Bradford staff and councillors are hoping residents jump on board with the new roadmap to expand local transit service.
Following a presentation from Pia Dimayuga and Matt Lattavo of consultant Left Turn Right Turn, and based on a report from Paul Dubniak, the town’s transportation technologist, council’s new strategic initiatives committee — which includes all members of council — recommended council endorse the 2031 transit plan for BWG Transit, during the Aug. 27 committee meeting.
That also includes a recommendation to include a new transit administrator position as part of the 2025 budget deliberations, as well as including the system's capital and operating expenses in deliberations for the 2025 budget and subsequent years.
Last seen during a public meeting on April 9, the plan lays out how BWG Transit is expected to expand incrementally between 2025 and 2031, to six routes with 10 full-sized buses, plus seven smaller shuttle buses for an on-demand service covering the employment lands, the rural area, less-serviced parts of the urban area and specialized accessible services.
The idea of increased service was generally well received by members of council, including Mayor James Leduc, who called it a “really good plan.”
If anything, he wanted to know if some aspects could be implemented even sooner, especially servicing the employment lands, which are already “desperate” for transit.
Lattavo explained one of the key constraints is the availability of transit vehicles, with new buses taking two to three years between order and delivery.
As those new vehicles roll out, hours of operation are also expected to be expanded on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to midnight and on Sundays and holidays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The six new fixed routes include a largely unchanged Route 1, plus five new routes, which are intended to make it quick and easy to access any part of the urban area by bus.
The plan proposes buses available at each stop about every 18 minutes for Route 1, 25 minutes for Route 3 and 35 minutes for all other routes.
Two new terminals are also recommended at both the GO Transit station and SmartCentres plaza, with recommendations for shelters and washrooms, but would require the town to partner with those property owners.
While the current service is already popular with riders, all the increased availability, reach, and frequency is expected to see the annual ridership increase from 60,000 in 2023 to 420,000 by 2031, by which time transit is expected to be used for five per cent of all trips in town.
While the plan estimates this will come with about $16.5 million in economic benefits, it’s also expected to come with increased costs.
Servicing all the vehicles is expected to require a new transit facility at an estimated $8.7 million, though the town could partner with the County of Simcoe’s LINX service to share costs.
By 2031, BWG Transit's operating costs are expected to reach about $4.27 million, while capital costs are expected to peak around $3.88 million in 2027 due to the expense of acquiring new vehicles, and level off around $1.33 million in years where no new vehicles are purchased.
That resulted in sticker shock for a few councillors, including Ward 3 Coun. Ben Verkaik, who wanted to know what the burden would be on taxpayers.
Lattavo said that could depend on the amount of transit funding the town receives from the federal and provincial governments, including the transit stream of the gas tax as well as the Canada Public Transit Fund and others.
He estimates that most municipalities typically cover only about 20 to 30 per cent of capital transit costs.
Town chief administrative officer Geoff McKnight also clarified that within limits, some of the capital costs can be recovered from development charges.
Still, the cost of such a “very ambitious,” and “extremely aggressive” plan remains a “big concern” for Ward 5 Coun. Peter Ferragine.
“The financial aspect of it actually scares me quite a bit,” he said, adding that without assurances of grants, it’s “difficult to swallow” and “very hard” for him to endorse the plan.
Another factor in the impact on the tax levy is whether or not the town chooses to increase fares, which are currently just $1 per trip with the reloadable easyPASS.
Ward 2 Coun. Jonathan Scott suggested the cost of fares “should be free or as low as possible” to help combat “hidden poverty” and help those struggling with the cost of living. He was confident in the availability of funding to assist with the plan through “dozens” of grants from the provincial and federal governments, especially for new transit vehicles.
“If we’re having to replace our buses, I think we’re going to be able to get some Newfoundlanders to help us foot the bill,” he said.
Deputy Mayor Raj Sandhu, who serves as committee chair, said he understands the concern over cost, but he has yet to see a transit system in Canada or abroad that’s turning a profit.
“No transit system is making money, and yet, it’s an essential service that needs to be provided,” he said.
While BWG Transit has been operating since 2014, there has never been a comprehensive review, which is why the 2031 plan was created to examine the current system and determine the best way to meet the needs the growing town while also improving the experience and usability for riders, according to Dubniak’s report.
Much of the plan is based on resident feedback from a survey and information session, as well as feedback from town staff and the accessibility advisory committee, and information from other transit providers.
Recommendations from the strategic initiatives committee are considered for approval at the next regular council meeting.
