Delegation June 17th, 2014 re Report TR-5-14, Transit Service Report Card
Susan Lewis
I saw the November 2012 schedule map before it came into effect and I checked that the #2 and #3 bus routes were still interlined. They appeared to be. There was no written schedule at that time and I was told these routes would to stay the same. When the written schedule did become available, the time for public input had passed. That’s the moment I became transportationly challenged.
Transit routes are expected to have a fixed schedule to become successful. That is not the case with the new schedule, at least for the #2 and #3 bus routes.
The following is a list of the main issues I would like you to consider regarding this Report since City Staff recommends keeping this schedule "for a significant period of time."
1) Deliberately changing a bus route 6 or 7 times a year without telling the passengers means the bus route is unreliable and it also shows a lack of respect towards transit users. (As per Email)
2) Transit routes are expected to have a fixed schedule to become successful. The new schedule has become so complicated, and changes so often, at least for the #2 and #3 bus routes, that a person cannot plan their trip ahead of time
3) Since the route changes so often, if we want to know where the bus is going, we are told to ask the driver when we board the bus, or look up the schedule ourselves or phone Burlington Transit. (We can’t look it up ourselves because it isn’t online or in the schedule and not everyone carries a cell phone. If you don’t know where your bus is going until you get on it, how can you schedule doctor’s appointments ahead of time? So far, I have to leave an extra hour earlier just in case of wait times.
4) When trying to plan a return trip in advance, it has been my experience that the driver has to phone dispatch while driving to find out whether or not the return trip will be seamless or require a transfer. They don’t know each others routes as they used to.
5) It’s not very helpful to know that the #2 North southbound becomes the #3 to continue downtown approximately 73% of the time. (As per Email)
6) The Report has a lot to say about the successes of 7 routes and the 407 but there’s an absence of information on the remaining 14 or so routes.
7) This report didn’t address the number of complaints passengers have made since the new schedule was implemented. There were about 300 complaints within the first month or two and we were told at the budget meeting of February 20 that more data was needed.
8) There was talk, at the Budget Meeting of February 20, of restoring service to Ontario Street. This too was not mentioned in this report. I interpret that as meaning their service will not be restored.
There is mention of passengers "adjusting their travel patterns." I believe that is happening. I’ve seen a lot more taxicabs in my neighbourhood now then in the 25 years I’ve lived here and I have no way of knowing how many people now take their cars.
Changing a bus schedule many times a year, on an irregular basis, without informing the users, is not reliable service.
The main thing I am requesting is to restore the #2 / #3 bus routes back to its interlined schedule in the North end of the routes for most of the day, while keeping the schedule that services the 407 Carpool during rush hour.
Susan Lewis
The e-mail I refer to says:
“We don’t publish these interlines as they can change 6-7 times a year for operating efficiencies. I do realize the convenience of staying on the same bus and have provided this information upon request but again have to let you know that when we look at schedule changes these trips are adjusted and are not dependable as scheduled information. On the weekends all the trips for the Route 2 and 3 are interlined with the exception of the first and last trips on the Saturday schedule. Weekday trips on the Route 2 south are approximately 73% of the time. The Route 3 weekday is interlined approximately 91% of the time, …”
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