201006 Transit MINThe Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg
Tillsonburg Transit Advisory Committee Meeting
October 6, 2020
10:00 a.m.
Hybrid Meeting- Council Chambers, 200 Broadway, Suite 204 & Electronic Meeting MINUTES
Present: Sherry Hamilton, Kathryn Leatherland, Councillor Luciani, Stephanie Ellens-
Clark
Staff: Alex Piggott, Transit Coordinator; Laura Pickersgill, Legislative Services
Coordinator
Regrets: Lynn Temoin, Cindy Allen
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 10:04 a.m. 2. Adoption of Agenda
Resolution #1 Moved by: Kathryn Leatherland
Seconded by: Councillor Luciani THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Tillsonburg Transit Advisory Committee
meeting of October 6, 2020, be adopted, as amended with the addition of item 6.10. Carried 3. Adoption of Previous Minutes
Resolution #2 Moved by: Councillor Luciani Seconded by: Kathryn Leatherland
THAT the Minutes as prepared for the Tillsonburg Transit Advisory Committee
meeting of September 1, 2020, be adopted.
Carried 4. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest declared. 5. General Business & Reports 6.1 Christmas Bus
Alex provided a summary of the draft report to Council in regards to the Christmas bus. The bus would run beginning November 28th on all Saturdays until Christmas.
The BIA and Voyago are willing to sponsor part of this additional service. The additional cost could be offset through available funds in the operating budget. Alex will add information regarding fares into the draft report. There will be advertising
wrap on the busses to promote the additional service. It was suggested that this wrap be more generic to use year after year.
Resolution #3
Moved by: Stephanie Ellens-Clark
Seconded by: Kathryn Leatherland THAT the Tillsonburg Transit Advisory Committee endorses the Saturday Christmas bus proposal.
Carried 6.2 Bus Decals
Alex will provide an update at the next meeting regarding decals that can be placed
on the bus letting the public know the bus is for public use. It was suggested that a slogan be developed for this.
6.3 Bus Stop Review Discussion
This item will be added to the next agenda for further review and discussion. There were concerns noted with lack of stop(s) on the northeast end of Town that is experiencing a lot of development. Alex noted that the ridership statistics provided through the new service provider shows each stop usage. It was noted that this
information will be critical in analyzing the stops. Alex noted that the ridership statistics may not be as accurate due to reduced ridership as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
6.4 Norfolk Mall Bus Stop
There were concerns noted with the location and safety of the Norfolk Mall Bus Stop. It was suggested to mitigate this issue that the stop could be moved under the
canopy of the old Walmart store at the Norfolk Mall, being that that part of the sidewalk will include regular snow removal in the winter. It was noted that the stop could potentially be under the Zehrs canopy. Alex will investigate these two options and provide an update at the next meeting.
6.5 Larger Bus Stop Signs
There were concerns noted that the existing bus stop signs are too small and not reflecting public usage. There were concerns brought up in the past that the signs
could not be bigger as this would not be permitted under the current signage by-law. Staff noted that a request could be made by way of report to Council to amend the signage by-law to allow for larger signs. It was suggested that the request include the use of common sizing rather than a custom size to ensure pricing would be
reasonable. It was mentioned that these signs couldn’t be replaced entirely but that they could be replaced as new stops are established and old stops are removed. It was suggested that a soft launch to promote the service, such as adding temporary
balloons, to bus stop signs could be done. 6.6 Moving hazardous stop (Simcoe St)
There were safety concerns noted regarding bus stop #24 at Simcoe Street and Tillson Avenue. It was suggested that a temporary solution be to move the sign up a few bus lengths along the road to reduce the potential for rear-ending the bus from
drivers turning the corner. Voyago has added ‘yield to bus signage’ on their
vehicles. It was suggested that adding “this bus makes frequent stops” onto the
busses exterior could be beneficial. Alex will review this idea further and bring this forward to the next meeting. 6.7 Multi-Service Centre Senior Bus Passes
Kathryn provided an update on the Multi-Service Centre Senior Bus Passes. The Multi-Service Centre was the successful recipient of provincial grant funding that is aimed at assisting seniors and adults with disabilities with food insecurity as a result
of the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund has allowed the Multi-Service Centre to subsidize the funds for the Meals on Wheels program and a grocery delivery
program. The Multi-Service Centre have partnered with the Helping Hand Food Bank, the Ministerial Association and T:GO to share those funds to purchase bus
passes for seniors and adults with disabilities that are financially unable to purchase so they can access a grocery store, pharmacy, etc. 6.8 Marketing Campaign
Alex noted that staff are currently working on a fall campaign with Norfolk County and Middlesex County to promote the safety measures put in place to build confidence in the service.
Laura will invite Colleen Pepper to the next meeting to discuss ideas for a fall
marketing campaign to promote the in-town bus service. 6.9 Ridership Statistics
Alex provided an overview of the ridership statistics. There was a discussion held on the lack of ridership on the Port Burwell route. Alex is working with the Municipality of Bayham to advertise this service in Port Burwell and noted there are bus passes available in Port Burwell for purchase. Kathryn will review this further to
see if there are better ways to promote this.
Lynn’s daughter uses the Langton route on Tuesdays and Fridays and thinks the service is great. 6.10 Committee Member Resignation
Resolution #4 Moved by: Kathryn Leatherland
Seconded by: Councillor Luciani THAT the Tillsonburg Transit Advisory Committee accepts the resignation of Committee Member, John Verbakel;
AND THAT the Tillsonburg Transit Advisory Committee acknowledges the member’s valuable contributions to the Committee. Carried
Staff will advertise this vacant seat under the Terms of Reference. 6. Round Table
None 7. Next Meeting
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
It was suggested that members take a look at the new bus during its stop out front of the Town Centre Mall before the next meeting. Alex will look into this further. 8. Adjournment
Resolution #5
Moved by: Councillor Luciani Seconded by: Stephanie Ellens-Clark
THAT the October 6, 2020 Tillsonburg Transit Advisory Committee meeting be adjourned at 11:17 a.m. Carried