200901 Transit MINThe Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg
Tillsonburg Transit Advisory Committee
September 1, 2020
11:00 a.m.
MINUTES
Present: Sherry Hamilton, Cindy Allen, Kathryn Leatherland, Stephanie Ellens-Clark,
Councillor Luciani
Staff: Alex Piggott, Transit Coordinator; Laura Pickersgill, Legislative Services
Coordinator
Regrets: Lynn Temoin, John Verbakel
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 11:02 a.m. 2. Adoption of Agenda
Resolution#1 Moved by: Cindy Allen
Seconded by: Councillor Luciani THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Tillsonburg Transit Advisory Committee
meeting of September 1, 2020, be adopted. Carried 3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
Resolution #2 Moved by: Councillor Luciani Seconded by: Cindy Allen
THAT the Minutes of the Tillsonburg Transit Advisory Committee meeting dated
February 18, 2020, be approved. Carried
Stephanie Ellens-Clark introduced herself to the Committee.
4. Closed Session Resolution #3 Moved by: Stephanie Ellens-Clark
Seconded by: Kathryn Leatherland THAT the Tillsonburg Transit Advisory Committee move into closed session to
discuss: -proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the Town
Carried 5. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest declared. 6. General Business & Reports 6.1 Update on Transit Services
Alex noted that the new service provider for in-town service launched July 1st and
the inter-community transit service launched August 4th. There are a variety of COVID-19 safety measures in place on the transit system including: mandatory face coverings, Plexiglas barriers between the driver and passengers, reduced
touchpoints between the driver and passengers, regularly scheduled cleaning, staggered seating, hand sanitizer availability and additional masks are available. It was noted that the Town needs to continue promoting these safety guidelines to riders so that the drivers are not forced to police the regulations themselves. It was
also noted that face shields are not an adequate replacement for facial coverings. 6.2 In Town Bus Designs
A floor plan of the new bus was reviewed by the Committee. Alex noted that the
current bus in use is an interim bus and that the new bus is estimated to be ready for use in October. The features of the bus were discussed, including its ability to move its’ entrance ramp level with the curb height. Alex noted that the accessibility features of the bus will be promoted through the Town’s advertising materials and
that comments on further accessibility needs could be acquired through the customer service survey.
Staff noted that as part of the public works department sidewalk improvement plan
they are considering the inclusion of cement pad infrastructure moving forward at the
bus stop locations. Alex also indicated that the ramps on the bus will have some ability to traverse over the grassy areas so that riders using assistive devices will not have to travel on the unsteady surface of the grass.
A discussion was held regarding a greater need for additional bus stops in the north east end of Town as a result of the increasing development in that area. 6.3 Inter-Community Bus Designs
It was noted that there are sheets hung up in the bus window that informs riders
what route that bus is currently on so that riders can ensure they are boarding the correct bus.
6.4 Inter-Community Transit Brochure
Alex will continue visiting and contacting retail vendors weekly to ensure their stock of passes and brochures remains filled. Alex will continue to follow up with Norfolk
County to ensure that their transit drivers are aware of the routes that the Town’s drivers are running so that both parties can inform their passengers of the
neighbouring municipalities’ routes and schedules. 6.5 T:GO Ridership Trends
Alex provided a summary of the T:GO ridership trends.. The effects of COVID-19 on ridership is very notable in the spring months when the COVID pandemic began to increase. The new service provider, Voyago, is collecting more detailed statistics
regarding the transit service which will assist in future decision making on
improvements to stopping locations, for example.
6.6 Inter-Community Transit Trends
Alex provided a summary of the transit trends for August 4th until August 21st under
the new program. It was noted that there is no ridership yet on route two but staff are working with the Multi-Service to increase ridership on this route. It was noted that ridership may increase once hospitals permit patient visiting again and when more people resume regular appointments at hospitals as the COVID-19 pandemic
eases.
Alex will reach out to the service provider regarding the potential of having passes sold directly on the busses.
Cindy left the meeting at 12:05 p.m. Alex noted that he is willing to ride the bus with first-time users to ensure they
understand how the system works. Support workers for riders can ride the bus for free when assisting their clients. Alex indicated that he is working with a local company that could potentially develop a professional quality YouTube video of a
‘local celebrity’ using the transit system that could be shared as an informational
video on the Town’s social media pages. Alex noted that an information video was
posted on the T:GO’s Facebook page from the Oxford County Community Health Centre. 6.7 Intercommunity Poster
Alex noted that an updated poster with the anticipated start date removed and an inter-community transit branded logo will be produced and circulated in the community.
6.8 Advertising Policy
The advertising policy was approved by Council at the July 13 meeting. It was suggested that the bus routes and colour coordinated maps be placed inside the
busses on the empty wall space above the seats on the interior of the bus. Alex mentioned that this should have already been happening but will follow up on this with the service provider. 6.9 Publicity Opportunities at Tillsonburg Public Library
Sherry will reach out to Merley Wheaton from the Tillsonburg Public Library to discuss further opportunities for advertising the transit system at the library.
6.10 Northern Oxford County Transit Proposal
Resolution #4 Moved by: Councillor Luciani
Seconded by: Kathryn Leatherland THAT the Tillsonburg Transit Advisory Committee supports the decision to expand the Oxford County Transit Proposal to northern Oxford County.
Carried
(Note: procedurally, the committee is required to make a recommendation for Council’s consideration. A staff report will be prepared for this recommendation for the September 14th Council meeting.)
6.11 Customer Feedback Survey This item will be added to a future agenda for discussion. 6.12 GPS App- Voyago
Staff are reviewing this application and various other applications to determine if there is value to purchasing this app. It was noted that it is important to provide an avenue for informing riders of any delays, etc. Riders are able to contact the
dispatch line to provide delay information. 6.13 Additional Bus Stops
6.14 Welcome Wagon Info Package
Alex will follow up to ensure transit information is included in new resident packages. 7. Next Meeting
Tuesday, October 20 at 10:00 a.m.
8. Adjournment
Resolution #5
Moved by: Stephanie Ellens-Clark Seconded by: Councillor Luciani THAT the September 1, 2020 Tillsonburg Transit Advisory Committee meeting be adjourned at 12:57 p.m.
Carried