Collingwood Council is considering the proposed expansion of the Colltrans bus service. Council received a Colltrans - Transit Review staff report prepared by Ed Houghton, Executive Director, Collingwood Public Works, on March 21, 2011. The report asked that council approve the following recommendations:

1. A new bus be purchased this year and it be a priority to commence planning for the purchase of additional buses in order to maintain and augment the existing service levels within the Town.
2. Colltrans riders in 3 wheel scooters be required to switch to a stationary seat. Riders in 4 wheel scooters must be secured at all 5 points.
3. Defer the implementation of automatic announcing systems on the buses.
4. Council to advise staff on development of a policy for donation of bus passes.
5. Council direct staff to proceed with planning for future route expansion.
6. Council provide direction on hours of service as outlined in Appendix 'A'
7. Council provide direction as for the 2011 Fare Schedule as outlined in Appendix 'A'

The Town of Collingwood introduced three new Low Floor fully accessible buses and three new routes within Town in August, 2007. At that time, Colltrans ridership totalled 63,000 riders per year. Three years later, ridership jumped to over 143,000 riders annually. Colltrans has also increased its levels of service by extending hours earlier in the morning and later in the evening. In addition, a monthly pass option was introduced.

In his report, Houghton stated that the increased levels of service have been critical in increasing ridership. "However, it is evident that the Colltrans buses have been experiencing a significant amount of downtime due to repairs. Last September, the Town buses entered their fourth year of service and attained over 200,000 km. Repairs and downtime associated with them, have contributed to additional costs to the Town, including the rental of a spare bus from Sinton Transportation and major engine repairs."

Houghton's report stated that spare buses covered routes throughout the summer months while all three town buses were repainted as a part of warranty coverage. In addition, these buses have undergone full body work and paint, and have been back in regular service since mid-November, 2010.

"In addition to the extended hours of service, which was brought to Council as a public request in 2009, many requests for route extensions and new destinations have also been strongly requested. With the addition of South Collingwood in 2007, many homes are now being built in this area and with Georgian Meadows building out its sixth phase in 2011, there will be over 400 residential units developed. Currently, Georgian Meadows is the most requested area for new service in Collingwood, and planning for future transit routes must be considered."

The staff report detailed other community bus service routes, and the number of buses in service:

Orillia: 5 Routes/8Buses
Owen Sound: 4 Routes/6 Buses
St. Thomas: 5 Routes/11 Buses
Stratford: 6 Routes/15 Buses
Woodstock: 6 Routes/10 Buses

Budget Considerations:
Continuing to operate three buses will increase the wear on our fleet, and therefore increate maintenance costs. From 2009 to the present, major maintenance expenses have reached $40,000. While the vehicles are being repaired, we pay a premium to use a spare bus which, in 2010, added an additional $20,000 to operating costs.

A new spare bus costing $450,000 will allow the operator to rotate buses for extended maintenance, as well as use our own buses while one is temporarily out of service. The availability of approximately $500,000 is available from Federal Gas Tax for this purchase.

Recommendation:
It is the recommendation of staff that a new bus be purchased this year and it be a priority to commence planning for the purchase of additional buses in order to maintain and augment the existing service levels within the Town.

Councilor Rick Lloyd put forth a motion to defer discussion on Colltrans to the March 24th budget meeting. The motion was passed.