ROUTES 98 AND 114 DOCUMENT 3
NEW ROUTES 85 AND 106 DOCUMENT 4
NEW ROUTES 111, 112 AND 121 DOCUMENT 5
NEW ROUTES 153 AND 316 DOCUMENT 6
REVISED ROUTE 171 IN BARRHAVEN SOUTH DOCUMENT 7
NEW ROUTE 162 IN KANATA NORTH DOCUMENT 8
NEW ROUTE 158 ON PRINCE OF WALES DOCUMENT 9
TRANSPLAN PLANNING AND CONSULTATION PROCESS APPENDIX A
City staff conduct the Transplan service planning and consultation process each year to:
· evaluate suggestions that have been made for transit service changes by customers, residents and employees;
· plan transit service changes that address the changing travel needs of city residents, workers, students, shoppers and visitors, particularly in developing neighbourhoods;
· consult with transit customers and residents on the proposals; and,
· make final plans based on the results of the consultation.
The evaluation of the suggestions to develop the proposals and the final plans is conducted according to the Transit Service and Fare Policies adopted by Council in 2005. These policies include:
· a financial standard, to guide the level to which funding is available to support new or low-ridership services;
· standards on walking distances, to guide when and where new services should be introduced in new areas; and
· standards on service hours, levels of service and service capacity, to guide how frequently and over what hours of the week each service element of the transit network is provided.
The consultation and approval process for the annual Transplan process has seven steps:
- Initial consultation with the Councillors whose wards are affected (February-March 2008);
- Publication of the proposals on octranspo.com and on leaflets distributed on board buses and door-to-door, if appropriate (March 2008);
- A public open house in the area affected, if appropriate (not required this year);
- Comments from transit customers and residents and businesses are collected, compiled and examined to determine whether the proposal should be revised (March-April 2008);
- Consultation with the Councillors whose wards are affected to discuss the results of the consultation and revisions and to determine whether the Councillor concurs with the proposal (May 2008);
- If the Councillor does not concur, a staff report with a recommendation will be presented to Transit Committee (not required this year); and,
- If the Councillor does concur or if the proposal has been approved by Transit Committee and Council, the service changes proceed to implementation.