TAMRMS#: B09
title
Transit Presentation
Presented by: Anthony Lake, Director, Public Works & Transit Department, Dustin Creviston, Transit Operations Coordinator, Will Steblyk, Manager, Planning and Customer Service
label
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
That Community Growth & Infrastructure Standing Committee recommend to Council that Administration implement the transit service revisions, effective September 2020, as presented at the January 13th, 2020 Community Growth & Infrastructure Standing Committee meeting.
body
PURPOSE OF REPORT
To provide Council the opportunity to review Administrations recommendations for route restructuring scheduled for September 2020.To inform Council of service level impacts.
After review of the presentation and with Administration addressing any subsequent questions Council will be informed of the revisions recommended and may commission the required implementation logistics.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITY
Strategic Priority #3:
Building a Transportation Network: Integrated transportation systems.
Administrative Priority #3.5
Complete the Campbell Park and Ride facility and finish the Transit Local Route Restructuring Project.
ALIGNMENT TO SERVICE DELIVERY
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL (OR COMMITTEE) DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
N/A
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The completion of the Campbell Transit Centre and Park & Ride site in September of 2020 will require realignment of the current local route structure to accommodate the relocation of transit exchange functions from Village Transit Centre to the new facility.
Based on the Campbell Transit Centre’s location, additional distance between local and commuter connections are required to be accommodated challenging current transit service levels. Without revisions to the current service levels, increased operating costs of approximately $1.1 million per year are expected, beginning fiscal year 2021. (Represents a 2020 cost increase of $384,300 due to September start date).
The current economic climate and administrations desire to reduce operating costs has prompted a critical review of the route structure to avoid most of the associated cost increases.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
Stakeholder information gathered through; the previous Local Transit Route Restructuring Advisory Committee, Administrations work with the Regional Transit Services Commission’s potential alignments and the most recent StAT customer survey data were used to ensure broad interests and consider potential future impacts.
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
Without implementation of recommended route re-structure StAT 2020 operating budget will need to be increased by $384,300.00 to accommodate the September 2020 start of Campbell Road Transit centre as primary Transit exchange, further that the 2021 StAT operating budget projections be increased by approximately $1.1 million dollars.
Legal / Risk:
N/A.
Program or Service:
The current service delivery model will be changed with consideration for minimal customer impact. Local routes modified and extended to Campbell, frequencies to / from Edmonton changed to 20 minutes Vs 15 minutes, enhanced on demand software for current dial bus services.
Organizational:
Revisions to current service delivery will require a public information and education process that would be managed internally with collaboration of Transit, Corporate Communications and Community Relations staff.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
If Council does not wish to support the recommendation, the following alternatives could be considered:
Alternative 1. Continue with current service level and increase budget accordingly.
Alternative 2. Commission Administration to explore alternatives not presented.
Alternative 3. Delay decision until confirmation of any influences that may be presented by external agencies or provincial political direction that makes more urgent time sensitivity. If delayed beyond April 1st, 2020 an additional $ 384,300.00 will be required in the 2020 budget and is recommended to come from the stabilization reserve (Uncommitted balance of $ 2,163,606.00 as at November 30, 2019).
body
Report Date: January 13, 2020
Author(s): Anthony Lake
Committee/Department: Public Works & Transit Department
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble