1. Ontario’s 2012 Transit-Supportive Guidelines:
Transit Improvement Strategies
Ontario East Municipal Conference
September 12, 2012
Ministry of Transportation 1

2. Transit Improvement Guidelines
 Increasing transit ridership, a provincial priority
 Since 2004, $2.2 billion committed to municipal transit
systems through dedicated gas taxes
 Aim of funding: to support municipalities in growing
ridership
 Expanded transit content in Guidelines to assist
municipal transit providers in developing strategies for
ridership growth
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3. Ridership growth 2000 to 2010
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4. Transit Systems in Eastern Ontario
25 transit systems
Conventional & Specialized-11
Conventional only - 6
Specialized only - 8
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5. Most municipal transit systems in
Eastern Ontario serve small populations
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6. Demographics affecting transportation
By 2036 – 23.4% of Ontario population age 65+
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7. Share of seniors population by region
Most of Eastern Ontario projected to have
over 25% seniors by 2036
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8. Smaller transit systems tend to serve
transit-dependent*
 Can’t drive or do not own cars
 Seniors
 Persons with disability
 Students
 Lower incomes
* Todd Litman. Evaluating Public Transit Benefits and Costs. Victoria
Transport Policy Institute (2012), p. 5.
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9. Challenges of small and mid-sized
systems
 Lower populations, lower densities
 Dispersed origins and destinations
 Higher operating costs, lower fare revenues
 Greater need for accessible transit & facilities
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10. Sample guidelines for smaller systems
3.1.3 Demand-Responsive Transit Service (p. 104)
Flexible services address low densities, dispersed destinations
 Mixing fixed routes
with requested pick-
ups & stops to
overcome longer
distances to and from
transit stops
 Using taxis/vans to
add capacity or as
feeder service in
outlying areas
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11. Sample guidelines for smaller systems
3.5.3 Targeting Ridership through Partnerships (p. 142)
Forming partnerships to target groups with high transit use helps
maintain ridership and fare revenues
 Schools and colleges;
provide student passes
 Health and social agencies,
medical centres , seniors
housing, to serve client
groups
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12. Sample guidelines for smaller systems
Community Transportation (3.1.3 #9, p.105)
Forming partnerships with other transportation service providers
can optimize use of transportation assets and lower costs
 Coordinate service with long-term care, social service
agencies, hospitals, volunteer organizations
 One number to
call
 Sharing vehicle
and operators to
provide more
trips, meet unmet
demand
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13. Sample guidelines for smaller systems
3.4.1 Universal Design for Accessibility (p. 124)
Accessible design and services remove barriers to mobility, making
transit accessible to people of all ages and all abilities
 Transit accessibility
requirements in Ontario
Accessible Transportation
Standard
 Make entire transit trip
accessible:
 route to transit stops
 walkways
 transit stops/shelters
 stairs/ramps
 parking lots
 stations/platforms
 vehicles 13

14. Sample Guidelines for smaller systems
3.5.2 Changing Demographics (p. 138)
Plan transit to serve needs of aging population with increase in
mobility disabilities
 Work with social agencies and
healthcare networks to
determine travel needs of older
clients
 Assess all transit facilities,
routes, stops for safety and
comfort for seniors
 Assess whether transit
destinations, hours and
frequencies serve seniors
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15. Sample guidelines for smaller systems
3.2.1 Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (p. 108)
Performance monitoring and evaluation provides systematic
approach to implementing service improvements
 Performance measurement
builds understanding of
service levels (service gaps,
areas of opportunity)
 Setting strategic goals is 1st
step to developing service
standards and service plan
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16. Sample guidelines for smaller systems
1.2.2 Transit Network Design and Planning (p. 30)
Sets out principles of transit network design with emphasis on
connectivity and aligning network to growth and changes in
local land use
 Growing small to mid-size
communities can add cross
town routes to provide more
direct service as nodes emerge
Case study on Oakville’s
transition from radial
network to grid (p. 168)
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