Integrated Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting

Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Virtual

Nick Morrison, Thomas Hayes, Ian Catton, Andrea Grebenc, Irene MacDonald, Alex Andrenkov, Jon Millman (BCC), Tim Park (SDC), Peter Buckley (BSAC)

Councillor Shawna Stolte, Stephanie Fountain (Transportation Planning Technologist), Tony Zhuang (Supervisor of Transit Planning and Service Design), Lisa Palermo (Clerk)

Deferred to next meeting.

Stephanie provided an update:

  • Integrated Mobility Plan continues to be developed along with the implementation plan.
  • Stay tuned for more information to be relayed at a Council Workshop meeting in June.
  • Deadline to comment about the Major Transit Station Areas (MTSA) ended on March 24th and staff are reviewing comments received

Thomas enquired about GO transit announcement regarding connection of Hamilton to Waterloo. It was confirmed that there is a stop in Aldershot.

Members enquired about transportation alternatives for the new Bateman facility.  Stephanie will bring back an update at the next meeting.

Stephanie provided an update:

  • Discussions regarding Smart Commute initiative have commenced between Burlington and 4 regional municipalities.
  • Staff is collaborating with BurlingtonGreen for an Earth day initiative on April 22 on the beachway trail near BG headquarters.
  • Staff is planning for bike month activities in June.
  • Staff is providing feedback to Metrolinx on future upgrades to Go stations.

7.5

 

Nick enquired about any future route changes.  Staff relayed that Burlington Transit (BT) was in the process of hiring drivers as there is currently a shortage.  Once driver complement increases, increase in bus frequency will be introduced.

Staff relayed that they are currently looking at ridership projections for the Bateman facility.

Alex enquired about the on-demand transit service that was being piloted. Staff relayed that the project is delayed due to challenges with staffing and technology.

Andrea commented that bus times do not coincide with secondary school bell times.  Specifically M.M. Robinson where public transit gets students to school 5 minutes after the bell.  Staff will bring the feedback to BT to compare bus times and school bell times.

Members discussed transit buses speeding in school zones.  As public servants, they set an example for the public.

Thomas asked about passenger safety on BT given recent situations in the GTA.  Staff relayed that at this time there were no concerns to report and field supervisors continue to work closely with drivers to support and create safe public transit.

Members enquired about free transit. Members support free public transit and are pleased to hear that youth are being offered free transit in off peak times (evenings and weekends), with the intention of expanding this to free overall. Councillor Stolte added that there are members of Council that would also like to see free transit expanded.  Staff relayed that as bus capacity increases, they can consider increasing free options for riders.  

Andrea suggested collaborating with school boards and student eco teams to promote free transit options for youth, and Nick suggested going into schools to issue presto cards rather than have students go to third party vendors or the bus terminal for a card.   It was also suggested that the $6.00 fee be waived as this could be a deterrent to some youth.

Committee members expressed an interest in a hybrid model for the April ITAC meeting.

Motion:  Approve the 2023 Workplan for the Integrated Transportation Advisory Committee.  Approved by email vote.

Members are encouraged to tune into a Special Council Workshop regarding complete communities on March 30, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.  Go to burlington.ca/meetings to watch the livestream or archived video following the meeting.

New committee members will receive an email to complete the first part of volunteer training online via Better Impact.  Clerks department staff will be sending all new members an invite to attend instructor led training.

Chair adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.

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