City of Kingston Report to Council Report Number 16-304 To: From: Mayor and Members of Council Jim Keech, President & CEO, Utilities Kingston Resource Staff: Date of Meeting: September 27, 2016 Sheila Kidd, Director, Transportation Services Subject: Kingston Transit Business Plan (2017 2021) Executive Summary: In 2015, City Council set an aspirational goal to achieve15% of trips by public transit during the weekday afternoon peak period by 2034. To achieve this goal, Kingston Transit will need to transport 10,000 more passengers every weekday afternoon by 2034 than it does today. Achieving this goal will require continued system improvements and significant financial investments in the transit service to grow ridership. It will also require a continued commitment to land use development that is supportive of public transit and a continued focus on parking management and transportation demand strategies that encourage alternate modes of travel and reduce the number of trips taken by automobile, particularly single occupant trips. This report presents the Kingston Transit Business Plan (2017 2021) and seeks Council approval for capital budget requirements and funding to support the 2017 and 2018 recommended service enhancements, and the funding required for bus purchases in 2019. This approval will position the City to submit a funding request by the October 18, 2016 deadline, for up to $6.84 million from the federal government s Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF). The Business Plan provides recommendations for the next 5 years, to support reaching the 15% goal by 2034. A summary of recommendations is included in Exhibit A (Summary of Recommended Service Improvements) and Exhibit B (Summary of Recommended Fare Strategies). The Kingston Transit Business Plan (2017 2021) is included as Exhibit C. Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 1
Report to Council Report Number: 16-304 September 27, 2016 Page 2 of 11 Recommendation: That Council approve the Kingston Transit Business Plan (2017 2021) attached to Report 16-304, as Exhibit C; and That Council approve the recommended 2017 2018 service enhancements identified in Exhibit A of Report 16-304; and That Council approve a capital budget amendment in the amount of $21,382,634, funded by the transit reserve fund in the amount of $14,546,511 and $6,836,123 in Public Transit Infrastructure Funding (PTIF) to support i) the capital requirements necessary for the 2017 2018 service enhancements identified in Exhibit A of Report 16-304 and ii) the capital requirements necessary for bus purchases in 2019 to ensure that a timely application can be made to maximize Public Transit Infrastructure Funding (PTIF); and That Council direct staff to incorporate the 2017 2018 service enhancements identified in Exhibit A of Report 16-304 and the fare strategies identified in Exhibit B of Report 16-304 into the 2017 and 2018 operating budgets; and That in order to fund the 2017 and 2018 service enhancements identified in Exhibit A of Report 16-304, Council approve an incremental tax increase of 0.5% in both 2017 and 2018, above and beyond Council s directed annual tax rate increase of no more than 2.5%, inclusive of the 1% increase for infrastructure investment; and That the Chief Administrative Officer and City Treasurer be granted delegated authority to enter into any agreements required, including transfer payment agreements, related to the Public Transit Infrastructure Funding (PTIF) program; and That staff continue to pursue senior level government funding in recognition that the enhancement of grant funding for both operating and capital purposes will be essential in support of a 15% mode share objective. Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 2
Report to Council Report Number: 16-304 September 27, 2016 Page 3 of 11 Authorizing Signatures: Jim Keech, President and CEO, Utilities Kingston Gerard Hunt, Chief Administrative Officer Consultation with the following Members of the Corporate Management Team: Lanie Hurdle, Commissioner, Community Services Denis Leger, Commissioner, Corporate & Emergency Services Desiree Kennedy, Chief Financial Officer & City Treasurer Not required Not required Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 3
Report to Council Report Number: 16-304 September 27, 2016 Page 4 of 11 Options/Discussion: The Last 5 Years Since 2010, the City of Kingston has made significant and ongoing investment in its public transit service. Kingston Transit recently completed the implementation of the Transit Redevelopment Plan (2011-2015). As a result, Kingston Transit has experienced significant ridership growth over the last 5 years. Since 2011, revenue service hours increased from 158,000 to 236,000 annually. Ridership in 2015 reached an all-time record of 4.6 million passenger trips. Kingston Transit carried 1.1 million more passengers in 2015 than it did in 2011; an increase of 31% over that 5-year period. The majority of service and ridership growth has occurred since September 2013 when Kingston Transit introduced its first Express Routes; Express Routes 501 and 502. Two years later, in May 2015, Express Routes 601 and 602 & 701 and 702 were implemented. These Express Routes connect much of the city s urban areas with fast, reliable, frequent service providing at least 15-minute service frequency during weekday peak periods. These routes established a foundational backbone of the Kingston Transit network. The introduction of Express Routes fundamentally changed the Kingston Transit route structure and service levels. Due to the overwhelming success of the 500 series Express Routes, two additional service enhancements beyond what was identified in the original Plan were implemented. In May 2015, Express Routes 501/502 increased from 30-minute to 20-minute frequency during the weekday midday period. This service increase was necessary to support increased passenger volumes and to maintain service reliability, particularly in the Princess Street corridor between downtown and the Cataraqui Centre. In September 2016, service levels on Express Routes 501/502 increased to 10-minute service frequency during the weekday morning and afternoon peak period to support increasing passenger volumes between the downtown, including Queen s/kgh, and Kingston West during peak travel periods. This service enhancement bridges the timeline between the completion of the 2011-2015 Transit Redevelopment Plan and the recommendations for future service enhancements that are presented in this report and detailed in the Kingston Transit Business Plan (2017-2021). Public Consultation The Business Plan (2017-2021) being presented with this report was developed by Kingston Transit staff. The consultation process included: input from a 6-member bus operator committee Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 4
Report to Council Report Number: 16-304 September 27, 2016 Page 5 of 11 outreach to more than 25 individual stakeholder groups, representing major employers, institutions and social agencies 4 public information sessions, including a presentation from Dr. Jeff Casello, an urban transportation expert an on-line survey on the City s website that generated 470 responses on-street surveys at Kingston Transit transfer points that generated over 700 responses consultation with internal City departments The consultation process provided an opportunity for Kingston Transit riders and stakeholders to share their perspective regarding service improvements, fares and customer service. The surveys confirmed that Kingston Transit passengers are very satisfied with the overall direction of the service; 71% of respondents indicated that Kingston Transit service was better than it was 5 years ago. Only 3% of respondents identified it as worse. The public input, combined with direction from Council, helped shape the recommendations included in the Kingston Transit Business Plan (2017-2021). The Next 5 Years a) Kingston Transit Business Plan (2017 2021) The proposed plan has been developed to guide Kingston Transit s service development over the next 5 years. The focus of the service recommendations in the Kingston Transit Business Plan is to increase service frequency by adding new Express service along the Montreal Street corridor and building on the Express service that is already in place. The Business Plan recommends 5 phases of service improvements beginning in September 2017. When fully implemented, Kingston Transit will add more than 63,000 service hours and 21 buses to the fleet. The major service improvements include: introducing a new Express service on the Montreal Street corridor increasing the frequency of service on Express Routes 501 & 502 from 10-minute service to 7½-minute service during weekday peak periods increasing the frequency of service on Express Routes 601 & 602 from 15 minutes to 10 minutes during weekday peak periods expanding hours of operation on Sundays and holidays on all Express Routes new and enhanced service in several neighbourhoods The recommended service improvements and timelines are summarized in Exhibit A. Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 5
Report to Council Report Number: 16-304 September 27, 2016 Page 6 of 11 b) Ridership Target The Kingston Transportation Master Plan recommended a city-wide afternoon peak mode share of 9% for public transit by 2034. City Council subsequently approved the following motion on December 1, 2015: That the City of Kingston set an aspirational transit target to achieve 15% of all trips made during the daily peak travel period by 2034 and that as an interim step to this target, staff be directed to develop the next 5 year Transit Plan with the objective of increasing transit ridership from 4.2M annual trips to 5.6M annual trips by 2021 ; Given the ridership increase required during afternoon peak and the anticipated ridership increases during the off-peak period of 2% annually, a target of 6.05 million trips (not 5.6 million trips) is a more accurate reflection of the ridership level that is needed by 2021 to support the eventual achievement of the 15% mode share objective by 2034. The 2017 2021 Business Plan assumes that achieving the 15% mode share is Council s main objective aligned to the applicable ridership target. Therefore, the Business Plan has been prepared on the premise of a 15% mode share target by 2034 and a total ridership target of 6.05 million, with 1.93 million of those trips taking place in the afternoon peak period, by 2021. The annual ridership targets (in millions) are summarized in the table below. Kingston Transit Business Plan (2017 2021) (in millions) 2016* 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 PM peak passenger trips 1.20 1.40 1.53 1.66 1.79 1.93 All other passenger trips 3.73 3.80 3.88 3.96 4.04 4.12 Total passenger trips 4.93 5.20 5.41 5.62 5.83 6.05 *Note: 2016 ridership is a projection based on January June 2016 ridership results. c) The Financial Plan A financial model has been developed to forecast the expected operating and capital expenditures required to implement all of the elements contained in the Kingston Transit Business Plan. Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 6
Report to Council Report Number: 16-304 September 27, 2016 Page 7 of 11 Revenue related to ridership growth in the financial plan has been factored at a very conservative average of 2% per year. Increases to Queen s University and St. Lawrence College universal pass programs are based on negotiated contract values until the expiry of each contact. Thereafter, the model assumes these contracts increase at 2% per year. Increases to operating expenses have been adjusted on a proportional basis, based on increases in revenue service hours. While these factors are very conservative compared to actual ridership levels that has been achieved over the past several years, it should be noted that there is some risk associated with achieving the ridership and revenue targets. The model includes an increase in operating expenses for additional bus operators, fleet, and administrative staff required to support the proposed plan. All other items have been modeled using the 2017 operating budget assumptions. It is expected that the annual municipal contribution required will increase from $14.2 million (2016 budget) to $20.9 million (2021) once all of the service recommendations are fully realized. The planned capital expenditures over the 2017 2021 period are $37.3 million. This represents the total capital expenditure including buses (new and replacements), infrastructure, and technology. Capital expenditures for transit are funded from the Transit Capital Reserve Fund. This is a dedicated reserve fund to support future capital investments for service expansion and lifecycle asset management. A regular contribution to capital of between $3 million and $3.5 million is factored into the annual transit operating budget, a portion of which is funded by the annual funding of approximately $2 million that Kingston Transit receives from the Provincial Gas Tax program. The 2016 federal budget proposes to invest $3.4 billion in public transit over 3 years, starting in the 2016 17 fiscal year. The funding will be provided through a new Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF). Funding is being distributed across Canada based on ridership. Kingston s allocation of PTIF funding is $6.84 million. The PTIF will fund up to 50% of eligible project costs with the City responsible for funding the remaining 50% of costs. A wide range of projects are eligible for funding including new and replacement bus purchases. Of the total $6.84 million of funding available, 75% must be allocated to projects that will be completed by March 31, 2018. The remaining 25% of funding can be allocated to projects with a completion date of March 31, 2019. However all funding requests must be submitted no later than October 18, 2016. Staff is seeking Council approval of the 2017 and 2018 capital budgets and the 2019 capital budget related to bus purchases to ensure that the City can take full advantage of the $6.84 million of available funding within the required funding application deadline. There is no funding assistance available to transit systems to help support ongoing operating expenses. Based on the projections in the 2015 Kingston Transportation Master Plan, to Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 7
Report to Council Report Number: 16-304 September 27, 2016 Page 8 of 11 achieve a 15% modal split by 2034, the gross operating expenditure for Kingston Transit must increase to $51 million by 2034 (expressed in 2014 dollars). The chart below illustrates the gross operating investment required over a 20-year period (2015 to 2035) to achieve a ridership level of between 8 9 million trips, which is representative of a 15% modal split. The years 2016 and 2022 are included in the chart to frame the timeline of the proposed 5-year plan. Assuming a 35% revenue cost recovery, the net operating expenditure by 2034 would increase from approximately $14 million in 2016 to $33 million in 2035. d) Fare Strategies Attracting New Riders and Making Transit More Affordable The financial plan has been developed based on the recommended transit fare strategies in the Kingston Transit Business Plan. The fare strategies are intended to grow ridership while ensuring that revenues are covering an adequate portion of operating costs. The fare strategies include: a general fare increase every 3 years in January 2017 and January 2020 to ensure that revenues are keeping pace with inflationary cost increases increasing the affordable transit monthly pass subsidy from 35% to 50% to decrease the cost of transit for low-income passengers Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 8
Report to Council Report Number: 16-304 September 27, 2016 Page 9 of 11 expanding the age category for Children from ages 0 5 and to ages 0 12, for a 3-year trial period, to provide free transit to this age group. This strategy will allow more adults and caregivers to use Kingston Transit without having to pay a fare for their children to ride with them expanding the age category for Youth, for a 3-year trial period, so young adults between the ages of 13-24 can choose to use Kingston Transit more often because it costs less providing high school students with free transit, for at least the next 3 years, to continue exposing youth to the benefits of using public transit It should be noted that the fare recommendations to expand the child and youth age categories for a 3 year trial period will coincide with the current timelines for the high school pilot program. All three programs will be further informed by future policy discussions related to subsidies based on economic need, not necessarily age. The recommended changes to fares and related fare programs are summarized in Exhibit B. e) 2017 and 2018 Service Enhancements and Operating Budget Approval The recommendations in this report ask Council to approve the Kingston Transit Business Plan (2017-2021). This Plan represents the first of a series of plans (every 5 years) that will position Kingston to achieve a transit modal split of 15% by 2034. The level of investment required to fund the Business Plan cannot be accomplished within Council s directed annual tax rate increase of no more than 2.5%. In order to fund the 2017 and 2018 service enhancements identified in Exhibit A of Report 16-304, staff is recommending an incremental tax increase of 0.5% in both 2017 and 2018, above and beyond Council s directed annual tax rate increase of no more than 2.5%, inclusive of the 1% increase for infrastructure investment. It is being recommended that Council direct staff to incorporate the 2017 2018 service enhancements and fare strategies into the 2017 and 2018 operating budget submissions. Operating budgets for the service enhancements identified for 2019 2021 will be subject to future Council approval. Existing Policy/By-Law: The 2015 Kingston Transportation Master Plan recommended that Kingston Transit services should be reviewed every 5 years. The Kingston Transit Business Plan (2017 2021) addresses this recommendation. Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 9
Report to Council Report Number: 16-304 September 27, 2016 Page 10 of 11 Notice Provisions: Not applicable. Accessibility Considerations: The Kingston Transit Business Plan (2017 2021) was developed with regard for the City s accessibility policies and legislative requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR). The IASR came into effect in 2011 and is subject to a 5-year review. The Minister of Economic Development, Employment, and Infrastructure has established a Standards Development Committee to review the IASR in 2016. Kingston Transit staff is participating in the review process. Based on the information available at this time, the nature and scope of the review is not anticipated to have a significant impact on Transit operations or operating/capital costs. Financial Considerations: A financial model has been developed in order to forecast the expected operating and capital expenditures required to implement all of the elements contained in the Kingston Transit Business Plan. It is expected that the annual municipal contribution required will increase from $14.2 million (2016 budget) to $20.9 (2021) million once all of the service recommendations are fully realized. The total planned capital expenditures over the 2017 2021 period are projected to be $37.3 million. Council approval of the 2017 2018 transit capital requirements and the 2019 capital requirements related to bus purchases for a total of $21,382,634 is being recommended to support the 2017 2018 service enhancements and to ensure that an application can be made to maximize Public Transit Infrastructure Funding. Transit operating budgets will also require an additional investment over and above amounts reflected in the 2017-2019 budget projections that were submitted with the 2016 budget. An incremental tax increase of 0.5% percent in 2017 and 2018 will provide approximately $1M per year to fund the service enhancements recommended in each respective year. Staff will continue to pursue other grant funding opportunities in order to help offset costs required to implement this plan. Contacts: Sheila Kidd, Director Transportation Services, 613-546-4291 ext. 2221 Jeremy DaCosta, Manager Kingston Transit, 613-546-4291 ext. 1310 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 10
Report to Council Report Number: 16-304 Other City of Kingston Staff Consulted: September 27, 2016 Page 11 of 11 Desiree Kennedy, Chief Financial Officer & City Treasurer Lana Foulds, Manager, Financial Planning Andrew Morton, Transit Service Project Manager Ian Semple, Manager, Service Development Transportation Services Kingston Transit Bus Operator Committee (6 Bus Operators) Exhibits Attached: Exhibit A: Summary of Recommended Service Improvements (2017 2021) Exhibit B: Summary of Recommended Fare Strategies Exhibit C: Kingston Transit Business Plan (2017 2021) Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 11
Exhibit A to Report -16-304 Summary of Recommended Service Improvements (2017 2021) Phase Description of Service Improvement Implementation Date Revenue Service Hours Added (annually) Number of additional buses 1 a) Expanded Hours of Operation Sundays/Holidays The hours of operation on all Express Routes, Route 7, and Route 15 expand on Sundays/Holidays to provide service from 6am 8am and 9pm 12am (midnight) September 2017 3,875 0 2 a) Montreal Street Express Service A new Express Route is added to the Montreal Street corridor providing service between the Montreal St. Park & Ride (located at Highway 401), downtown, Queen s University/Kingston General Hospital b) Express Route 601/602 (Kingston East) Express Routes 601 & 602 weekday peak service increases from 15-minute frequency to 10-minute frequency. Route 12 service is discontinued north of CFB Kingston to support the increase in service frequency of Express Routes 601 & 602. c) Improved Service Reliability Rideau Heights/King s Crossing Routes 7 and 16 are modified north of the Bus Terminal transfer point to reduce the need to transfer and improve service reliability May 2018 20,345 7 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 12
Phase Description of Service Improvement Implementation Date Revenue Service Hours Added (annually) Number of additional buses a) Express Routes 501/502 7 ½ minute weekday peak service Express Routes 501 & 502 weekday peak service increases from 10-minute frequency to 7 ½ minute frequency 3 4 b) Local Route Service Enhancements: Service improvements to local transit routes in: - Strathcona Park - Waterloo Village - Sutton Mills (in the area of Old Colony Rd./Taylor-Kidd Blvd.) a) Montreal St. Express Route Expansion The Montreal St. Express Route, implemented in Phase 1 (May 2018) is extended to destinations farther south/west to serve the new Providence Care hospital on King St., St. Lawrence College, and the Kingston Centre. b) New Local Route Service New local route service is added to provide service in: - Woodhaven (west of Bayridge Dr., north of Princess St.) - Cataraqui Woods (north of Sierra Ave, south of Creekford Rd.) - Cataraqui Woods Industrial Park (east of Gardiners Rd., north of Cataraqui Woods Dr.) September 2019 9,985 6 September 2020 18,615 3 c) Local Route Service Enhancements: Service improvements to locals transit routes in: - Cataraqui North (north of Princess St, between Centennial Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 13
Phase Description of Service Improvement Dr. and Sydenham Rd) - Rideau Heights, Markers Acres, Inner Harbour, Union St. corridor Implementation Date Revenue Service Hours Added (annually) Number of additional buses 5 a) Express Route 701/702 Route Expansion The Express Route 701 and 702 Express Route is expanded to provide Express service on John Counter Blvd between King s Crossing and the Cataraqui Centre. September 2021 9,950 5 Total 62770 hours 21 buses Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 14
Exhibit B to Report -16-304 Summary of Recommended Fare Strategies The changes to age categories, fare categories and fare rates are effective January 1, 2017. The changes classified as other programs will be implemented as soon as possible. Fare Change Age Categories Fare Categories (types of fares) Description of Fare Change a) Expand the child category to include all children 12 and under for a 3-year trial period until the next fare review. During the 3-year trial period all children 12 and under will ride for free b) Expand the youth category to include passengers between the ages of 19 24 for a 3- year trial period until the next fare review. During the 3-year trial period all passengers ages 19 24 will pay a youth rate instead of an adult rate a) The family pass is removed as a result of children 12 and under riding for free Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 15
Fare Rates (prices) Other Programs a) Reduce the price of an Affordable Transit Pass by increasing the subsidy from 35% to 50% of a regularly priced transit pass b) Increase the adult cash fare from $2.75 to $3 to recognize inflationary increases of 2% per year (2014 2016) c) Adjust the 6-ride adult multi-ride pass from $13.75 to $15 to maintain the same relative price ratio between adult cash fares and adult multi-ride fares d) Increase the youth/senior cash fares from $2.50 to $3 to create a common cash fare for all passengers based on the adult fare e) Increase the 6-ride youth/senior multi-ride pass from $10.50 to $12. This is $0.25 less than the relative price between youth/senior cash fares and youth/senior multi-ride fares f) Increase the day pass (1-person) from $7.25 to $8 to maintain the same relative price ratio to the adult cash fare g) Increase the regular adult monthly pass from $72 to $76 to recognize an inflationary increase of 2% per year (2014 2016) h) Adjust all other monthly and weekly unlimited use passes relative to the adult monthly pass to maintain the same relative price ratios a) Transit Employment Program: Expand the Transit Employment Program to provide free transit to those who are looking for work through a recognized employment service program b) Travel Training Sessions: Issue a one-month pass (or equivalent) to participants attending any formalized Kingston Transit travel training session c) CNIB Card Holders: Establish an annual pass for CNIB card holders Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 16
The current and proposed Kingston Transit fares to be effective January 1, 2017 are summarized in the following chart: Child Child Youth Youth Adult Adult Senior Senior Current January January January January Current Current Current 2017 2017 2017 2017 Child Child Senior Senior Youth Youth Adult Adult Under 12 and 65 and 65 and 6 18 13-24 19 64 25 64 6 under over over Cash Free Free $2.50 $3.00 $2.75 $3.00 $2.50 $3.00 Multi-Ride Pass (multiples of 6) Free Free $10.50 $12.00 $13.75 $15.00 $10.50 $12.00 Commuter Pass (5 consecutive weekdays) Free Free N/A N/A $20.50 $21.50 N/A N/A Weekly Pass (7 consecutive days) Free Free $19.50 $20.50 $27.00 $28.50 $19.50 $20.50 Commuter Pass (monthly) Free Free N/A N/A $62.00 $65.50 N/A N/A Monthly Pass Free Free $53.50 $56.50 $72.00 $76.00 $53.50 $56.50 Affordable Transit Monthly Pass Free Free $34.75 $28.25 $46.75 $38.00 $34.75 $28.25 Day Pass Individual Free Free $7.25 $8.00 $7.25 $8.00 $7.25 $8.00 Day Pass Family N/A N/A $14.50 N/A $14.50 N/A $14.50 N/A Conference/Event Pass Free Free $8.00 $8.50 $8.00 $8.50 $8.00 $8.50 CNIB Cash Fare Free Free $0.10 $0.10 $0.10 $0.10 $0.10 $0.10 CNIB Annual Pass Free Free N/A $25.00 N/A $25.00 N/A $25.00 Employer Pass 0 10 employees $62.00 $65.50 11 25 employees $60.00 $63.25 26 100 employees $57.00 $60.00 101 250 employees $53.00 $56.00 250+ employees $50.00 $52.75 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 17
Exhibit C to Report 16-304 i Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 18
Table of Contents... i Executive Summary... 1 The 15% Goal... 1 The Last 5 Years... 1 The Next 5 Years... 2 Ridership Target: 1.93 Million Trips in the Afternoon Peak by 2021... 2 The Financial Plan... 3 Fare Strategies Attracting New Riders and Making Transit More Affordable... 3 Maintaining the Vision... 3 Kingston Transit: Service Overview (2016)... 4 A New Vision for Public Transit: Kingston Transit Redevelopment Plan (2011 2015)... 6 2011 2016 Service Enhancements... 6 Revenue Service Hours... 9 Days/Hours of Operation... 9 Service Frequency... 10 Passenger Trips (Ridership)... 11 Transit Pass Sales... 11 Customer Satisfaction... 12 Kingston Transit Redevelopment Plan - Performance Indicators... 12 Kingston Transit - The Next 5 Years (2017 2021): Recommended Service Improvements... 15 Service Improvement Considerations... 15 Kingston Transit Vision... 15 City of Kingston Official Plan... 15 Kingston s Strategic Plan (2015 2018)... 16 2015 Kingston Transportation Master Plan (KTMP) Council Motion December 1, 2015... 17 Bus Operator Committee... 19 Public and Stakeholder Engagement... 19 ii Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 19
Summary Public and Stakeholder Feedback... 22 Pricing/Fares... 22 Technology:... 22 Infrastructure:... 22 Customer Service:... 23 Marketing/Promotion:... 23 Service Planning:... 23 Future Development Opportunities:... 24 Summary On-Street/Online Surveys:... 24 Recommended Service Improvements... 26 Phase 1: Expanded Hours of Operation Sundays/Holidays September 2017.. 30 Phase 2: Montreal Street Express Service & Express Route 601/602 10 minute peak service - May 2018:... 32 Phase 3: Express Route 501/502 7½ minute peak service September 2019:. 37 Phase 4 Montreal St Express Route Expansion - September 2020:... 38 Phase 5 Express Route 701/702 Route Expansions - September 2021:... 41 Service Improvements Not Recommended (2017 2021)... 43 Kingston Transit - The Next 5 Years (2017 2021): Recommended Fare Strategy... 46 Current Fare Structure... 46 Fare Strategy Considerations... 46 Secondary School Program Free Transit... 46 Affordable Transit... 47 Transit Employment Program... 47 Universal Pass Programs Post-Secondary Institutions... 48 Recommended Fare Strategies... 48 Fare Strategies Other Considerations... 52 Affordable Transit Free Off-Peak Travel... 52 Transit Employment Program Expanded Program... 52 Travel Training Sessions... 52 Fare Media Replacement Costs... 53 $0.10 Fare for Passengers with CNIB Card... 53 iii Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 20
Passenger Infrastructure... 54 Transfer Points... 54 Kingston Centre, St. Lawrence College, Gardiners Centre... 54 Cataraqui Centre... 54 Downtown Transfer Point... 55 Bus Terminal Transfer Point... 55 Bus Stops and Shelters... 56 Bus Stops... 56 Shelters... 57 Park & Ride Facilities... 58 Centre 70 (Front Rd. and Days Rd.)... 58 Kingston Gospel Temple (2295 Princess St.)... 58 Montreal St. Park & Ride (Highway 401 and Montreal St.)... 58 Innovation Dr. at Hwy 15... 59 INVISTA Centre (1350 Gardiners Rd.)... 59 Additional Park & Ride Locations... 59 Transit Technology... 60 Technology Plan... 60 Route and Bus Operator Scheduling System... 60 Real-Time Location Information (GPS Tracking)... 60 Farebox System... 61 Transit Signal Priority... 62 On-Board Cameras... 63 Kingston Transit Employee Requirements:... 64 Driver Trainer... 64 Marketing Sales Position... 64 Marketing... 66 Employer Pass Program... 66 Fleet Diesel Fuel... 68 Fleet Alternative Fuel Options... 68 Financial Plan... 69 iv Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 21
Operating Budget Summary... 69 Capital Budget Summary... 72 Fleet... 73 Fleet Procurement Process... 73 Infrastructure... 74 Technology... 74 Capital Budget Funding Sources... 76 Capital Budget Funding Sources Not Included:... 77 Appendix A Summary of Recommended Service Improvements... 78 Appendix B Summary of Recommended Fare Strategies... 81 Table of Charts Table 1 - Existing Kingston Transit Routes... 4 Table 2 - Summary of Service Changes (2011-2016)... 7 Table 3 - Kingston Transit Hours of Operation... 9 Table 4 - Kingston Transit Service Frequency (in minutes)... 10 Table 5 - Kingston Transit Passenger Trips (2011-2015)... 11 Table 6 - Kingston Transit Adult Passes & Employees on Employer Program... 11 Table 7 - Kingston Transit - Survey Response - Service Satisfaction... 12 Table 8 - Kingston Transit CUTA Performance Indicators (2011 2015)... 12 Table 9 - Kingston Transit Stakeholder List... 20 Table 10 - Survey Top 5 Service Improvement Suggestions... 25 Table 11 - Projected Transit Ridership: 2016 2021 (in millions)... 27 Table 12 - Montreal Street Express - Service Frequency... 34 Table 13 - Montreal St. Express Route Hours of Operation... 34 Table 14 - Route 601/602 Revised Service Frequency... 35 Table 15 - Current (2016) and Proposed (2017) Age Categories... 48 Table 16 - Current (2016) and Proposed (January 2017) Kingston Transit Fares... 51 Table 17 - Farebox Transaction - Service Delay (minutes)... 62 Table 18 - Kingston Major Employers - Transit Employer Pass... 66 Table 19 - Proposed Operating Budget: 2017 2021... 71 Table 20 - Proposed Capital Budget: 2017 2021... 75 v Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 22
Table of Figures Figure 1 - Kingston Transit Express Routes (September 2016)... 8 Figure 2 - KTMP Map 7 - Kingston Transit Weekday Afternoon Peak Service Frequency (2034)... 18 Figure 3-2016 Weekday Afternoon Peak Service Frequency... 28 Figure 4-2021 Weekday Afternoon Peak Service Frequency... 29 Figure 5 - Evening/Sunday/HolidayService - Express Routes, Routes 7, 15 Service Area... 31 Figure 6 - Montreal Street Express Route - May 2018... 33 Figure 7 - Kingston East - Revised Service (Route 601/602, Route 12) May 2018... 36 Figure 8 - Montreal Street Express Route Expanded Route September 2020... 40 Figure 9 - Express Route 701/702 Expansion September 2021... 42 vi Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 23
Executive Summary The 15% Goal In 2015 the City of Kingston set an aspirational goal to achieve 15% of trips by public transit during the weekday afternoon peak period by 2034. To achieve this goal, Kingston Transit will need to transport 10,000 more passengers every weekday afternoon by 2034 than it does today. Achieving this goal will require significant financial investment in the transit service. It will also require a continued commitment to land use development that is supportive of public transit and a continued focus on transportation demand strategies that encourage alternate modes of travel and reduce the number of trips taken by automobile, particularly single occupant trips. The Kingston Transit Business Plan (2017 2021) provides recommendations for the next 5 years to support reaching the 15% goal by 2034. The Last 5 Years Kingston Transit has made a significant and ongoing investment in its public transit service. As a result, Kingston Transit has realized substantial ridership growth over the last 5 years. Since 2011 revenue service hours increased from 158,000 to 236,000 annually. Ridership in 2015 reached an all-time record of 4.6 million passenger trips. Kingston Transit carried 1.1 million more passengers in 2015 than it did in 2011, an increase of 31% over that 5 year period. The majority of service and ridership growth has occurred since 2013 when Kingston Transit introduced its first Express Routes; Express Routes 501 and 502. Two years later, in May 2015, Express Routes 601 and 602 & 701 and 702 were implemented. These three Express Routes connect a significant portion of the City s urban area with fast, reliable, frequent service providing at least 15 minute service frequency during weekday peak periods. These routes established a foundational backbone of the Kingston Transit network. The introduction of Express Routes fundamentally changed the Kingston Transit route structure and service levels. Kingston Transit passengers are very satisfied with the overall direction of the transit service. In a survey conducted in 2016 in the preparation of the Kingston Transit Business Plan (2017-2021), 71% of respondents indicated that Kingston Transit service was better than it was five years ago. Only 3% of respondents identified it as worse. 1 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 24
The Next 5 Years The Kingston Transit Business Plan (2017 2021) ( Business Plan ) has been developed to guide Kingston Transit s service over the next five years. The focus of the recommendations in the Business Plan is to increase service frequency by adding new Express service and building on the Express service that is already in place. The Business Plan recommends five phases of service improvements beginning in September 2017. These improvements will add more than 63,000 revenue service hours and 21 buses to Kingston Transit s fleet. These service improvements include: introducing a new Express service on the Montreal St. corridor increasing the frequency of service on Express Routes 501 and 502 from 10 minute service to 7½ minute service during weekday peak periods increasing the frequency of service on Express Routes 601 and 602 from 15 minute service to 10 minute service during weekday peak periods expanding hours of operation on Sundays and holidays on all Express Routes All of the recommended service improvements and timelines are summarized in Appendix A (Summary of Recommended Service Improvements 2017 2021). Ridership Target: 1.93 Million Trips in the Afternoon Peak by 2021 Kingston Transit ridership must grow to 6.05 million annual passenger trips with 1.93 million of those trips taking place in the afternoon peak period by 2021 to support the achievement of the 15% goal by 2034. The annual ridership targets (in millions) are summarized in the following table. The 2016 ridership is a projection based on January 2016 June 2016 ridership year-todate results. 2016* 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Weekday afternoon peak passenger trips 1.20 1.40 1.53 1.66 1.79 1.93 All other passenger trips 3.73 3.80 3.88 3.96 4.04 4.12 Total passenger trips 4.93 5.20 5.41 5.62 5.83 6.05 *Note: 2016 ridership is a projection based on January June 2016 ridership results. 2 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 25
The Financial Plan A Financial Plan has been developed to forecast the expected operating and capital expenditures required to implement all of the recommendations and other elements contained in the Business Plan. It is expected that the annual municipal contribution will increase from $14.2 million (2016 budget) to $20.9 million once all of the service recommendations are fully realized. The planned capital expenditures over the 2017 2021 period are $37.3 million. This represents all capital expenditures during this period, including new and replacement buses as well as infrastructure and technology. Fare Strategies Attracting New Riders and Making Transit More Affordable The Financial Plan has been developed based on the recommended transit fare strategy in the Business Plan. The strategy is intended to grow ridership while ensuring that revenues are covering an adequate portion of operating costs. The fare strategies include: a general fare increase every three years in January 2017 and in January 2020 to ensure that revenues are keeping pace with inflationary cost increases increasing the Affordable Transit monthly pass subsidy from 35% to 50% to decrease the cost of transit for low-income passengers adjusting the age category for children under 6 to include children 12 and under, for a 3-year trial period so more adults and caregivers can use Kingston Transit without having to pay a fare for their children to ride with them adjusting the age category for youth, for a 3-year trial period, so young adults between the ages of 13-24 can choose to use Kingston Transit more often because it costs less providing high school students with free transit, for at least the next 3 years, to continue exposing youth to the benefits of using public transit A summary of the recommended changes to fares and related fare programs are included in Appendix B (Summary of Recommended Fare Strategies). Maintaining the Vision The Business Plan is consistent with Kingston Transit s vision to provide a transit system that all citizens of Kingston choose to use. The recommendations contained in the Business Plan will continue to create a faster, more frequent, and more reliable transit experience to support the City s objective of achieving 15% of trips by public transit in the weekday afternoon peak period by 2034. 3 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 26
Kingston Transit: Service Overview (2016) Kingston Transit operates conventional public transit service in the City of Kingston and provides service to the neighbouring community of Amherstview. The service to Amherstview is provided under a full cost recovery service contract with Loyalist Township. Kingston Transit operates 3 Express Routes and 15 local routes. Kingston Transit s Express Routes are the highest profile, highest performance (frequency, speed, and comfort), and most heavily used and marketed routes in the Kingston Transit system. They have a unique and distinguishable brand. The function of these routes is to serve passengers with fast, frequent, direct service between major destinations. Kingston Transit s local routes supplement the Express Routes by providing more frequent stops and, as a result, longer travel times. These routes typically provide service in communities and neighbourhoods and provide passengers with the ability to connect to Express Route services. Table 1 provides an overview of the existing transit routes, including a description of each route. Detailed information for each route, a system route map and route schedules are available at www.kingstontransit.ca. Table 1 - Existing Kingston Transit Routes Route Route Name Description Kingston Transit Express Routes 501 502 601 602 701 702 Express Express Express Express service connecting Kingston West to Queen s University/Kingston General Hospital and downtown via Princess St., King St./Front Rd. and Bayridge Dr. Express service connecting Kingston East to Queen s University/Kingston General Hospital and downtown via Grenadier Village, Hwy 15 and Hwy 2 Express service connecting central Kingston via Gardiners Rd., Bath Rd., Brock St./Johnson St., and Division St. 1 2 St. Lawrence College Montreal St. Kingston Centre Division St. Kingston Transit Local Routes Local route operating between the Montreal St. Park & Ride (Hwy 401) and St. Lawrence College via Montreal St., Bagot St., and Union St. Local route operating between the Montreal St Park & Ride and Kingston Centre via Rideau Heights, Division St., Bagot St., Union St., St. Lawrence College and Calvin 4 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 27
Route Route Name Description Park Kingston Centre 3 Downtown Transfer Point Rd., St. Lawrence College, and King St. 4 6 7 10 11 12 14 15 16 18 18Q 17 Cataraqui Centre Downtown Transfer Point Cataraqui Centre St. Lawrence College INVISTA Centre Division St./Dalton Ave. Cataraqui Centre Amherstview Cataraqui Centre Kingston Centre Highway 15 Kingston Centre Crossfield Ave./Waterloo Dr. Cataraqui Centre/Woods Reddendale Bus Terminal Train Station Train Station Circuit Queen s University Late Night Shuttle Local route operating between the Kingston Centre and the Downtown Transfer Point via Bath Rd., Queen Mary Local route operating between the Cataraqui Centre and the Downtown Transfer Point via Princess St. and the Kingston Centre Local route operating between Cataraqui Centre and St. Lawrence College via Bayridge Dr., Gardiners Rd., Henderson Place, and Front Rd Local route connecting the INVISTA Centre and the Clyde Industrial Park via Gardiners Rd., Cataraqui Centre, Princess St., John Counter Blvd., and Dalton Ave. Local route connecting Amherstview and the Cataraqui Centre via Bath Rd. and Bayridge Dr. Note: This route is operated under contract to Loyalist Township on a full cost recovery basis, including operating and capital costs. Local route connecting the Cataraqui Centre and Kingston Centre via Gardiners Rd., the RIOCAN Centre, Arbour Heights, and Bath Rd. Local route connecting Grenadier Village and the Kingston Centre via Hwy 15, CFB Kingston, and Brock St./Johnson St. Local route providing service between the Cataraqui Centre and the neighbourhoods of Cataraqui North and Waterloo Village Local route providing service between the Cataraqui Centre and west end neighbourhoods Local route providing service between the train station and bus station via the neighbourhoods of Kingscourt and Strathcona Park Route 18/18Q provides service directly to/from the train station/bus station to/from downtown, Queen s University and St. Lawrence College. The schedule of Route 18/18Q is irregular to match the arrival/departure of trains. Route 18Q operates on Sundays only. The 18Q route primarily serves post-secondary students returning to Kingston on Sunday evening trains/buses. Operates September April only Route 17 provides late night service in the Queen s University district. Operates September April only. This service is funded by the Queen s University Alma 5 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 28
Route Route Name Description Mater Society (student government). 20 Queen s Shuttle Isabel/Tett Centres Route 20 provides service between Queen s University Main Campus, the Isabel/Tett Centres, and Queen s University West Campus. Operates September April only. This service is funded by the Queen s University Alma Mater Society (student government) A New Vision for Public Transit: Kingston Transit Redevelopment Plan (2011 2015) The Kingston Transit Redevelopment Plan (the Plan ) was adopted by City Council in 2011. The Plan served as Kingston Transit s primary operational document for the last five years (2011 2015). The Plan established a new direction and vision for public transit in the City of Kingston. The Plan recommended a fundamental redesign of the transit network. The redesign shifted away from previous designs that were primarily focused on service coverage (i.e. ensuring that most residents in the urban area were within a specified distance of a bus route) to a network design focused on frequency and directness of service between major origins and destinations. The Plan introduced the concept of Express Routes providing frequent, direct service that form the backbone of the transit network. The Plan was the first step in transitioning from a pulse transit system where buses arrive and depart simultaneously at fixed time intervals at low frequency to a system where buses operate with sufficient frequency that the need to pulse is greatly reduced. The result is a transit network that has become more reliable for passengers, especially for passengers whose travel includes transfers between transit routes. An integrated transit-parking pricing structure, designed to attract and build transit ridership, particularly commuters, was approved by City Council in 2013. The transit pricing structure included changes to the Employer Pass program to offer increasing discounts based on the number of employees participating in the program. The changes to the Employer Pass program were introduced in September 2013. All other transit fare changes took effect in January 2014. 2011 2016 Service Enhancements The Plan identified two phases of service enhancements to be implemented with the following improvements: 6 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 29
three new Express bus routes linking the City s urban areas with fast, reliable service operating on 15-minute frequency during the weekday peak periods and at 30-minute frequency at other times modifications to the existing local transit routes better aligned to the new Express Routes the addition and/or upgrade of bus stops with accessible concrete pads, shelters, and benches The first phase of the Plan was completed in September 2013 and included the introduction of the first Express Routes (Routes 501/502). The second phase of the Plan was completed in May 2015 and included the introduction of two additional Express Routes (Routes 601/602, 701/702). The fleet was expanded from 48 buses to 63 buses to support the service changes over the two phases. Due to the overwhelming success of the 500 series Express Routes, two additional service enhancements beyond what was identified in the original Plan were implemented. In May 2015 Express Routes 501/502 increased from 30 minute to 20 minute frequency during the weekday mid-day period. This service increase was necessary to support increasing passenger volumes and to maintain service reliability, particularly in the Princess St. corridor between downtown and the Cataraqui Centre. In September 2016 service levels on Express Routes 501/502 increased again to 10 minute service frequency during the weekday morning and afternoon peak period. This service increase was required to support increasing passenger volumes between the downtown, including Queen s/kgh, and Kingston West during peak travel periods. Both enhancements to Routes 501/502 were approved by City Council and incorporated into the Kingston Transit operating and capital budgets. A summary of service changes between 2011 2016 is provided in Table 2. A route map of the Express Routes as of September 2016 is included as Figure 1. Table 2 - Summary of Service Changes (2011-2016) Date Service Enhancements September 2013 Express Routes 501/502: 15 minute weekday morning and afternoon peak service 30 minute midday service 30 minute evening service 30 minute weekend service 30 minute holiday service 7 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 30
Date Service Enhancements May 2015 Express Routes 601/602: 15 minute weekday service 30 minute evening service 30 minute weekend service 30 minute holiday service Express Routes 701/702: 15 minute weekday morning and afternoon peak service 30 minute midday service 30 minute evening service 30 minute weekend service 30 minute holiday service Express Route 501/502: September 2016 (planned) Increase from 30 minute midday service to 20 minute midday service (Monday Friday) Express Route 501/502 : Increase from 15 minute weekday to 10 minute weekday morning and afternoon peak service Figure 1 - Kingston Transit Express Routes (September 2016) 8 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 31
Revenue Service Hours Revenue service hours is a Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) performance measure that represents the amount of time buses are actively providing service to passengers. The service enhancements between 2011 and 2016 represent an increase of more than 77,000 annual revenue service hours. In 2011 Kingston Transit provided 158,000 revenue service hours annually. After the planned 10-minute service on Express Routes 501/502 was implemented in September 2016, Kingston Transit will provide 236,000 revenue service hours annually. This represents an increase of nearly 50% over 2011. Days/Hours of Operation Between 2011 and 2016 the days and hours of operation of Kingston Transit have remained essentially unchanged with the exception of: providing service on Family Day as of February 2014 extending evening service by 30 minutes on a limited number of transit routes to provide service until 12am, Monday Saturday. However, the majority of transit routes still end service between 11:00pm 11:30pm. extending Holiday and Sunday morning/evening service by 30 minutes on a limited number of transit routes to provide service starting at 8:00am and ending at 9:00pm. However, the majority of transit routes still operate between 8:30am 8:30pm on Holidays and Sundays. The current hours of operation are summarized in Table 3. Table 3 - Kingston Transit Hours of Operation Monday to Saturday Sunday Holidays: Family Day Victoria Day Canada Day Civic Holiday Labour Day Thanksgiving Day Boxing Day Holidays: New Year s Day Christmas Day Good Friday Hours of Operation 6:00 am 12:00 am 8:00am 9:00pm 8:00am 9:00pm No Service 9 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 32
Hours of Operation Note: The Queen s University late night shuttle (Route 17) provides service until 2:15am, from September April in the University District area. Service Frequency The frequency of service is a key determining factor in choosing to use public transit. Kingston Transit s current service frequencies are summarized in Table 4. All of the Express Routes operate at a minimum of 15-minute service frequency during the morning and afternoon peak periods, Monday Friday, and 30-minute service frequency at all other times including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Most local routes operate at 30-minute service frequency during daytime hours (Monday Saturday) and 60-minute service frequency evenings and Sundays with the exception of Route 7 which operates on 30-minute service frequency at all times. Route 10 frequency is determined by Loyalist Township through their service contract. Routes 17, 18 and 20 operate on irregular schedules due to their operational uniqueness. Express 501/502 Table 4 - Kingston Transit Service Frequency (in minutes) Weekday Saturdays Sundays/ Holidays Peak Midday Evenings Daytime Evenings 10 20 30 30 30 30 (as of Sept 2016) 15 15 30 30 30 30 Express 601/602 Express 15 30 30 30 30 30 701/702 Route 7 30 30 30 30 30 30 Other Local 30 30 60 30 60 60 Routes* *Excludes: Routes 10 (Amherstview), 17 (Queen s Late Night Shuttle), 18 (Train Station), 20 (Queen s Shuttle) 10 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 33
Passenger Trips (Ridership) The previous Plan (2011 2015) forecast ridership growth of 17% from 3.50 million annual passenger trips in 2011 to 4.10 million annual passenger trips by 2015. Kingston Transit monitors ridership on an ongoing and regular basis. Kingston Transit ridership in 2015 was 4.65 million passenger trips, surpassing the 2015 forecast by almost 600,000 passenger trips. Table 5 summarizes annual passenger trips, by passenger type, for the 2011 2015 period. Table 5 - Kingston Transit Passenger Trips (2011-2015) Year # of Passenger Trips Adult Students Child Senior Total (19 64) (6 18) (65+) 2015 2,031,187 1,919,306 481,870 226,937 4,659,300 2014 1,917,106 1,719,648 328,604 219,812 4,185,170 2013 1,791,460 1,432,853 257,785 220,769 3,702,867 2012 1,825,005 1,359,933 221,315 209,551 3,615,804 2011 1,820,945 1,380,053 176,620 177,631 3,555,249 Transit Pass Sales In addition to overall passenger trips Kingston Transit regularly monitors sales of transit passes by fare category, including the number of employees on the Employer Pass program. The number of Adult and Employer passes provides an indication of the number of riders who might otherwise use an automobile to complete a trip. Table 6 summarizes adult transit passes sold in each year and the number of employees participating in the Employer Pass program at the end of each year. The growth rate in these fare categories is significant and can be directly attributed to the introduction of Express service, increase in service frequency, and the pricing and marketing strategies that have been executed. Table 6 - Kingston Transit Adult Passes & Employees on Employer Program Year Adult Passes (annually) # of Employees on Employer Program (as of December in each year) 2015 21118 990 2014 20051 767 2013 19298 395 2012 18251 201 11 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 34
Customer Satisfaction In preparation of the Business Plan an online and on-street survey was administered to solicit feedback on Kingston Transit s service. One of the questions in the survey asked respondents to indicate whether they felt Kingston Transit is better or worse than 5 years ago. The responses to this question are shown in Table 7. More than 70% of respondents indicated that Kingston Transit service is better than it was 5 years ago. Table 7 - Kingston Transit - Survey Response - Service Satisfaction Compared to 5 years ago, would you describe the Kingston Transit service as TOTAL % Better 839 71% Worse 40 3% The same 136 12% Don't know 154 13% Prefer not to say/not specified 16 1% Total 1185 100% Kingston Transit Redevelopment Plan - Performance Indicators Kingston Transit is a member of the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA). Performance data is reported to CUTA on an annual basis for publication. The CUTA performance data provides transit agencies with an opportunity to compare performance with other transit agencies across Canada. Kingston Transit periodically compares this information to a group of 6 other transit agencies in Ontario with similar revenue service hours. While direct comparison of performance measures is not recommended because of the number of factors unique to each transit agency, this information does provide an overall view of performance. Kingston Transit s performance indicators and the average of the 6 comparable transit agencies for 2015 is summarized in Table 8. Table 8 - Kingston Transit CUTA Performance Indicators (2011 2015) Performance Indicator 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2015 Average (6 comparison cities) Financial Performance Revenue/Cost Ratio 40.3% 38.4% 35.5% 33.9% 32.9% 34.76% Cost Effectiveness 12 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 35
Performance Indicator Operating Expenses per Passenger Cost Efficiency Operating Expenses per Vehicle Hour 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2015 Average (6 comparison cities) $3.89 $4.03 $4.30 $4.29 $4.22 $5.53 $81.43 $86.76 $86.16 $86.34 $84.34 $101.32 Service Utilization Ridership (Trips) per Capita 31.66 32.07 32.50 36.54 40.47 26.98 Amount of Service Revenue Vehicle Hours per Capita 1.43 1.41 1.55 1.72 1.90 1.29 Revenue/Cost Ratio: The revenue/cost ratio reflects the amount of direct operating costs that are covered by direct operating revenues. For example, a 35% revenue/cost ratio would indicate that 35% of operating costs are being covered by revenues. Any costs not funded by operating revenues need to come from other sources, including the municipal tax base. Kingston Transit s revenue cost ratio has decreased from 40.3% to 32.9% from 2001 to 2015. This result reflects the substantial increase in revenue service hours that have contributed to increased operating costs over this period. A decrease in the revenue/cost ratio is not unexpected given the increase in service hours. Operating Expenses per Passenger: This indicator reflects the direct operating expenses divided by the number of passenger trips. It is intended to reflect the costs of providing each passenger trip. Kingston Transit s cost per passenger trip has increased compared to 5 years ago however it has stabilized and actually decreased in 2015. This is a reflection of strong ridership growth, especially since 2013. Operating Expenses per Revenue Vehicle Hour: This indicator reflects cost of operating each hour of transit service. Kingston Transit s operating costs per hour have remained very stable over the last 5 year period. Although Kingston Transit revenue service hours have substantially increased the hourly cost for providing the service has remained very constant and within inflationary increases. 13 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 36
Ridership Trips Per Capita: This indicator reflects regular service passenger trips divided by the service area population. The service area population represents the urban areas of the City that have immediate access to Kingston Transit service. The ridership per capita has increased steadily since 2011, but more significantly in 2013 with introduction of Express service. The increase in trips per capita is consistent with the overall increases in Kingston Transit passenger trips. Revenue Vehicle Hours per Capita: This indicator is intended to reflect the overall amount of service being provided to a community. The increase in revenue vehicle hours per capita reflects the expansion of transit service, especially since 2013. Overall, Kingston Transit s performance results reflect: a substantial increase in revenue service hours since 2013 that have contributed to increased overall operating costs and an increased contribution from municipal taxes to support transit service growth a pricing (fare) structure that has a primary objective of growing ridership strong ridership growth since 2013 stable operating expenses 14 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 37
Kingston Transit - The Next 5 Years (2017 2021): Recommended Service Improvements This section summarizes recommended service improvements for 2017 2021. Service Improvement Considerations The identification, assessment, and timing of service improvements considered the following: Kingston Transit Vision The Transit Redevelopment Plan established a new vision for Kingston Transit in 2011. Our vision is to make Kingston Transit a network-driven and market-focused organization that provides a transit service that all citizens of Kingston choose to use in support of the City s Sustainability Plan and transportation policies. Kingston Transit is a viable transportation choice that is competitive with the automobile in terms of comfort, convenience, reliability, and travel time. City of Kingston Official Plan The Official Plan for the City of Kingston came into effect in 2010. The Official Plan is currently being reviewed and updated in accordance with the Planning Act. At the time that the recommended service improvements were being considered, the Official Plan Update review was in its 3 rd draft. The Official Plan guides long-term development and establishes goals and a means to achieve them by taking into consideration important land use, social, cultural, economic, and environmental factors. Section 4 of the Official Plan addresses Infrastructure and Transportation and identifies the following goal: To increase sustainable means of travel and reduce reliance on the automobile, the City will promote a compact form of development within the Urban Boundary having a mix of uses that reduce the need for travel, and will also promote increased densities that are supportive of public transit alternatives. Increasing opportunities for active transportation and improving the maintenance of pedestrian and cycling routes will increase usage, safety and access for all. Section 4 of the Official Plan also describes Transit Service as follows: 15 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 38
Transit Service 4.6.37. The City supports the maintenance and expansion of a transit system that provides safe, convenient, affordable, efficient, and cost-effective service to all residents within the Urban Boundary, including those with disabilities. Para-transit may be made available in the Rural Area dependent on budget and demand for the service. 4.6.38. Specific means of encouraging transit use include, but are not limited to: a. the careful location, design and site planning of high intensity uses; b. the appropriate design of roads and intersections to accommodate transit vehicles; c. adequate and appropriate bus stops, which may include shelters, benches, and terminal transfer points; and, d. planning for transit stops within 300 metres of major activity centres, and 95 per cent of urban residences. In the 3 rd draft of the Official Plan Update the goal in Section 4 has been maintained and revised to include reference to active transportation and the section on Transit Service has been maintained without changes. Kingston s Strategic Plan (2015 2018) Kingston s Strategic Plan (2015 2018) was established by City Council. The Strategic Plan includes 6 priority areas. Council set a vision of A Smart and Livable 21 st Century City as the guiding theme for these priorities. The six priorities areas are: Create a smart economy Invest in infrastructure Plan a livable city Green the city Advance a vibrant waterfront Foster open government Each priority area includes initiatives that will be undertaken within the life of the Strategic Plan. The plan a livable city priority area specifically identifies that during its term, Council will expand and improve public transit. There are other initiatives within the Strategic Plan that an expanded and improved public transit directly supports, including: Develop a youth employment strategy 16 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 39
Develop an immigration strategy Create affordable, sustainable and mixed housing Advance an integrated multi-modal and active transportation system Foster intensification in the city core Revitalize north-end including mixed residential and commercial investment along Montreal St Develop policies to prevent urban sprawl and protect agricultural lands 2015 Kingston Transportation Master Plan (KTMP) Council Motion December 1, 2015 In 2015 City Council received the 2015 Kingston Transportation Master Plan (KTMP). The KTMP provides the long-term direction for the development of transportation networks and supporting policies, programs and services. It is a key strategic document that influences trips made by walking, cycling, transit and the automobile throughout the city over the next twenty years. The KTMP recommended a city-wide afternoon peak mode share of 9% for public transit by 2034. City Council subsequently approved a motion on December 1, 2015, that increased the city-wide afternoon peak mode share target for public transit from 9% to an aspirational transit target of 15%. The same motion also directed City staff to develop the 5-year Kingston Transit Business Plan (2017 2021) with an objective of increasing transit ridership from 4.2 million annual trips to 5.6 million annual trips by 2021. At a 15% transit mode share the KTMP identified that: transit annual operating costs would need to increase to $51 million by 2034. A total capital investment of $52 million would also be required (2014 dollars). transit ridership needs to increase from 4,450 passenger trips (Fall 2014) to 15,350 passenger trips in the weekday afternoon peak period by 2034; an overall increase of 245%. This represents an additional 545 transit passenger trips in the weekday afternoon peak period every year until 2034. the weekday afternoon peak period transit mode share in the downtown area needs to reach 24% (compared to only 14% at a 9% city-wide transit mode share). Conceptual transit service frequency in 2034 at a 9% mode share target was included on Map 7 - Future Kingston Transit PM (afternoon) Peak Service Frequency in the KTMP. The conceptual service frequency contemplated by Map 7 in the KTMP is shown in Figure 2. 17 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 40
Figure 2 - KTMP Map 7 - Kingston Transit Weekday PM Peak Service Frequency (2034) 18 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 41
The service frequency targets proposed on Map 7 are reasonable to achieve the 15% mode share established by Council. However, to achieve a 15% mode share: the KTMP acknowledged that the rate of transit service implementation would need to be expedited so that the proposed service frequencies were operating and in place prior to 2034 the range of frequencies identified as having a range of 5 10 minute service frequency on Map 7 will need to operate at 5 minute frequency before 2034, especially for routes serving the downtown area strategic pricing policies for transit and parking need to be maintained and enhanced to incentivize transit usage and discourage single occupancy auto use a continued and concentrated marketing and sales focus will be required, targeted at commuters using single occupancy automobiles transit oriented development supported by the Official Plan and Planning policy needs to occur, especially along high frequency transit corridors The Council motion indicated that the objective is to increase transit ridership to 5.6 million trips by 2021. To reach 15% mode share, ridership must grow at a much faster rate, assuming straight line average growth to the year 2034. A target of 6.05 million is a more accurate reflection of the ridership level that will need to be achieved by 2021 to reach the 15% mode share objective by 2034. The Business Plan assumes that achieving the 15% mode share is Council s main objective aligned to the applicable ridership target. Therefore the Business Plan has been prepared on the premise of a 15% mode share target by 2034 and a ridership target of 6.05 million by 2021. Bus Operator Committee A committee of 6 bus operators was established to provide front-line employee input into the development of the Kingston Transit Business Plan. The bus operators were selected for the committee on the basis of submitting a written expression of interest. The committee met on several occasions to discuss needs, challenges and opportunities. The committee also administered a survey to solicit feedback from all employees at Kingston Transit and collect suggestions for service improvements. Public and Stakeholder Engagement Opportunities were provided for the public and stakeholders to offer their feedback and ideas. 19 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 42
Stakeholder Meetings Kingston Transit staff held individual meetings with external transit stakeholders. In some cases, stakeholders preferred to provide comments in writing instead of participating in a meeting. The list of stakeholders is included in Table 9. Table 9 - Kingston Transit Stakeholder List Stakeholder Name Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic District School Board AMHS-KFLA Canadian Forces Base Kingston (CFB Kingston) Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) Empire Life Hotel Dieu Hospital Kingston Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington Public Health (KFLA Public Health) Kingston General Hospital Kingston Access Services (Access Bus) Kingston Coalition for Active Transportation (KCAT) Kingston Community Health Centres Kingston Immigration Partnership Kingston Military Family Resource Centre Limestone District School Board Ministry of Transportation Providence Care Queen s University Parking Services Queen s University Alma Mater Society (AMS) Queen s University Society of Graduate and Professional Students (SGPS) Queen s University International Centre (QUIC) Queen s University Campus Planning Group (Planning, Registrar s Office, Academic Provost) Seniors Association Startek J. E. Agnew Food Services Ltd (Tim Hortons) VIA Rail Canada Vrtucar City Councillors (5) Various Internal City of Kingston Departments 20 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 43
Public Information Sessions Kingston Transit hosted 4 public information sessions: Thursday, April 14, 2016, at the Isabel Turner branch of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at LaSalle Secondary School Monday, April 25, 2016, at the Isabel Turner branch of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library Wednesday, April 27, 2016, at QECVI Secondary School A total of 60 participants attended the public information sessions. The public information session on April 14 featured Dr. Jeff Casello, an urban transportation expert, who shared best practices and how they apply to Kingston. A video of the information session is available online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqbzlsapd3q Participants at the sessions were provided with an opportunity to meet one-on-one with transit staff to discuss needs and opportunities. Participants at these sessions were also invited to complete a survey. Live Chat Jeremy DaCosta, Manager Kingston Transit, hosted a live chat on April 19, 2016. A copy of the chat transcript is available on the City of Kingston s website. Online Survey An online survey was available on the City of Kingston s webpage during the public consultation period. 470 online surveys were completed. On-Street Survey An on-street survey was administered by Kingston Transit staff over several days at Kingston Transit transfer points. Participants were asked a series of survey questions. The on-street survey was similar to the online survey however the number of questions was reduced in order to decrease the amount of time needed to complete the survey. 715 on-street surveys were completed. 21 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 44
Summary Public and Stakeholder Feedback This section summarizes the common themes received through stakeholder consultation, public engagement sessions, and the live chat. Pricing/Fares Free and ubiquitous parking is a challenge to convincing more commuters to use public transit Some employers that charge for parking will be increasing parking rates to encourage employees to use public transit Generally, transit fares are viewed as affordable and good value for money Expand the free child fare category to include all children 12 and under Expand the youth fare category to include all youth ages 13 24 to support youth strategies Expand the family pass to include larger families and reduce the overall cost Establish a group rate for elementary schools using Kingston Transit for school trips Provide more affordable transit options for low income transit users The multi-step process to obtain an Affordable Transit Pass is viewed as a barrier Using the low income cutoff (LICO) as the determining factor for eligibility for an Affordable Transit Pass is not a good measure for those on a fixed income just above LICO The free high school program is supporting independence, access to employment opportunities, and access to community programs Technology: Provide real-time bus arrival information Introduce mobile payment options Infrastructure: Park & Ride facilities provide a convenient integration between public transit and automobile use Increase the number of Park & Ride locations Improve signage, visibility and pathways at Park & Ride facilities 22 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 45
The Park & Ride facility at Centre 70 is approaching capacity Improve accessible pathways and waiting areas at non-express Route bus stops Improve pedestrian connections across Sir John A. Macdonald Blvd. to/from the Palace Rd. express bus stop The current design of the Cataraqui Centre transfer point is difficult for passengers with disabilities to navigate Customer Service: Bus operators are very friendly and helpful Bus operators accommodate those with special needs or requests Bus operators are patient and understanding Marketing/Promotion: The Transpass employer transit pass program is operating very well and is easy to administer An opportunity exists to integrate Kingston Transit information into employer onboarding/orientation processes for new employees Employers see the Kingston Transit employer pass program as an attraction tool for recruiting new employees Transit marketing messages should include more emphasis on: the total costs of car ownership the availability of Park & Ride facilities and options health benefits safety benefits Continue free promotional days in conjunction with broad based community events Santa Claus Parade, Promenade events Travel training sessions that provide an orientation to Kingston Transit are beneficial Increase Kingston Transit s presence on social media Service Planning: The Express Routes have positively changed the public perception of Kingston Transit Kingston Transit service has significantly improved with the Express Service Employees that work shifts with hours that do not align to transit service hours are unable to use public transit Provide earlier and later service on Sunday 23 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 46
Provide earlier and later service on holidays to facilitate participation in community events, including fireworks displays Provide later service on weekdays and Saturdays Provide service on holidays where Kingston Transit does not currently provide service Christmas Day, New Year s Day, Good Friday The lack of service between 12am 5am limits some service employees from choosing public transit Reduce transfers between key destinations Improvements to Kingston Transit service supports the potential for intensification along nodes and corridors Walking distance is viewed as a deterrent for some users at these locations: Accessing Frontenac Mall from Bath Rd. Accessing Kingston Centre from Bath Rd. Accessing the new Providence Care hospital from King St. Expand bus service to unserved areas, including: Woodhaven Princess St. between Bayridge Dr. and Collins Bay Rd. Rural areas Kingston Airport Westbrook Keeping bike racks on buses year round supports integration with cycling Future Development Opportunities: The new Rideau Heights community centre will be an important destination in the Rideau Heights community that will require appropriate transit access. The new community centre in Kingston East will be an important destination that will require appropriate transit access. The visioning for Kingston Penitentiary/Portsmouth Olympic Harbour should consider transit connectivity. Summary On-Street/Online Surveys: The surveys offered participants an opportunity to provide up to 3 suggestions for improvement. 80% of survey respondents provided at least 1 suggestion for improvement. All suggestions were reviewed and grouped together by theme. The top 5 themes arising from the survey are summarized in Table 10. 24 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 47
Table 10 - Survey Top 5 Service Improvement Suggestions Service Improvement Suggestion % Sunday service - increase frequency of service and expand hours of operation 14.5% Increase service frequency on routes, including adding more Express Routes 11.2% Weekday/Saturday service extended service after midnight 9.7% Increased reliability better on-time performance, decrease missed transfers 8.8% Improved signage, maps 5.7% 25 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 48
Recommended Service Improvements All of the recommended service improvements and timelines are summarized in Appendix A (Summary of Recommended Service Improvements 2017 2021). The recommended service improvements for 2017 2021 are presented in 5 phases. These recommendations, when fully implemented over the 5 year period, will add approximately 63,000 annual revenue service hours and 21 additional buses to the Kingston Transit fleet. All of the service improvements identified in Phases 1 5 have been included in the Financial Plan. The most significant factor in identifying the selection of recommended service improvements and allocation of resources was guided by Council s aspirational goal of 15% transit mode share during the weekday afternoon peak period by 2034. Achieving this goal will require significant ridership growth in the 17 years between 2017 and 2034. Based on ridership in Fall 2014 the KTMP identified that Kingston Transit afternoon peak ridership would need to increase from 4,450 daily passengers trips to 15,350 daily passenger trips. This represents adding an additional 545 daily transit passenger trips in the afternoon peak period every year until 2034. This will require ridership to grow by 10 daily transit passenger trips during the afternoon peak period every week until 2034. In fall 2015 the daily weekday afternoon peak period ridership had increased to 5,003 passenger trips (1.20 million trips annually). To achieve 15,350 daily passengers trips during the weekday afternoon peak by 2034, ridership will be required to grow from 1.20 million trips to 1.93 million trips by 2021 (a 60% increase). Table 11 provides a summary of projected annual transit ridership for 2016 2021 expected to be achieved by implementing the Business Plan. The afternoon peak daily passenger trips grow to 1.93 million trips as noted above. All other passenger trips assume a ridership increase of 2% annually. 26 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 49
Table 11 - Projected Transit Ridership: 2016 2021 (in millions) 2016* 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Afternoon peak passenger trips 1.20 1.40 1.53 1.66 1.79 1.93 All other passenger trips 3.73 3.80 3.88 3.96 4.04 4.12 Total passenger trips 4.93 5.20 5.41 5.62 5.83 6.05 *Note: 2016 peak passengers trips is a projection based on January to June 2016 results. The majority of revenue service hours between 2017 and 2021 are allocated to enhancing the Express Route network by adding a new Express Route on the Montreal St. corridor and increasing the frequency of service on existing Express Routes to directly support the 15% mode share target. Figure 3 and Figure 4 illustrate the changes in weekday afternoon peak service frequency between 2016 and 2021 once all of the recommended service improvements in the Business Plan are complete. 27 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 50
Figure 3 2016 Weekday Afternoon Peak Service Frequency 28 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 51
Figure 4-2021 Weekday Afternoon Peak Service Frequency 29 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 52
Phase 1: Expanded Hours of Operation Sundays/Holidays September 2017 The recommended improvements in Phase 1 focus on addressing passenger requests for increased hours of operation on Sundays and Holidays. In Phase 1, the hours of operation on Sundays/Holidays on all Express Routes, Route 7 and Route 15 are expanded to match Saturday hours of operation and service frequency. The recommendation is to expand the hours of service on only these routes to provide reasonable service coverage across a significant portion of the transit service area without the need to operate all routes. It is recommended that Routes 7 and 15 operate during these extended hours of operation on Sundays/Holidays to provide service coverage outside of areas not within walking proximity of an Express Route bus stop. Hours of operation on these routes would be expanded on Sundays/Holidays to provide service from 6am 8am and 9pm 12am (midnight) to match Saturday hours of operation. Figure 5 shows the approximate service coverage that is provided by operating only the Express Routes, Route 7, and Route 15. 30 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 53
Figure 5 - Evening/Sunday/Holiday Service - Express Route, Routes 7, 15 Service Area 31 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 54
Improving hours of operation on Sundays/Holidays is particularly important to service employees who use or could potentially use Kingston Transit on a regular basis Monday to Saturday, but are unable to do so on Sundays/Holidays forcing them to consider alternate transportation options. This improvement also addresses requests from the community to provide service to/from community events on holidays such as Victoria Day and Canada Day fireworks. This recommendation does not include expanding service to operate on Good Friday, Christmas Day, or New Year s Day. Phase 2: Montreal Street Express Service & Express Route 601/602 10 minute peak service - May 2018: The primary focus of Phase 2 is the expansion and growth of the transit network to support the 15% weekday afternoon peak transit target. Phase 2 significantly enhances service to the Montreal Street corridor, Markers Acres, and Rideau Heights, which have been identified by stakeholders as being underserved by existing transit service. Montreal Street Express Service May 2018 In Phase 2 a new Express Route is added to the Montreal Street corridor. This direct, high frequency Express Route will operate between the Montreal St. Park & Ride (located at Highway 401), downtown, Queen s University and Kingston General Hospital. Figure 6 illustrates the proposed route. 32 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 55
Figure 6 - Montreal Street Express Route - May 2018 33 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 56
The Montreal St. Express Route will operate with 15 minute service frequency during peak periods Monday Friday and at 30 minute service frequency at all other times. The service frequency is summarized in Table 12 Table 12 - Montreal Street Express - Service Frequency Montreal St. Express Weekday Saturdays Peak Midday Evenings Daytime Evenings Sundays/ Holidays 15 30 30 30 30 30 The Montreal St. Express Route will operate during the hours shown in Table 13 consistent with the hours of operation of other Express Routes. Table 13 - Montreal St. Express Route Hours of Operation Monday to Sunday Holidays Holidays: New Year s Day Christmas Day Good Friday Hours of Operation 6:00am 12:00am 6:00am 12:00am No Service In keeping with the recommendation from Phase 1, the Montreal St. Express Route will operate from 6:00am 12:00am on Sundays/Holidays to provide improved service coverage on the Montreal St. corridor. Phase 2 cannot be scheduled for earlier than May 2018 because of the delivery time that is required to order new buses and the time necessary to build Express bus stop infrastructure (bus stops and shelters) on Montreal St.. Express Route 601/602 (Kingston East) 10 minute service May 2018 In Phase 2 the 601/602 Express Routes are increased from 15 minute service frequency to 10 minute service frequency during the weekday morning and afternoon peak periods. The revised service frequencies are shown in Table 14. 34 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 57
Table 14 - Route 601/602 Revised Service Frequency Express Route 601/602 Weekday Saturdays Peak Midday Evenings Daytime Evenings Sundays/ Holidays 10 15 30 30 30 30 With an increase to 10 minute frequency during weekday peak periods, 15 minute frequency midday, and 30 minute frequency being maintained at all other times, the Route 12 local service operating north of CFB Kingston will be discontinued. A bus currently assigned to Route 12 will be reallocated to Express Routes 601/602 to support the increase in service frequency. Since the introduction of Express Routes 601/602 in May 2015 the ridership on Route 12 north of CFB Kingston has dropped by 90% (April 2015 compared to April 2016). The ridership on the Route 12 originating from north of CFB Kingston is less than 20 passenger trips per day or about 1 passenger trip per hour on average. This change to Route 12 will introduce a transfer for any passengers travelling between CFB Kingston and areas north of CFB Kingston. Passengers will still have the option to transfer to/from a 601 and 602 Express Route to/from the Route 12 to complete their trip. Figure 7 shows the revised transit service in Kingston East with Route 12 discontinued north of CFB Kingston. 35 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 58
Figure 7 - Kingston East - Revised Service (Route 601/602, Route 12) May 2018 36 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 59
Improved Service Reliability Rideau Heights/King s Crossing May 2018 The highest number of passenger trips involving a transfer on the Kingston Transit network occur at the Bus Terminal transfer point, between Routes 2, 7, and 16. This transfer point is located at the intersection of John Counter Blvd. and Leroy Grant Dr. Anytime a transfer is introduced in a passenger trip there is a risk that the trip will be impacted by missing a connection to another bus. The frustration of a missed transfer is increased when buses are pulsing at the same time and there is relatively low frequency of service. In the case of Routes 2, 7 and 16 these routes pulse together at the Bus Terminal transfer point and only operate at a maximum 30 minute service frequency. If a passenger misses a connecting bus they have a long wait until the next bus is scheduled to arrive. In Phase 2, Routes 7 and 16 are modified to eliminate the most frequently requested transfers. More passengers will have single seat service without the need to transfer to another bus to complete their trip. Route 7 is modified to provide expanded coverage in the Rideau Heights community eliminating the need to transfer to/from Route 2 to continue trips across the north end of the City. Route 16 is modified to service Markers Acres, King s Crossing, and the Clyde Industrial Park (Dalton Ave.) to eliminate the need to transfer to/from Routes 2 or 7 to reach these destinations. Phase 3: Express Route 501/502 7½ minute peak service September 2019: The focus of Phase 3 is the continued expansion and growth of the highly successful 501/502 Express Routes. Phase 3 also includes improvements to local transit service in Strathcona Park and Waterloo Village. Express Routes 501/502 7½ Minute Weekday Peak Service September 2019: In September 2016, the weekday peak frequency on Express Routes 501/502 will increase from 15 minutes to 10 minutes. Based on historical ridership growth on Express Routes 501/502 since 2013, it is anticipated that by the fall of 2019 Express Routes 501/502 will need to increase to 7 ½ minute service frequency during the weekday peak period to accommodate passenger growth. 37 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 60
Local Route Service Enhancements September 2019: The neighbourhoods of Strathcona Park, Sutton Mills, and Waterloo currently have service in a single direction only (1-way). In Phase 3, bi-directional (2-way) service is introduced to these neighbourhoods. This will provide more options for connecting to other routes and reduce overall travel time for passengers. Phase 4 Montreal St Express Route Expansion - September 2020: In Phase 4, the Montreal St Express Route introduced in May 2018 is extended to provide single-seat service to destinations farther south/west including the new Providence Care hospital on King St., St. Lawrence College and the Kingston Centre. This route significantly improves frequency and provides additional capacity between St. Lawrence College and the Kingston Centre transfer point. In Phase 4, transit service is expanded to provide service to: - Woodhaven (west of Bayridge Dr., north of Princess St. - Cataraqui Woods (north of Sierra Ave., south of Creekford Rd.) - Cataraqui Woods Industrial Park (east of Gardiners Rd., north of Cataraqui Woods Dr.) A new route is added to provide new local transit service to Woodhaven. The introduction of this route will provide an opportunity to improve service to the northern sections of Cataraqui Woods and the Cataraqui Industrial Park. Local Route Service Enhancements September 2020: The neighbourhood of Cataraqui North (north of Princess St, between Centennial Dr. and Sydenham Rd.) currently has service in a single direction only (1-way). In Phase 4, bi-directional (2-way) service is introduced to this neighbourhood. This will provide more options for connecting to other routes and reduce overall travel time for passengers. In Phase 4, Route 1 service is increased to 30 minute frequency at all times of day, including Sundays and holidays providing enhanced service to Markers Acres, Rideau Heights, the Inner Harbour and Union Street corridor. 38 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 61
Figure 8 shows the conceptual route expansion. The final route will be determined through further analysis prior to September 2020. Phase 4 also includes improvements to local transit service, including the introduction of new service in the Woodhaven community. New Local Route Service September 2020: In Phase 4, transit service is expanded to provide service to: - Woodhaven (west of Bayridge Dr., north of Princess St. - Cataraqui Woods (north of Sierra Ave., south of Creekford Rd.) - Cataraqui Woods Industrial Park (east of Gardiners Rd., north of Cataraqui Woods Dr.) A new route is added to provide new local transit service to Woodhaven. The introduction of this route will provide an opportunity to improve service to the northern sections of Cataraqui Woods and the Cataraqui Industrial Park. Local Route Service Enhancements September 2020: The neighbourhood of Cataraqui North (north of Princess St, between Centennial Dr. and Sydenham Rd.) currently has service in a single direction only (1-way). In Phase 4, bi-directional (2-way) service is introduced to this neighbourhood. This will provide more options for connecting to other routes and reduce overall travel time for passengers. In Phase 4, Route 1 service is increased to 30 minute frequency at all times of day, including Sundays and holidays providing enhanced service to Markers Acres, Rideau Heights, the Inner Harbour and Union Street corridor. 39 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 62
Figure 8 - Montreal Street Express Route Expanded Route September 2020 40 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 63
Phase 5 Express Route 701/702 Route Expansions - September 2021: In Phase 5, the 701/702 Express Route is expanded to provide service on John Counter Blvd. and Taylor-Kidd Blvd. between King s Crossing and the Cataraqui Centre. This will provide more frequent east-west transit options for passengers. Figure 9 shows the conceptual route expansion for Route 701/702. The final route will be determined through further analysis prior to September 2021. 41 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 64
Figure 9 - Express Route 701/702 Expansion September 2021 42 Special Council Meeting 24 - September 27, 2016 65