DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

PRESENTATIONS

- Committee Co-ordinator’s report dated 18 Apr 00

The Commission Chair, A. Loney, made a presentation on the Funding Principles for Sustainable Urban Transportation. The presentation covered the provincial and federal mandates, the requirements and shortfalls of the Kyoto Protocol and the consequences of not acting immediately on reduction measures. Chair Loney described program initiatives in Montréal, Greater Vancouver and Alberta (Calgary and Edmonton), highlighting the following points:

Chair Loney indicated that the FCM Board of Directors has endorsed the four-point proposal in principle, directed staff to prepare a written proposal for Board consideration in June and will include the proposal in the discussions on the Infrastructure Program.

RECEIVED

Oxana Sawka, Director of Marketing, Communications and Customer Services made the following presentation.

REGULAR ITEMS

3. TRANSPLAN 2000

- Appendices 1 through 4 issued separately

Dr. Helen Gault, Director, Planning and Development, began her presentation by saying that the Comprehensive Review recommended general route restructuring and, in 1999, major changes were made to routes inside the Greenbelt. Transplan 2000 makes recommendations for route changes outside the Greenbelt, further to extensive public and employee consultations. Dr. Gault pointed out there are ongoing discussions with residents and elected representatives from Kanata and South Nepean, and she proposed that the route changes in those areas be the subject of a further report in May. The Committee agreed with this course of action.

Dr. Gault went on to describe all the proposed route changes, highlighting the following areas of concern and outlining measures to address them.

Dr. Gault concluded her presentation by drawing Committee’s attention to Table 1, which contains all the recommendations for service changes. She indicated that staff will report on changes in South Nepean and Kanata in May and will present a service performance report at the same time. Dr. Gault said OC Transpo would like to implement most of the changes on Labour Day weekend while the changes in South Nepean will await the opening of the Fallowfield station.

The Committee heard from Mr. Greg Bisaillon, a property owner and resident of Creek Crossing. He said there is a speeding problem on this street and the situation is getting more serious. The property owners approached the municipal Councillor who, along with the City of Gloucester, stopped the circulation of heavy vehicles on the street. There are also safety issues related to a small, neighbourhood park and the presence of children in the area. Mr. Bisaillon indicated that residents feel the problems will be resolved with the completion of the Orléans Blvd extension, and would prefer that service changes be made at that time. The residents of Creek Crossing have signed a petition, a copy of which was sent to the Committee, requesting that the proposed changes to Routes 125 and 28 be reconsidered.

Commissioner D. Holmes asked whether traffic calming studies were done on the street. Mr. Bisaillon replied in the negative, however Gloucester has been quick to respond with increased police activity in addition to prohibiting heavy vehicles on the street. Commissioner R. Cantin wanted to know how Gloucester has responded to his suggestion of placing concrete islands in the centre of the road, as was done in several other locations. Mr. Bisaillon responded by saying that Gloucester has not acted on this nor on any other residents’ suggestions about the use of similar devices to reduce speeds. Commissioner Cantin inquired whether Mr. Bisaillon was asked at the time he purchased his property, to sign a Schedule relative to Creek Crossing becoming a bus route in the future. He replied that he had not been informed of this eventuality, but he was aware that other property owners had signed the Schedule.

Sergeant John Crozier, Traffic Sergeant, East Division, Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Service, informed the Committee that Creek Crossing has a history of enforcement and requests for speed enforcement. He noted that the municipal standard is 40 kms @ hr whereas the provincial standard is 50 kms @ hr. A municipal survey done for the 85^th percentile has yielded speeds of 53 kms @ hr, 3 kms above the provincial standard and 13 kms above the municipal standard, which, in Sgt. Crozier’s opinion, does not represent a real problem. He indicated that, while Creek Crossing is not recognized as a speed problem, the OCRPS would continue to monitor and enforce the situation on the street. Responding to questions from Commissioner R. Cantin, Sgt. Crozier expressed the belief that traffic on Creek Crossing will decrease once the Orléans Blvd extension is completed. Commissioner Cantin thanked the Chair of the Police Services Board, Herb Kreling, and Sgt. Crozier for the way the police have responded to complaints. He added that the statistics confirm that the situation on Creek Crossing is not any worse than on any other residential street in Gloucester.

Nicholas Patterson, a resident of Ottawa-Carleton, put forward the view that, with the expenditure of taxpayer money foreseen, the Committee should have detailed short and long term implications for ridership, and estimates of revenue and expenditures as part of the analysis and approval process. He said he was concerned about the addition of routes in the suburbs as a market-building enterprise, in light of the fact that the modal market share is 15% and it has not improved over the past several years. Mr. Patterson posited the suburbs are the areas of least ridership and regular usage. The Committee should be doubtful about adding new routes unless there is a clear, demonstrated need and financial projections to support this course of action. He cited the example of service on Thorndale Avenue, a street which is parallel and close to Walkley Road, a major thoroughfare with good bus service. Mr. Patterson said he has often observed there are no passengers on the Thorndale Avenue bus. He felt there should be more attention paid to adding service when OC Transpo represents 20 to 25% of the total regional budget and serves only 15% of the population, making the subsidy component astronomical.

The Commission Chair, A. Loney, asked how Transplan 2000 corresponds with the approved budget. Dr. Gault responded by saying it is in line with the 2000 budget. She added that staff are projecting 3% ridership growth in 2000 and the recommendation to provide better accessibility in high growth areas will add to this number. In response to a question from Commissioner Cantin, Dr. Gault confirmed that the actual modal split from Orléans is in the 30% range. The General Manager, G. Diamond, pointed out that all OC Transpo’s efforts and initiatives are designed to increase the modal market share to meet the transportation plans of the Region. Dr. Gault added that ridership increased by 6% in 1999 whilst the Region’s population grew by less than 2%. Chair Loney clarified no one was challenging Mr. Patterson’s numbers, but there has been growth, and it this continues, the modal split may reach 16% in 2000.

Commissioner W. Byrne posed a number of questions regarding service changes to Route 356 and the effect on residents on Croydon and Regina Streets. She thanked staff for dealing with the situation, for hearing residents concerns and for making the recommended changes.

Commissioner M. McGoldrick-Larsen sought assurances that 15-minute service would be restored to express service on South Nepean Routes 181 and 95. Dr. Gault indicated that this would be done.

Commissioner J. Legendre, having heard the rationale for the existence of Routes 125 and 28, said he found it strange that the express route would have deeper penetration into the neighbourhood than the regular route. Dr. Gault explained that, as much as possible base service is run on arterial roads since it is expected to run 18 hours a day, 7 days a week: bringing these buses deeper into a community would affect their performance.

Commissioner Cantin spoke in support of the recommendation for changes to Routes 125 and 28, notwithstanding that a petition has been received and that other documentation in opposition has been circulated. He pointed out that the residents of Creek Crossing were made aware there would be bus service on this street at the time they purchased their property. Commissioner Cantin posited that if Orléans enjoys 33% ridership today, it is because of the planning that was done and because people stayed with the buses that were provided. There is a very high density of housing in the area: buses have to be provided or the alternative is to provide more roads or widen existing roads. Commissioner Cantin urged the Committee to support staff and the good work they did to address local residents’ concerns.

Commissioner L. Davis inquired whether staff researched the implications of lowering the age for seniors’ bus passes to 60. Dr. Gault replied that many people in their sixties are still working and if this trend continues, reducing the age for passes would have serious ridership implications for OC Transpo. Another factor is that there is no need for the bus company to produce special documentation since it relies on other sources to identify seniors.

Commissioner H. Kreling commended staff for the amount of work that has gone into Transplan 2000. He said he was pleased to see the proposal for Route 130 since it will help alleviate overcrowding on buses. He put forward a Motion calling for changes to local route 136, removing it from Charlemagne Street and Bottriel Streets and placing it on 10^th Line Road. Commissioner Kreling said he has had a number of discussions with staff, with community residents and with representatives from RTAC who support the idea. He expressed the view this is an opportunity to reintroduce bus service on 10^th Line Road. Bottriel Street is already served by one local and one express route, the maximum distance between stops is no more than 35 metres at either end of the street, and there are pathways leading to a high density development at the corner of 10^th Line Road and Charlemagne Street.

Commisisoner Kreling reiterated that putting a bus on 10^th Line Road will serve the area. This belief is shared by 75% of the area residents and the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School administration, and for these reasons, the change should be approved.

Commissioner Legendre asked that staff comment on the Motion. Dr. Gault said the rationale for staff’s proposal is to provide better accessibility to transit for the entire community. She agreed it takes marginally longer to walk to Bottriel Street than to 10^th Line Road from the school, but OC Transpo also provides buses for the school. She added that the area west of 10^th Line is inward facing and people therein will likely use Route 137. With respect to the catchment area for Route 136, it would be improved if it were on Bottriel Street. Dr. Gault also pointed out that the route on the south end of Bottriel Street to Place d’Orléans is quite long on Route 135 compared to what is being proposed for Route 136.

Commissioner M. Bellemare made reference to New Routing Suggestions contained in the Appendices, inquiring whether staff have analyzed these or whether they will be carried over to Transplan 2001. Dr. Gault indicated some suggestions are incorporated immediately whereas others are kept for future consideration. Commissioner Bellemare asked to be provided with a copy of the petition requesting that Route 124 be put back into the Beacon Hill Shopping Centre so his office can respond to questions of constituents in this regard.

The Committee then discussed a number of operational issues and suggestions made by the public. Commissioner Bellemare highlighted two of these, installing clocks in transit stations and placing heaters on the floor as opposed to the ceiling. Dr. Gault reiterated that some of the suggestions are implemented immediately whilst others are passed on to the relevant operating staff. Commissioner Bellemare liked the suggestion that there be more meaningful destination signs on buses. He proposed that, given the upcoming amalgamation of the new City of Ottawa, staff canvass Commission members for suggestions on how some of the routes can be identified.

The Committee then considered the following Motions:

Moved by D. Holmes

CARRIED

Moved by H. Kreling

CARRIED, as amended

(J. Legendre dissented)

Chair Loney congratulated Dr. Gault and her staff for the work they have accomplished during Transplan 2000.

4. TRANSPORTATION DISCOUNT FOR
ONTARIO WORKS PARTICIPANTS

The Social Services Commissioner, D. Stewart, presented the report, which describes the first year of OC Transpo’s 20% subsidy to the Department for the purchase of bus tickets and passes for Ontario Works participants. Mr. Stewart said the Department did not meet the target of $1.5 million in purchases in the first year, however it is anticipated the target will be met and surpassed in the second year. The Department has indicated to OC Transpo that it will purchase 3500 transit passes effective May 1^st, an increase over the 2000 mentioned in the report and ticket purchases will be maintained at approximately 40,000 per month. Mr. Stewart pointed out that, on an annualized basis, this will represent $2.2 million as opposed to $1.5 million.

Responding to a question from Commissioner J. Legendre, Mr. Stewart said the Department is paying for the tickets and passes out of the Ontario Works (O.W.) budget. He added that, as the demands for passes and tickets increase, there will be additional pressures put on OC Transpo’s budget to absorb the 20% discount. Commissioner Stewart expressed the hope that the Commission will continue the current level of subsidy on the increased purchases. Commissioner Legendre made reference to the Ontario Government’s criticism of the Region’s implementation of the O.W. program, inquiring whether the current subsidy could be construed as a barrier to client participation. Mr. Stewart responded by saying this is proving to be a very effective method of helping clients meet the mandatory requirement of the O.W. Act and leave the caseload to work. He added that departmental staff is careful about issuing passes to participants with sustained activities several days per month on a continuing basis.

Commissioner D. Holmes wanted to know how many clients ride the bus during peak as opposed to non-peak hours. Mr. Stewart replied that staff is unable to provide this information, as an entirely different level of manual record keeping is required. He added that the Department would bring forward a report to the Community Services Committee, detailing the Ministry’s position on Ottawa-Carleton’s participation in O.W., and more specifically, the contention that the Region is not meeting the community participation component of the program.

The Committee Chair, A. Loney, asked that OC Transpo report back on this matter at the 24 May meeting.

5. UPDATE ON PARATRANSPO SERVICE