New Transit Route Expands Service To New Residential Area

Wednesday, 27 November 2019 07:18

Following a study initiated by City staff, people in the Friendly City will see a new transit route in the future. There will now be seven routes offered with 30 minute cycles, which was one of three scenarios presented in the study.

WOODSTOCK - Residents can expect to see a new transit route in the Friendly City.

There will be seven routes with 30-minute cycles, which was approved by Woodstock City council on Thursday's meeting after staff performed a study.

Acting Mayor Jerry Acchione says the new changes are going to be very positive.

"The north part of the city is going to be definitely serviced much better with this change, as well as some of the industrial areas will have a bus going in there that was never there before."

Staff initiated a study presenting three scenarios and then performed a public consultation after they developed feasible options those scenarios.

Acting Mayor Acchione says he believes this is the best option for residents.

"Not only from a ridership point of view but definitely cost-wise this is the least expensive way to get the best ridership possible, and keep it under the 30-minute ride time."

The city currently has six routes and a seventh bus will be added on the road to increase the coverage area.

The City of Woodstock Transit Policy says Transit Department's goal is to provide transportation within 400 metres to 90% of the residents.

According to staff's report, one option was six routes with 30-minute cycles which would be a modification of the current system to see if it could be stretched to see if the new area could be serviced. The other option was six routes with 40-minute cycles, seeing the same number of buses on the road but the time would be extended so the buses could travel further to reach the new areas.

The report adds the new route will expand the service into the new residential area and industrial area and provide reliable service on time. It also states the expansion and reliability will increase ridership, resulting in more revenue through fares and gas tax provisions.

The new transit route is expected to be running in 2020 and it will be added to next year's budget deliberations.