PARKBUS IN WIARTON, ON JUNE 6, 2013

Transcription

1 PARKBUS IN WIARTON, ON JUNE 6, 2013

2 ABOUT US Transportation Options (T.O.) is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering sustainable tourism and transportation in Ontario. Since 1992, T.O. has worked collaboratively to research, develop and promote new initiatives that are integrated, environmentally sound, healthy, service-oriented, and focused on improving the experience of users. Projects include:! Parkbus! Bike Train Initiative (2 Ontario Tourism Awards)! Welcome Cyclists Network! New Mobility HUBs Program! Conferences and Events

3 THE PARKBUS VISION " Provide transportation service to parks and other outdoor attractions from major urban centres catering to markets that either do not have cars or prefer to travel by bus, including Ontario residents and international visitors to Ontario. " Establish a sustainable operation

4 FROM PAST TO PRESENT 2010 Pilot year of operation 56 passengers 3 weekend runs from Toronto to Algonquin Initial support from Mountain Equipment Co-op The start of a community Parkbus becomes a project of Transportation Options 2011 First complete season of operation 310 passengers Scheduled service to Algonquin Park from July until September Pilot run to Killarney Growing social media following (Fbook, Twitter) Established partnerships with Ontario Parks, MEC and local operators in Algonquin 2012 More dates & destinations 620 passengers 3 pilot weekends to Bruce Peninsula and Tobermory Finalist for TIAC Sustainable Tourism Award Received 2-year Ontario Trillium Found. Grant Established partnerships with Parks Canada, toes and others Growing media presence

5 PARTNERS & SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS It would be a step towards offering the kind of access that parks like Banff and Jasper, and major U.S. National Parks have. Eric Miglin, Killarney Lodge

6

7

8 TORONTO TO: ALGONQUIN PARK

9 TORONTO TO: KILLARNEY, GRUNDY & FRENCH RIVER

10 PARKBUS SURVEY COMMENTS This should be the standard way to get to the park! Johannes, Germany It s fantastic. We need more trips next season. Norman, Toronto It s great because it is quite difficult to get out of town without a car. Philipp, Toronto It s super convenient for people that don t have a car. And relatively inexpensive for a great service. Very friendly! : ) Zane, Toronto It s great! A service that is needed by lots of people living in the city. Mehrad, Toronto I think it s a wonderful idea, hopefully it will be successful enough to run more often, maybe every week. Kyle, Toronto Great way of getting people outside. Many outdoorsy people don t drive, so it s a very good option. Maxine, Toronto Excellent initiative. Especially for tourists & those who don t drive. The Parkbus guys were very, very helpful. Mallika, Toronto Great idea for travelers, like myself who is from Australia. To see the real side of Canada. Would not have the chance without this service. Thank you. Trent, Australia

11 THE 2013 SEASON It s a fantastic idea. As I don t drive and I m only a visitor in Canada there are few other ways I could visit the parks. Ceri Jones, Ireland (2010 Passenger)

12 BRUCE PENINSULA! 2013 Parkbus launch: Victoria Day Long Weekend! Pilot service expanded: more dates, more flexibility! Stronger partnership with Parks Canada! Additional stop at Wiarton, Spirit Rock Conservation Area! Focus on new Canadians, high percentage of first time visitors

13 NEW OPPORTUNITIES OPERATION! partner pick ups and shuttle service! new destination itineraries, e.g. BPMR! passenger on-board engagement! community involvement, Parkbus ambassadors PROMOTION! outreach to new markets in GTA i.e. urban, new Canadians! co-promotional efforts! social media, local publications, media! joint push with RTO7 & OTMPC

14 PARKBUS TEAM Boris Issaev Project Manager Alex Berlyand Operations Manager Louisa Mursell Projects Director, T.O Beth Jones Board Chair, T.O

15