Once again the Transit Advisory Committee will get together to talk about bus business in the City of Guelph. On the agenda this month are some pretty vital updates about key transit projects, especially around the issue of fares, and knowing when the bus is coming with near absolute certainty. That’s what we know we’re going to get, but there will also be some known unknowns as well. For right now, let’s look at what we do know…
NOTE #1: This meeting takes place at 5:30 pm in Committee Room A at City Hall. You can also find a link to attend the meeting virtually on the meeting agenda at the City’s website. (See below.)
NOTE #2: For alternate meeting formats please contact judi.prigione [at] guelph.ca or call 519-822-1260 ext. 3863.
Moment of Silence for Wm. Frank Holden – This meeting will start on a sad note. It seems that TAC’s former vice-chair Frank Holden has passed away after being diagnosed with cancer last fall. He stepped away from the committee last month. TAC will begin this meeting by honouring Holden with a moment of silence.
Feedback from TAC Requested: Self-Service Kiosks – Presently, if you want to load your OnYourWay card, you have to go online or to a ServiceGuelph desk at city hall or one of the community centres. Guelph Transit has been planning the introduction of self-serve kiosks where you can reload your card, much in the same way that you can use a machine to load your GO Transit Presto card at Guelph Central Station. Acting Transit GM Glenn Marcus will provide an update, but there’s no report attached to the agenda.
Feedback from TAC Requested: Debit & Credit on Buses – At a previous meeting, members of TAC requested information on the progress of incorporating fare payments directly from debit and credit cards on Guelph Transit buses. Acting GM Marcus will also speak to this item, but no formal report was attached to the agenda.
Project Updates: DigitalSigns & IVR/SMS – For years, Guelph Transit has been planning the introduction of electronic signs with real-time updates, but the project was delayed in the 2024 budget deliberations. A tender went out last year but staff didn’t get a bid that met their criteria so the project was delayed again. The City will try again this year with a plan is to begin installing the signs at the major transit hubs: Guelph Central Station, the University of Guelph and Stone Road Mall. Abby Spielmacher, Project Manager of Customer Experience, will provide a verbal report, but no written report was attached to the agenda.
TAC Members’ Feedback – As usual, the committee meeting agenda has put aside a while segment to tackle any feedback that members have heard and would like to share. Presently, it looks like no one on the committee has feedback, but maybe that will change before the start of the meeting.
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, and that includes the ongoing roll out of the new electric buses.
Guelph Politico 