About the Blog:

Guelph Politico is locally sourced and dedicated to covering the political and cultural scene in the City of Guelph. Est. 2008.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Press Release - Guelph Transit Tries Another Band-Aid

It would mean a lot to me if Guelph Transit would stop "fixing" what's not broken, but my expectations with the management of our public transportation system are at an all-time low. Now, the illustrious pinheads that run our bus system have decided that they want to turn 15 minute peak service into 20 minute peak service. Huh?
While I'll admit their rationale is sound, traffic congestion, weather, and construction all have an impact on how easily buses are able to return to Guelph Central Station to make transfers, is the 15-minute peak service really the place in the schedule that this needs to be resolved?
Let me put it this way, if I miss my transfer during the 15-minute schedule, I might have to wait 10 to 15 minutes for the next bus, but if I miss my transfer during the half-hour schedule, I might have to wait as long as half-an-hour for the next bus. It's easier to account for the potential of being 15 minutes late than it is for 30-minutes, plus a 10-minute wait in the rather useless shelters at the station goes by faster than a 25-minute one.
I'm long since past expecting logical solutions to our problems with Guelph Transit, but this is really absurd and it's further proof that the people running it are absolutely clueless, at least in my opinion.
Here's the press release from the city:
GUELPH, ON, December 7, 2012 – At next Monday's committee meeting, transit staff will recommend changing peak service from 15 to 20 minute frequency. Operations Transit and Emergency Services Committee members received a report outlining the recommendation earlier today.
The recommended change comes almost a year after the implementation of the Transit Growth Strategy which called for new routes and schedules to improve efficiency and offer better, more direct and more frequent service.
A number of factors including road construction, traffic congestion and friction and inclement weather are impacting Guelph Transit's ability to deliver reliable service on the current schedule, particularly between the hours of 8:15-9:15 a.m. and 2-5 p.m.
"Customer service is a key focus for the City of Guelph and a priority for Guelph Transit. We recognize the current schedule is not serving the needs and expectations of the community," said Guelph Transit general manager, Michael Anders.
Staff's recommendation to switch to 20 minute peak service and continue 30 minute off-peak service is in direct response feedback from riders and operators and in the interest of improving customer service.
“20 minute peak and 30 minute off-peak service would also apply to industrial route 20 and improve service for commuters travelling in the north end of the city,” added Anders.
If approved by City Council on December 17, 20 minute peak service would come into effect on Sunday, February 3.
Since the new schedule came into effect on January 1, some riders have expressed dissatisfaction with route timing, missed transfers and connections. Data shows approximately 25 per cent of connections are missed because there is insufficient time to complete routes during peak times of day.
Despite the difficulty implementing new routes, the City and Council remain committed to the Transit Growth Strategy and its long-term vision for public transportation in Guelph. Already, the strategy has established a downtown hub connecting local, regional and national buses and trains, and enhanced Guelph’s family of mobility services.
In addition to its five-year ridership growth plan, the strategy will assess potential demand for inter-regional transit service, and protect key transportation corridors to allow higher order transit service.

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