300 Transit Users Ignored But 3 Non-Users Have Council Jumping

Burlington Transit has had hundreds of complaints from their customers about the route changes.  The response from the Mayor was "... we have to give people, who may have been inconvenienced somewhat, (time) to get used to the new changes."  

Some people completely lost the service they had depended on for years. Some we know of bought their house because of the proximity of transit. To refer to their plight as being “inconvenienced somewhat” and to be told they would get used a lower quality of life in time is insulting and heartless.  http://burlington.siretechnologies.com/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=234&doctype=AGENDA

Three people also did not like the changes (http://www.thespec.com/news-story/4756523-burlington-residents-lobby-for-buses-to-be-removed-from-street/), they wanted the bus taken off their street.  The City responded as follows: 

Notice of Public Meeting regarding Route 6 - Headon

Posted October 6, 2014

City Council has asked Burlington Transit ”to provide options for alternative service delivery models on Headon Forest Drive including bus stop locations, alternative vehicle use, alternative routing and impacts of these models.” Three route options are under consideration as shown below. You may provide feedback via our customer mailbox contactbt@burlington.ca under the heading "Route 6 - Headon Options" and/or attend an upcoming Public Meeting:

Public Meeting on Route 6 - Headon Options
October 21 and 23, 2014
Tansley Woods Community Centre
1996 Itabashi Way
6 - 9 p.m.

Presentations followed by facilitated discussions will take place at: 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. both evenings.

 Three route options are under consideration:

 

Option 1 (shown above)

• Removes service from Headon Forest Dr.
• Removes service to Notre Dame High School
• Decreases frequency of service on the route due to longer driving distance which will affect connections at GO carpool lot

Option 2 (shown above)

• Maintains service to Notre Dame High School
• Decreases frequency of service on the route due to longer driving distance which will affect connections at GO carpool lot
• Re-instates bus service along Pinemeadow Drive

 

Option 3 (shown above)

• Maintains the current route structure
• No change to the route

http://cms.burlington.ca/Page14658.aspx


Background:
Burlington Transit drastically changed the bus routes last Nov., with almost no notice and they did not accept any input from the public. ("Visit Burlington Transit’s community information booth at Burlington Mall, 777 Guelph Line on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 8, from noon to 3 p.m. Transit staff will be there to provide information and answer questions about the service plan." http://cms.burlington.ca/Page11773.aspx)  No input wanted.

Before Nov, 2012, ridership was improving.  "Burlington Transit has seen ridership growth following changes to routes 2, 3, 10 and most notably on the QEW employment corridor (Routes 80/81) where there has been a 31 per cent increase in ridership. Burlington Transit also introduced a Route 101 Express on the Plains Road corridor, which is showing a steady ridership growth of 5 per cent."  http://cms.burlington.ca/Page11773.aspx 

After November 3, the Route 2 / 3 ridership was down 20% in the first 5 months.  Although the Transit Report Card was referred to as 6 months I have reason to believe it actually covered 5 months. http://burlington.siretechnologies.com/sirepub/cache/2/qusqaq4ezoiuxawdufffzwsh/1378010062014074123216.PDF

.

Burlington Transit introduced an interim service plan and implemented phase one with service changes in September 2012. Service enhancements were further introduced in June 2013 during phase two, based on a council-approved budget increase which allowed for extended service hours and schedule frequencies.

Burlington, Ont. — Aug. 29, 2013 – Burlington Transit will be making some service changes this November as part of the final phase of its interim service plan.http://cms.burlington.ca/Page11773.aspx