170911 Transit Pilot Committee MIN•
Community Transportation Pilot Program Steering Committee (Tillsonburg)
Meeting Notes
September 11, 2017
Minutes Taker: Deb Clarke Time: 10:30 -11 :30am
PRESENT: Cathy Hudson, Chief Executive Officer, Community Living
Tillsonburg; Carolijn Verbakel, Social Planning Council
Oxford, John Preston, Community Transportation Coordinator, Geoff
Reekie, Executive Director Multi-Service Centre; David Calder, CAO,
Town of Tillsonburg.
REGRETS: John Verbakel, Brian Stephenson, Councilor, Town of Tillsonburg
Welcome: Carolijn Verbakel
Review and adoption of minutes from previous meeting and business arising:
• The minutes of August 14, 2017 were reviewed and adopted.
Ridership and budget report: -John Preston
John reviewed and explained the ridership and budget report to the committee.
• Summary:
• There was a increase of 14% from July as expected.
o September -we are taking 3 students and the number will increase during
the winter season.
o 30 rides per month, the number should jump up to 40 in November and
December.
o General public has increased to 44%, Senior riders have decreased, there
were more women riders this time.
• Mall wait time is higher, potential riders found other options.
Financial:
Expenses:
• July & August bus was in for repairs a few times.
• Expenses fall under anticipated budget for this time.
• Revenues:
• Total Pass/Cash sales -Slight increase from July; June had the highest sales
• Janelle from the Town of Tillsonburg advised that the Trillium Funding will be
coming in next month in the full amount.
Discussion: Pros and Cons of contracting out bus service
Ride Norfolk contracts out their buses with Donnelly Transit from St. Thomas. Brad
Smith gave a good review of this company.
• Possible Contractors:
• Langs Bus Lines
• Sharp Bus Lines
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• Elgie Bus Lines
• Voyageur
• Badder Bus Lines
• 2554684 Ontario Ltd. (Donnelly Transit) (St. Thomas)
• Why Wait Taxi
• KTN
• Woodstock Transit
Program Plan:
Advantages:
o significantly less costly to contract it out than to operate the bus themselves.
o The majority of communities are being contracted out through the municipalities.
o Minimal employee cost.
o No training, the employees already come trained.
o T:GO bus could be used or phased out.
o Possibility of providing out-of-town service through contractor.
o The availability of bus if there is a break down, the most time out of service would
be 45 minutes until another bus arrives.
o We are supporting business as well by being part of the program.
Disadvantages:
o It could be an ongoing tendering process.
o We would lose control of the hiring process
Risks:
o Funding shortfall
o Contractor Default
o RFP may result in higher cost
o The committee will need to decide what they would like to do and make a
recommendation to the counsel. The committee chair will recommend a RFP for
bus lines at the October 10th counsel meeting. John P will work with John V to
prepare for the meeting.
o We have extended funding until March 31, 2018.
o We could have other businesses such as BIA, Chamber of Commerce etc ... If
we want them to be a part of T:GO. The Multi-Service Centre and Community
Living Tillson burg can not only focus on T:GO with their fund raising dollars.
o Direction:
o Preparation for presentation to Council as prelude to municipal budget
planning.
Updates:
o Geoff and John P put an application through to Trillium.
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o ONGOING: How to appropriate is our bus going forward? Can it handle the
volume? Can is safely take on frail seniors? What is its lifespan? ... and lots of
other questions to discuss ... -Deferred
o ONGOING: Discussion: Structure and Management of T:GO post March
31, 2017 ... new board members? Who?
o Mike Cerna is on the accessibility board and has a lot of great ideas for
o T:GO, John P. will continue to work with Mike.
o If we have a need for accessibility, we need to have the number
reflected on the stats. John P has only referred one person to the
Stonebridge transportation program.
Other business
o David shared and reviewed the Public Transit surveys stats with the committee.
o John P. advised that we were approved for the Gas Tax for $54,000.00.
o Geoff will be on Rogers once a month and will have John P with him in October
to discuss T:GO so people are aware of the service.
Next meeting: Monday, October 2, 2017 (10:00 -11 :30am).
Adjournment
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