Appendix C - Findings Report - Ajax TDM

Town of Ajax Transportation Demand Management Plan
Appendix C: Public Survey Findings
APPENDIX C
Public Survey Findings

TOWN OF AJAX
TRANSPORTATION DEMAND
MANAGEMENT PLAN
June 2015
Public Survey Findings
Report
Prepared by Lura Consulting, with Hatch Mott
MacDonald and Paradigm Transportation Solutions for
the Town of Ajax

Table of Contents
1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Objective .......................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Methodology .................................................................................................................................1
2 Audience.....................................................................................................................................1
2.1 Type of Residence Participants Report Living In..............................................................................2
2.2 Reported Number of People Living in Households..........................................................................3
2.3 Number of Personal Vehicles Reported Per Household ..................................................................4
2.4 Reported Purpose of Traveling Within Ajax....................................................................................5
2.5 Student Participants.......................................................................................................................6
2.6 Where Students Attend School ......................................................................................................6
3 Workplace Characteristics...........................................................................................................7
3.1 Reported Work Location (Work Most Often)..................................................................................7
3.2 Ability to Telecommute for Work...................................................................................................8
3.3 Frequency of Telecommuting.........................................................................................................8
3.4 Barriers to Telecommuting.............................................................................................................9
3.5 Barriers to More Frequent Telecommuting ....................................................................................9
3.6 Ability to Work Flexible Hours......................................................................................................10
3.7 Frequency of Working Flexible Hours...........................................................................................10
3.8 Barriers to Working Flexible Hours...............................................................................................11
3.9 Barriers to Working Flexible Hours More Frequently....................................................................11
4 Travel Modes ............................................................................................................................12
4.1 Reported Modes of Transportation to Get Around Ajax ...............................................................12
5 Daily Commute..........................................................................................................................14
5.1 Days Per Week Travelled to Work or School.................................................................................14
5.2 Modes of Transportation Used for Daily Travel ............................................................................15
5.3 Time Spent on Daily Commute.....................................................................................................16
5.4 Satisfaction with Daily Commute..................................................................................................17
5.5 Benefits of Reduced Commute Time ............................................................................................18
5.6 Benefits of Reducing Single-Occupant Vehicle Travel ...................................................................19
6 Walking.....................................................................................................................................20

6.1 Frequency of Walking as Mode of Transportation........................................................................20
6.2 Barriers to Walking ......................................................................................................................20
6.3 Motivators to Walk More Frequently...........................................................................................21
6.4 Benefits of Walking......................................................................................................................22
7 Cycling.......................................................................................................................................23
7.1 Frequency of Cycling As Mode of Transportation .........................................................................23
7.2 Barriers to Cycling........................................................................................................................23
7.3 Motivators to Cycle More Frequently...........................................................................................24
7.4 Benefits of Cycling .......................................................................................................................25
8 Public Transit.............................................................................................................................26
8.1 Use of Transit Passes....................................................................................................................26
8.2 Frequency of Riding Public Transit ...............................................................................................27
8.3 Barriers to Riding Public Transit ...................................................................................................28
8.4 Motivators to Take Public Transit More Frequently......................................................................29
8.5 Benefits of Taking Public Transit...................................................................................................30
9 Carpooling.................................................................................................................................31
9.1 Frequency of Carpooling..............................................................................................................31
9.2 Barriers to Carpooling..................................................................................................................32
9.3 Motivators to Carpool More Frequently.......................................................................................33
9.4 Benefits of Carpooling..................................................................................................................34
10 Summary of Key Findings..........................................................................................................35

Prepared by Lura Consulting with Hatch Mott MacDonald and Paradigm Transportation Solutions 1
1 Introduction
1.1 Objective
The Town of Ajax is developing a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan to help alleviate
traffic congestion and encourage the use of more sustainable travel modes than the single-occupant
automobile that makes sense for the people that live and work in Ajax. This public survey is an
important part of developing the TDM plan. The purpose of the public survey was five-fold:
1. Understand travel behaviours, motivations, and mode choices both during and outside of peak
commute hours;
2. Gage perceptions related to both traffic congestion and public transport services in Ajax;
3. Gage willingness or acceptance of modifying travel behaviours, walking, cycling, taking transit,
and carpooling;
4. Identify barriers to sustainable transportation options; and
5. Understand incentives and motivators to sustainable transportation options.
The survey findings will help shape the development of the TDM Plan and future initiatives to provide
more travel choices and help alleviate traffic.
1.2 Methodology
The Town of Ajax online Transportation Demand Management Survey was available to the public online
and in-person from July 23, 2014 to October 10, 2014. All residents from the Town of Ajax were
encouraged to complete the survey. Residents who complete the survey were entered into a prize draw
for a chance to win a $500 gift card from a choice of selected retailers.
The survey was well promoted throughout the Town by posting on the Town of Ajax website, Facebook
page and Twitter feed, sharing though Town email lists, distributing posters in highly visible areas
(municipal facilities, GO station, community hubs) and distributing post cards with the survey link at
community events (Summer in the Square, Taste of Ajax) and municipal facilities (Ajax community and
recreation centres, Ajax GO Station, public parks and outdoor spaces).
The Town of Ajax has a population of 109,600 (2011). A total of 396 surveys were completed, providing
a statistical accuracy of +/-5%, 19 times out of 20. Surveys were analysed to identify current travel
behaviours and identify common barriers to sustainable transportation options. The following sections
provide a summary of the key findings.
2 Audience
During the survey period, a total of 396 participants completed the online survey. A summary of the
respondents’ demographic information is captured in the following tables.

Table 1: Participation by Age Group Table 2: Participation by Gender
AGE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE GENDER FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE
Less than 10 0 0% Male 193 53%
11-15 0 0% Female 171 47%
16-25 35 10%
26-45 177 48%
46-64 130 35%
65 & older 25 7%
Total (n=396) 100%
2.1 Type of Residence Participants Report Living In
Figure 1: Respondent Residence Type (n=396)
Highlights
· More than 70% of the residents report living in a detached house.
· Approximately 20% of respondents indicated they live in an attached/townhouse style home.
· Approximately 6% of residents report living in an apartment or condominium.
· Around 1% of respondents chose ‘other’, outlining that they rent a room in a detached house or
live in a link detached house.
72%
11%
10%
6%
1%
Detached house
Semi-detached house
Townhouse
Apartment/condo
Other, please specify

2.2 Reported Number of People Living in Households
Figure 2: Number of Household Residents (n=368)
Highlights
· 78% of respondents report they live in a household with 2, 3 or 4 residents.
· Approximately 6% of respondents indicated they live alone.
· 17% of respondents indicated they live in a house with 5 or more residents.
6%
27%
25%
25%
17%
1 Resident
2 Residents
3 Residents
4 Residents
5+ Residents

2.3 Number of Personal Vehicles Reported Per Household
Figure 3: Respondents Vehicle Availability (n=363)
Highlights
· More than half (53%) of respondents report having 2 vehicles available for personal use.
· Approximately 17% of respondents indicated they have 3 or more vehicles.
· 28% of respondents have 1 vehicle.
· Approximately 2% of respondents do not have a vehicle available for personal use.
2%
28%
53%
12%
5%
0 Vehicles
1 Vehicle
2 Vehicles
3 Vehicles
4+ Vehicles

2.4 Reported Purpose of Traveling Within Ajax
Figure 4: Purpose of Traveling Within Ajax (n=392)
Highlights
· 91% of the participants report living in Ajax.
· Approximately 16% of respondents indicated they work or go to school in Ajax.
· Approximately 51% of the respondents shop and/or uses services in Ajax.
· More than half (51%) of respondents outlined that they spend leisure time in Ajax.
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
Live in Ajax Work or go to
school in Ajax
Shop or use services
(e.g. doctors office,
dry cleaning, etc.) in
Ajax
Spend leisure or
recreation time in
Ajax
357
63
200 198

2.5 Student Participants
Highlights
· 16% of respondents report that they are
students.
· 84% of respondents are not students.
Figure 14: Student Participants (n=390)
2.6 Where Students Attend School
Figure 15: School Location (n=64)
Highlights
· Most students surveyed (44%) attend school outside of Durham Region but within the GTA.
· 20% of Students go to school outside of the GTA.
· 22% of participants attend school within Durham Region and 6% within Ajax.
· 8% of participants study at home or online
At home / online
8%
Within Ajax
6%
Outside of Ajax,
but within
Durham Region
22%
Outside of Durham
Region, but within
GTA
44%
Outside of the
Greater Toronto
Area
20%
Not a
student
84%
Student
16%

3 Workplace Characteristics
3.1 Reported Work Location (Work Most Often)
Figure 5: Where Participants Work (n=394)
Highlights
· 6% of respondents work at home. Factoring out those that do not work, 7% of respondents that
work, work from home.
· Considering only those that travel to work (factoring out those that work from home and those
that do not work), 20% of respondents travel to work within Ajax and 34% travel to work within
Durham Region (including Ajax).
· Almost half (49%) of respondents work outside of Durham Region, but within the Greater
Toronto Area (GTA), with an additional 4% working outside of the GTA. Factoring out those that
do not work, 61% of respondents work outside of Durham Region (56% within the GTA).
6%
16%
12%
49%
4%
13% At home
Within Ajax
Outside of Ajax, but within
Durham Region
Outside of Durham Region,
but within the Greater
Toronto Area
Outside of the Greater
Toronto Area
Not applicable - Do not work

Yes, 32%
No, 68%
3.2 Ability to Telecommute for Work
Highlights
· 32% of the participants
surveyed have the option to
telecommute.
· 68% of the participants
surveyed do not have the option
to telecommute.
Figure 6: Option to Telecommute (n=342)
3.3 Frequency of Telecommuting
Figure 7: Telecommuter Frequency (n=107)
Highlights
· 13% of the participants that are able to telecommute do so most of the time (4-5 days per
week).
· 27% of telecommuters do so frequently (1-3 days per week).
· 32% of the participants that are able to telecommute do so occasionally (1-4 days a month).
· 25% of respondents that are able to telecommute do so rarely (about once a month).
13%
27%
32%
25%
3%
Always/most of the time (4 - 5
days per week)
Frequently (1 – 3 days per
week)
Occasionally (1 – 4 days per
month)
Rarely (about 1 day per
month or less)
Never

3.4 Barriers to Telecommuting
Highlights
· Of the respondents
that do not have the
option to telecommute,
55% are unable to do so
because onsite work is an
essential component of
their job and 47% are
unable to do so because
telecommuting is not
permitted at their place of
employment.
Figure 8: Telecommuting Barriers (n=230)
3.5 Barriers to More Frequent Telecommuting
Figure 9: Telecommuting Barriers (n=75)
Highlights
· Of the respondents that have the option to telecommute, half (50%) are unable to do so more
frequently because onsite work is an essential component of their job.
· 56% of respondents choose to go in to work because they prefer to interact with people in-
person (31%) and they are more productive when working onsite (25%).
46
29
8
23
9
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Onsite work
essential
component of
my job
Prefer to
interact with
people in-
person
Prefer to go
into work
More
productive
working onsite
Other
108
127
20 16 18 17
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Not
permitted at
my place of
employment
Onsite work
essential
component
of my job
Prefer to
interact with
people in-
person
Prefer to go
into work
More
productive
working
onsite
Other

Yes, 45%
No, 55%
3.6 Ability to Work Flexible Hours
Highlights
· Approximately 45% of
participants are able to work flexible
hours, while 55% are not.
Figure 10: Option to Work Flexible Hours (n=340)
3.7 Frequency of Working Flexible Hours
Figure 11: Frequency of Flexible Hours (n=152)
Highlights
· Of the respondents that are able to work flexible hours, approximately 58% regularly do so:
o 39% work flexible hours 4-5 days per week
o 19% work flexible hours 1-3 days per week
· Of the participants that are able to work flexible hours, 27% occasionally work flexible hours (1-
4 days per month) and 10% rarely work flexible hours (1 day or less per month).
· 5% of participants never work flexible hours even though they are able to do so.
39%
19%
27%
10%
5%
Always/most of the time (4 to
5 days per week)
Frequently (1 – 3 days per
week)
Occasionally(1 – 4 days per
month)
Rarely (about 1 day per month
or less)
Never

3.8 Barriers to Working Flexible Hours
Figure 12: Barriers to Working Flexible Hours (n=187)
Highlights
· Of the respondents that are unable to work flexible hours, more than half outlined that they
cannot work flexible hours because they need to be at work during specific times (54%) and
because flexible hours are not permitted at their place of employment (51%).
3.9 Barriers to Working Flexible Hours More Frequently
Highlights
· Of the respondents that
are able to work flexible
hours, 42% outlined that they
are unable to work flexible
hours more frequently
because they need to be at
work during specific times and
39% outlined that their work
schedule fits well with their
personal schedule.
Figure 13: Barriers to Working Flexible Hours (n=87)
96
102
41
16
5
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Not permitted
at my place of
employment
Need to be at
work during
specific times
Part of team
that has to be at
workplace at
the same time
Work schedule
fits well with
personal/family
schedule
Other
39
20
36
10
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Need to be at
work during
specific times
Part of team that
has to be at
workplace at the
same time
Work schedule
fits well with
personal/family
schedule
Other

4 Travel Modes
4.1 Reported Modes of Transportation to Get Around Ajax
Figure 16: Modes of Transportation (n=392)
2% 1% 2% 1%
5% 4%
44%
20%
9% 8%
1%
13%
1%
8%
37%
38%
20%
12%
7%
21%
1% 1%
12%
10%
28%
27%
21%
13%
26%
4% 2%
12%
4%14%
43%
58%
79%
36%
94%
97%
65%
6%
Walk Bicycle Durham Region
Transit system
Other local
municipal transit
systems
GO Transit Company
carpool/shuttle
program
Other organized
carpool program
Informal
carpooling
Drive vehicle by
yourself
Always Frequently Occasionally Rarely Never

Highlights
· The single occupant vehicle is a common form of transportation in Ajax among participants with
44% always driving alone and 37% frequently driving alone.
o Only 6% never drive by themselves.
· When comparing walking and cycling as modes of transportation, respondents generally walk
more than they cycle:
o 59% of respondents outlined that they occasionally (37%), frequently (20%) or always
walk (1.5%); and
o 30% of respondents outlined that they occasionally (20%), frequently (9%) or always
(0.8%) cycle.
· The majority of participants do not use Durham Region Transit (DRT) or local municipal transit
when travelling around Ajax:
o 79% of participants rarely (21%) or never (58%) use Durham Region Transit; and
o 92% rarely (13%) or never use other local municipal transit (79%).
· GO Transit is the most commonly used public transportation system in Ajax among respondents
with 13% identifying as frequent users, 21% occasional users and 26% rare users.
· Carpooling is relatively unpopular with respondents as 64% never participate in informal
carpooling, 94% never participate in company carpool programs and 97% never participate in
other carpool programs.
· Informal carpooling is the most common form of carpooling in Ajax with 24% of respondents
always (4%), frequently (8%) or occasionally (12%) carpooling.

5 Daily Commute
5.1 Days Per Week Travelled to Work or School
Figure 17: Days of Travel to Work / School (n=391)
Highlights
· The majority (60%) of participants travel to and from work or school 5 days a week.
· 22% of respondents travel to and from work or school fewer than 5 days a week (between 4 and
1)
· 6% of respondents travel to and from work or school more than 5 days a week.
· 12% of respondents do not travel to and from work or school at all.
o More than half (53%) of these respondents that do not commute regularly
because they are retired and 25% do not work or go to school.
o 21% of the respondents that do not commute regularly work or study at home.
None One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
47
12 11 26 37
233
16
9

5.2 Modes of Transportation Used for Daily Travel
Figure 18: Modes of Transportation (n=276-333)
Highlights
· 64% of respondents typically drive alone for their entire trip.
· 35% of respondents take GO Transit for all or part of their trip, while only 14% take DRT for part
of their trip.
· 16% of respondents participate in informal carpooling for all or part of their trip.
· Most modes of transportation (excluding the private automobile) require multiple modes of
transportation (i.e. GO Transit and walking)
o 21% walk for part of their trip
o 28% take GO transit for part of their trip
o 12% take DRT for part of their trip
76%
92%
86%
95%
65%
99% 98%
84%
14%
21%
4%
12%
5%
28%
1% 1%
8%
21%
3% 4% 2% 0%
7%
1% 1%
8%
64%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
Walk Bicycle DRT Local
Transit
GO Transit Company
carpool
Other
organized
carpool
program
Informal
carpooling
Drive
vehicle by
yourself
None of Trip Part of Trip All of Trip

5.3 Time Spent on Daily Commute
Figure 19: Average Commute Time (n=342)
Highlights
· The number of respondents that spend less than 30 minutes, 30-60 minutes, or 1-1.5 hours
commuting is about equal at around 21%.
· 14% of respondents spend 1.5-2 hours commuting and 12% spend 2-2.5 hours commuting.
· 10% of participants spend 2.5 hours or more on their average commute.
21%
22%
21%
14%
12%
8%
2%
< 30 Min
30 – 60 Min
1 – 1.5 Hrs
1.5 – 2 Hrs
2 - 2.5 Hrs
2.5 - 3 Hrs
> 3 Hours

5.4 Satisfaction with Daily Commute
Figure 20: Satisfaction of Commute (n=340)
Highlights
· Respondents are generally dissatisfied with their commute time (44% rated 1 or 2 out of 5) and
only 14% expressed that they were satisfied (rated 5).
· Most participants feel neutrally about their commute experience (71% rated between 2 and 4).
· Almost half of respondents indicated that they are dissatisfied with the cost of commuting (49%
rated 1 or 2 out of 5.
78
56
89
71
78 8079
93
80
63
73
4848
40 41
Commute time Commute experience Cost of commuting
1 (Dissatisfied)
2
3 (Neutral)
4
5 (Satisfied)

5.5 Benefits of Reduced Commute Time
Figure 21: Personal Benefits to Reduced Commute Time (n=342)
Highlights
· More than half of participants (54%) outlined having more time for family as a personal benefit
to a reduced commute time.
· Other common answers include having less stress (52%), more free time in general (50%) and
the cost savings (50%).
· A few participants selected ‘other’, outlining that reducing commute times results in fewer
greenhouse gases being emitted into the environment.
186
120
170
176
52
172
76
7
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
More time
for family
More time
for hobbies
More free
time in
general
Less stress Improved
health
Using less
gas/cost
savings
Less wear &
tear on
personal
vehicles
Other

5.6 Benefits of Reducing Single-Occupant Vehicle Travel
Figure 22: Greatest Benefits of Reducing Single-Occupant Vehicle Travel (n=339)
Highlights
· The majority (77%) of participants selected less traffic congestion as the greatest benefit of
reducing single-occupant vehicle travel in Ajax.
· Other common answers include: shorter travel times (41%), reduced greenhouse gas emission
and pollutants (39%) and cost savings for commuters (28%).
262
139 132
82
48 34 45 38
94
18
0
50
100
150
200
250
300

6 Walking
6.1 Frequency of Walking as Mode of Transportation
Highlights
· 43% of participants never or rarely walk
as a mode of transportation in Ajax.
· 14% of participants walk daily or more
than once per day.
· 16% of respondents walk every few
days, and 9% walk weekly.
Figure 23: Frequency of Walking as a Mode of Transportation (n=388)
6.2 Barriers to Walking
Figure 24: Barriers to Walking (n=387)
Highlights
· Most respondents (78%) think destinations are too far to walk.
· 28% of participants outlined that they don’t walk more frequently because there are faster
options then walking and 26% responded that they have too much to carry to/from
destinations.
· 36% of respondents outlined that seasonal conditions and/or variations in weather prevent
them from walking as a mode of transportation.
302
107
13
102
44
77 63
20 22
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
Destinationsaretoo
fartowalk
Fasteroptionsthan
walking
Toomucheffort
Toomuchtocarry
to/fromdestination
Dangerous
conditions
Seasonalvariations
Variationsinweather
conditions
Physicallyunableor
difficultto
Other
More than
once per
day
3%Daily
11% Once
every few
days
16%
Weekly
9%Once
every few
weeks
10%
Monthly
3%
Once
every few
months
5%
Rarely
25%
Never
18%

6.3 Motivators to Walk More Frequently
Figure 25: Motivations to Walk More Frequently (n=380)
Highlights
· 63% of participants outlined that it would be easier to walk more frequently if they were closer
to destinations and 27% of respondents think better access and connectivity to destinations
would make it easier to walk.
· 19% of participants would like to see more/improve paths and sidewalks.
· 28% of participants believe that walking is unsafe and would like friendlier and safer pedestrian
environments and experiences.
Respondents provided feedback on specific locations within Ajax that could be improved to support
walking instead of driving. Feedback include:
· Downtown Ajax;
· All ‘big box’ commercial areas north of the 401 (Access to and within the Durham Centre);
· Around the Ajax GO station (Westney Road south of the 401);
· North Ajax (Rossland and Salem; Rossland and Audley, Salem and Taunton, Ravenscroft north of
Rossland);
· More walking paths to connect the Town of Ajax to Pickering and Whitby ( e.g. the path on
Taunton Road);
· Locate grocery stores and recreational spaces closer to residential areas to increase walkability.
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70% 63%
27%
19%
15% 14% 14%
11%

6.4 Benefits of Walking
Figure 26: Benefits of Walking (n=383)
Highlights
· The majority of respondents (88%) feel that the greatest benefit of walking as a mode of
transportation is the health benefit.
· Other common benefits are enjoying the outdoors (54%) and the cost savings (35%).
11%
88%
11%
54%
27% 25%
35%
26%
4%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%

7 Cycling
7.1 Frequency of Cycling As Mode of Transportation
Highlights
· Most participants never (51%) or
rarely (21%) cycle as a mode of
transportation in Ajax.
· Only 3% of participants cycle daily or
more than once per day.
Figure 27: Frequency of Cycling as a Mode of Transportation (n=382)
7.2 Barriers to Cycling
Figure 28: Cycling Preventatives (n=379)
Highlights
· The most common barriers preventing respondents from cycling as a mode of transportation
include: dangerous conditions (38%), having too much to carry to/from destinations and
destinations being too far to cycle.
· Other barriers include having children that are too young to cycle, motorists ignoring bike lanes,
fear of having their bike stolen, and it being uncomfortable.
29%
21%
5%
33%
38%
27%
21%
7%
10%
13% 12%
17%
12%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
Destinationsaretoo
fartocycle
Therearefaster
options
Toomucheffort
Toomuchtocarry
Dangerousconditions
Seasonalvariations
Variationsinweather
conditions
Physicallyunableor
difficult
Concernaboutbeing
sweaty
Concernaboutbicycle
theft
Lackofbicycle
parking
Donothaveaccessto
abicycle
Other
More than
once per
day
1%
Daily
2%
Once every
few days
7%
Weekly
4%
Once every
few weeks
5%Monthly
4%
Once every
few
months
5%
Rarely
21%
Never
51%

7.3 Motivators to Cycle More Frequently
Figure 29: Motivations to Cycle More Frequently (n=352)
Highlights
· 76% of participants outlined that it would be easier to cycle more frequently if cycling
infrastructure was improved:
o 39% were in favour of more/improved bike lanes and 37% were in favour of safer
cycling environments.
· 33% of participants outlined that it would be easier to cycle more frequently if they were in
closer proximity to amenities and destinations.
· Other suggestions include having more secure bike parking and having shower facilities available
at more places of employment.
cycling instead of driving. Feedback include:
· Better north/south routes across the 401;
· Better access to the Durham Centre (including covered bicycle parking);
· More bicycle parking across the Town;
· Downtown Ajax (Hardwood);
· Westney Road;
· Around Ajax GO Station.
Other participants outlined that the Town does not need more bike lanes.
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
33%
15%
39%
37%
23%
13% 12%
19%

7.4 Benefits of Cycling
Figure 30: Benefits of Cycling (n=369)
Highlights
· The majority of respondents (85%) feel that the greatest benefit of cycling as a mode of
transportation is the health benefit.
· Other common benefits are enjoying the outdoors (50%) and the cost savings (36%).
· Note that the three most commonly selected benefits of cycling are the same ones chosen for
walking (see Figure 33).
20%
85%
3%
50%
27%
19%
36%
30%
9%
4%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%

8 Public Transit
8.1 Use of Transit Passes
Figure 31: Type of Transit Pass (n=375)
Highlights
· Most respondents (64%) do not have a transit pass.
· Of the respondents that do have transit pass, most have a PRESTO card (34%).
· Only 3% of respondents have a DRT monthly pass and a few respondents have a senior DRT
pass.
238
10 3
127
3 4
0
50
100
150
200
250 No
Yes-Durham
Region
Transitpass
Yes-U-Pass
(forcollege
and
university…
Yes-PRESTO
card
Yes-Passfor
another
transitsystem
Other

8.2 Frequency of Riding Public Transit
Figure 32: Frequency of Riding Public Transit (n= 353, 319)
Highlights
· Generally, reported public transit ridership is low:
o 10% use GO Transit daily
o 5% use DRT daily
o 2% use other local transit daily
· GO Transit is the most popular form of public transit with only 13% of participants outlining that
they never use GO Transit, in comparison to 50% of participants never using DRT and 43% never
using other local transit systems.
12%
6%
2%
10%
5%
3%
10%
6%
5%
9%
6%
7%
4%
3%
3%
22%
12%
12%
33%
62%
64%
0% 1% 5%
GO Transit Durham Region Transit
(DRT)
Other Local Transit
System (e.g. TTC)
Do not know
Rarely/ Never
Once every few months
Monthly
Once every few weeks
Weekly/ Once every few
days

8.3 Barriers to Riding Public Transit
Figure 33: Barriers to Riding Public Transit (n=363)
Highlights
· More than half of respondents (53%) think there are faster options than taking public transit.
· Other barriers to taking public transit more often include the service not being frequent enough
(39%) and it being inconvenient to take multiple transit systems to get to their destination
(36%).
53%
33%
39%
30%
22%
36%
30%
8% 7%
1% 4%
15%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%

8.4 Motivators to Take Public Transit More Frequently
Figure 34: Motivations to Ride Transit Frequently (n=353)
Highlights
· 97% of participants outlined that it would be easier to ride public transit more frequently if the
service was improved:
o Respondents reported better service coverage and routing (52%) and more frequent
service (45%) as the top service improvements to make public transit easier to use.
· 39% of participants outlined that it would be easier to ride transit more frequently if there was
better access and connectivity to destinations.
public transit instead of driving. Feedback include Participants listed of number of potential service and
routing improvements including, but not limited to:
· Offering express bus routes;
· Direct north-south and east-west routes;
· Increased service and better routing to community centres, libraries, and outdoor
parks/waterfront;
· Increased service and better routing to shopping centres and places of employment; and
· Creation of an Ajax-York Region connection (both GO Transit and local bus service).
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60% 52%
45%
12%
39%
30% 28%
19%
13% 12%
17%

8.5 Benefits of Taking Public Transit
Figure 35: Benefits of Taking Public Transit (n=357)
Highlights
· More than half of respondents (53%) feel that the greatest benefit of taking public transit is
being able to avoid the stress of traffic.
· Other common benefits include environment benefits, such as fewer greenhouse gas emissions
(45%) and cost savings (44%).
16%
5%
53%
44% 45%
13% 11%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%

9 Carpooling
9.1 Frequency of Carpooling
Figure 36: Carpooling as a Mode of Transportation (n=368)
Highlights
· Most participants never (54%) or rarely (18%) carpool as a mode of transportation.
· 7% of participants carpool daily, 6% carpool once every few days, and 3% carpool weekly.
More than once
per day
2%
Daily
7%
Once every few
days
6%Weekly
3%
Once every few
weeks
5%Monthly
1%
Once every few
months
3%
Rarely
18%
Never
54%
Do not know
1%

9.2 Barriers to Carpooling
Figure 37: Barriers to Carpooling (n=353)
Highlights
· The most common barrier preventing respondents from carpooling more frequently (reported
by almost half of respondents) is the difficulty of coordinating schedules.
· Other barriers include it being difficult to find people to carpool with (28%), concerns about the
possibility of having to leave earlier or later than normal (27%), and the need to combine other
tasks with the daily commute home (26%).
5%
28%
49%
27%
15%
3%
13%
26%
19%
12% 13%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%

9.3 Motivators to Carpool More Frequently
Figure 38: Motivations to Carpool More Frequently (n=296)
Highlights
· There was no consensus among participants that one specific mechanism or approach that
would make it easier to carpool more frequently:
o 31% of participants outlined that it would be easier to carpool more frequently if
incentives were providing by their employer (e.g. preferred parking, gas vouchers,
rewards)
o 27% of participants outlined that it would be easier to carpool more frequently if there
was a system to match carpoolers (e.g. rideshare web-based or social media systems).
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
System to
match
carpoolers
Corporate
carpool
programs
Incentives
provided by
your
employer
Carpool
driving lanes
Preferred
carpool
parking
spaces
Other
27%
22%
31%
25%
16%
25%

9.4 Benefits of Carpooling
Figure 39: Benefits of Carpooling (n=340)
Highlights
· The majority of participants (71%) feel that the greatest benefit of carpooling is the cost savings.
· Other common benefits are environmental benefits, such as fewer greenhouse gas emissions
(35%), having free time when not driving (26%) and socializing (24%).
26% 24%
22%
71%
35%
12%
8%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%

10 Summary of Key Findings
Community Characteristics
· People live in low density housing
o Most people (93%) live in detached, semi-detached, or townhomes
· Access to a personal vehicle is high
o Almost everyone (98%) report having access to a vehicle
o Majority have more than one vehicle in the household
· People leave Ajax to go to work and travel relatively far
o Majority of travelers (two-thirds) work outside of Durham Region
Transportation Characteristics
· Single occupant vehicle is the predominant mode of transportation for getting around
o Most people drive single occupant vehicles (44% always driving alone and 37%
frequently driving alone)
o Cycling is the least frequently utilized mode of transportation
· Regional public transit (GO Transit) is more heavily used than local public transit
o 13% identifying as frequent users, 21% occasional users and 26% rare users
· Carpooling is all around low, but informal carpooling is more popular than use of carpool
programs
o 24% reported participating in some level of informal carpooling
· Alternatives to standard travel to work are available but not fully utilized
o One-third are permitted to telecommute; only 40% of those telecommute on a semi-
frequent basis (at least once per week)
o 45% are permitted to work flexible hours; most people take advantage of this (58% on a
frequent basis)
Daily Commute
· People are generally dissatisfied with their commute time, feel neutrally about their commute
experience, and are dissatisfied with the cost of commuting
· Top benefits of a reduced commute time include more time with their families (54%), reduced
stress (52%), more free time in general (50%), and the cost savings (50%).

Barriers and Benefits to Sustainable Transportation
Mode of
Transportation
Barriers Benefits Motivators
Walking · Destinations too far
· Faster options
available
· Have to carry items
· Seasonal/weather
conditions
· Physical
activity/health
· Outdoor
enjoyment
· Cost savings
· Environmental
· Proximity to destinations
· Access/connectivity to
destinations
· Expanded sidewalks and
paths
· Friendlier/safer pedestrian
environments/experiences
Cycling · Dangerous
· Have to carry items
· Destination too far
· Seasonal variations
· Physical
activity/health
· Outdoor
enjoyment
· Cost savings
· Environmental
· Expanded bikes lanes
· Friendlier/safer
environments
· Proximity to destinations
Public Transit · Faster options
· Infrequent service
· Inconvenient
· Location of routes
· Cost
· Avoiding traffic
stress
· Environmental
· Cost savings
· Coverage and routing
· Frequency of service
· Access/connectivity to
destinations
· Improved fare structure
· Fare integration
Carpooling · Coordinating
schedules
· Finding carpool
partners
· Concern about not
having access to car
during day
· Like to combine
tasks during
commute home
· Cost savings
· Environmental
· Less driving
· Employer incentives
· Carpool match system
· Carpool driving lanes

Appendix C - Findings Report - Ajax TDM

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Appendix C - Findings Report - Ajax TDM