ELORA – Centre Wellington is embarking on a study to discover when, where and how to start a public transit service in the township.
Council heard on Oct. 14 the township received a $50,000 grant from the federal Rural Transit Solutions Fund to initiate a feasibility study.
Dillon Consulting has been hired to conduct the study, which will consider the needs of existing residents as well as population and employment growth in the township.
Managing director of infrastructure services Colin Baker said already there is desire to have connections to Guelph Transit and Grand River Transit in Waterloo Region.
The service would also build on existing transit programs like:
- the township’s Elora and Fergus Downtown Shuttle service;
- Wellington County’s RideWell on-demand service;
- the Guelph Owen Sound Transit (GOST) that stops in Elora, Fergus and Arthur; and
- Wellington Transportation Service’s volunteer program for residents with low incomes.
But it could also include trips to Belwood, Ariss and Inverhaugh.
In the meantime, the township is seeking public feedback and has set up a tab at ConnectCW where residents can learn about the proposal and offer their thoughts.
Baker said public feedback on potential bus routes is vital, as only ridership will guarantee a successful transit program.
“We want to connect to destinations where people want to go,” he said.
This is in the very early stages, Baker stressed, and it really begins with public engagement.
Upcoming engagement opportunities include:
- the project website, which will include an online survey that will be available until Nov. 5;
- the township’s Key Projects Open House on Oct. 21 from 6 to 8pm at the Fergus sportsplex; and
- workshops and interviews with key stakeholder groups, including seniors, youth, persons with disabilities, Indigenous communities and others.
Baker said with the expansion of the township shuttle bus, which runs on weekends through the summer months, officials know there’s strong demand for local trips.
“We’re excited to get this started,” he said.
Mayor Shawn Watters said as the community grows, public transit will become even more important.
“This will provide options and opportunities for a lot of folks,” he said.
But don’t expect buses on the road right away.
Dillon Consulting will present a final report to council next May that will include a ridership forecast and capital and operating costs.
Council received the report for information and encouraged residents to fill out the survey at connectcw.ca/transitstudy.
