Transit study: expanded service could begin in 2027

ELORA – Centre Wellington council saw the road map for how to implement a public transit system in the township at its May 25 meeting.

And while a consultant recommended a phased approach, it also recommended getting started  sooner rather than later as provincial and federal transit grants required a fairly developed system to be considered.

Dennis Kar, of Dillon Consulting, said the feasibility study proves there is a need for a municipal transit system as well as a regional one, mainly between Fergus and Guelph.

He proposed building on the existing shuttle service between Elora and Fergus, running that seven days a week throughout the year at 30-minute intervals rather than the existing one-hour loop.

That could conceivably begin in 2027 pending budget approvalAs finances are available, Kar recommended expanding the fixed routes.

In Elora that would add a route from the GrandWay Events Centre to Salem and back, and a second route through the residential area south of the Grand River to Gilkison Street, returning along 1st Line.

In Fergus he sees a bus terminal in the downtown area and three potential routes.

One would encompass the Aboyne campus, including Groves Memorial Community Hospital and the Storybrook subdivision on Beatty Line as well as the commercial area on Highway 6 around Walmart.

A loop from downtown to the commercial area in south Fergus on Highway 6, including Zehrs, Canadian Tire and through that residential area to Centre Wellington District High School.

And a third loop on Gartshore Street could include residential neighbourhoods and the industrial part of town.

“The phasing could be done at the pace you desire,” Kar told council. “There’s opportunity to adjust” as need and finances allow.

For rural Centre Wellington, Kar recommended continuing with the Ride Well on-demand program, and integrating that with the existing GOST bus (Guelph to Owen Sound Transit) and the four-county transit system currently under consideration between Wellington, Grey, Bruce and Dufferin counties.

Eventually Centre Wellington could add a direct route from the Fergus terminal to Guelph Central Station that would allow transfers to Via Rail and Go train services there.

Kar recommended all buses be accessible, including the system Wellington County is investigating. It won’t come cheap, of course.

He recommended fares of $3.50 for adults, $1.75 for the affordable program (based on income) and children under 12 ride for free.

Monthly passes could be purchased for $94.50 for adults and $47.25 for the affordable program.

Phase one would cost the township about $1.5 million; phase two about $2.36 million; and phase three about $3 million.

The regional service, in collaboration with Wellington County, would cost the township $195,000 in phase one; $229,000 in phase two and $420,000 in phase three.

There are other funding sources, Kar said – the Ontario Transit Investment Fund (OTIF), the provincial gas tax program and the Canada Public Transit Fund might be available once the system is more robust.

Development charges could also apply to transit.

There would be capital costs such as bus stops, shelters and eventually constructing a bus terminal when the time comes.

Kar also recommended hiring an outside service provider in the early stages to provide buses and drivers. Over time it might make sense for the township to purchase its own buses and take over operating the service.

Councillors seemed pretty excited at the prospect of public transit, although they hoped fares could be kept low. Currently the shuttle service is free to riders.

Recommended next steps include:

– requesting council endorse a hybrid transit model; 

– directing staff to refine phasing, service design and implementation; 

– initiating more detailed business planning for launch-stage service levels, operating model and procurement requirements; 

– advancing discussions with Wellington County, Guelph and others about regional coordination and cost-sharing; 

– pursuing applicable provincial and federal funding opportunities in coordination with Wellington County;

– assessing development charge implications and incorporating transit capital considerations into future DC bylaw amendments; 

– undertaking detailed design work for key infrastructure, including the proposed transit terminal, bus stops and shelters; and 

– reporting back to council with an implementation strategy, budget options and decision points for future approval.

Council received the report for information at this meeting but it will return on June 29 for endorsement.