Staff Report #7
October 31, 2018
To All Commissioners
Re: 2018 Work Program – Planning – Third Quarter Update
Recommendation
The report be NOTED and FILED.
Background
The following report is provided as an update on major Planning projects as set out in the 2018 Work Program that are ongoing in nature and/or were scheduled to commence and/or be completed over the first nine months of 2018, with the lead on same being the primary responsibility of the Planning department
2018 Conventional Service Plan
The 2018 conventional service plan impacted approximately 35,000 service hours of which approximately 17,500 were added to the system. At the September meeting the Commission was provided an update on the implementation of the 2018 changes. (see Staff Report #3, dated September 26, 2018). Detailed assessment of the impacts of the 2018 Service Plan will be included in the final recommended 2019 service plan report, scheduled to be tabled at the January 2019 meeting.
2018 Shelter Program
At the April 25, 2018 meeting the Commission approved ten warranted shelter locations for 2018. The 2018 shelter program is larger than most years due to the removal of bus service from Dundas between Ridout and Wellington, resulting in nine additional locations for shelter installations as part of the 2018 program. Due to encroachment agreements not being reached at a number of the original locations, the Commission approved nine additional shelter locations at the August 29, 2018 meeting.
The shelter contractor has recently indicated that they are experiencing manufacturing delays, and as a result, the 2018 shelter program is not anticipated to be completed until the end of January 2019, noting that all concrete work has been completed and all locations are ready for shelters installation once manufacturing is complete.
Industrial Service Strategy
An update on the Industrial Service Strategy was presented to the Commission at the September 26, 2018 meeting (see staff report #2). Administration is preparing an Expression of Interest for any interested third party service providers to deliver a Dial-a-Ride/Transcab service including consideration of the manner in which payment and/or transfers will be handled.
Further analysis of the Route 28 modification to serve the Exeter/White Oaks Area as well as the possible implementation of an Industrial Tripper in the Wilton Grove area is set out in the Draft 2019 Service Plan report (see Staff Report #1, dated October 31, 2018).
Voice of the Customer
The fourth wave of the Voice of the Customer survey is scheduled to be completed by mid-November. Administration is currently working with TransPro Consulting to finalize the survey questions and survey methodology. A report on the results will be presented to the Commission at the January 2019 meeting.
King Street Cycling Facilities
At the Municipal Council meeting on October 2, 2018, it was resolved that the King Street Cycling facility on the south side of King Street, separated by parking and transit islands be implemented in 2019.
The approved design will see transit platforms in the parking lane on the south side of King Street to allow passengers to be able to wait for and board the bus, which will operate in the southern most through lane.
Details with respect to relocation or removal of some bus stops along King Street will require further discussions with civic administration to ensure that existing transfers and Operator washroom facilities will continue to remain effective.
The following provides a graphic image of the concept that will be implemented on King Street in 2019.
As depicted in the diagram, the cycling facilities will be directly adjacent to the sidewalk and separated from a transit island/parking lane, which will be directly adjacent to two lanes of vehicle traffic. Buses will operate in the lane directly adjacent to the transit island/parking lane. In order to provide for accessible transit stops, transit islands will need to be built in the parking lane at the transit stops. These islands will be utilized to deploy the ramp and/or kneel the bus to provide for level boarding as required. During discussions with civic administration regarding this option, a number of operational concerns were raised, which will require further discussion prior to implementation. The issues include the following:
- potential transit rider/cyclist conflict due to transit riders having to cross the cycle lane to access the transit islands
- confusion for Operators whether people in/around the bus stop are waiting for the bus given the distance between the bus and sidewalk, noting that some of the busy locations (i.e. King and Richmond) will not have enough space for all passengers to wait on the transit island
- accessibility concerns especially in the winter with the sidewalk, bike lane and transit island all needing to be cleared of snow to allow a clear path of travel for passengers with mobility aids
Given the aforementioned and significant safety concerns, a comprehensive communication program will need to be prepared and delivered well in advance of the implementation of the new cycling facilities.
Updates on the progress of the King Street cycling facilities will be provided to the Commission in future reports as details are available.
Recommended by:
Katie Burns, Director of Planning
Concurred in by:
Kelly S. Paleczny, General Manager