Before taking the summer off, the Transit Advisory Committee will look at couple of matters that will surely be an issue when they come back in the fall. Along with the usual rider concerns and updates, committee will look at what the expansion of mobility service might look like and when you might start hearing about the changes coming to the monthly pass this fall.
NOTE #1: This meeting takes place at 5:30 pm in Committee Meeting Room A at City Hall.
Chair and Staff Announcements – So far there’s only once announcement posted, and that’s the resignation of Member Rehman from the Board.
Information Report: Fare Capping – As you’re probably aware, council approved the new monthly bus program in April along with the new change in the cost of monthly passes and cash fares. Those changes will take effect in September, and the City’s communications and transit staff have a plan to inform the public that they’ll share with the TAC committee at the meeting. Keep your eyes out starting on July 10 when much of the public facing campaign gets underway with bus shelter ads, social media blast, emails, and even some commercials on Spotify.
Information Report: Mobility Services Expansion Plan – Guelph Transit is currently looking at expansion plans for mobility services for consideration the multiyear budget that will coming to council for approval later this year. There are about 1,300 active users of the service, and they made over 24,000 trips in 2022, so you can tell that there’s a growing need, but there’s a question about how best to answer the need. Committee will have to talk about some of the options including expanded and more consistent trips on weekday and weekend trips, plus lower user cancellation rates.
TAC Members’ Rider Feedback – This is the opportunity for members of the committee to offer some first hand feedback about the current transit service and notes that they’ve received from other riders they know. There’s one item here mentioned so far, and it’s a holdover from last month’s meeting that was cut for time, a suggestion that there be practice bike racks (like the ones seen here).
General Transit Update, including Electric Buses – Management staff will be on-hand to offer updates on any pressing transit business that’s not been covered in any of the above topics and categories. The prominent mention in the subject head would indicate that the new electrics buses (Guelph has received two as of the last meeting) will come up in conversation, one of the buses was actually on the road during Clean Air Day last week carrying passengers.
Guelph Politico 