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Home My WebLink AboutEGD-11-04 REPORT 112 CJaIj. II Leadi"gt~ REPORT ENGINEERING SERVICES Meeting: COUNCIL 103, Date: Monday, March 22, 2004 Report#: EGD-11-04 File #: TR.20. 13 C.-ILf0 -0-1 By-law #: Subject: CLARINGTON TRANSIT MASTER PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended: 1. THAT Report EGD-11-04 be received; 2, THAT the Clarington Transit Master Plan be approved: 3. THAT a copy of this report and Council's resolution be forwarded to the Regional Municipality of Durham. Submitted by: .- - 12 ~11L-L -- Anthony Cannella Reviewed by: Director of Engineering Services c)~~ .~ Franklin Wu Chief Administrative Officer ASC/LJB/jb March 16, 2004 CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 F 905-623-9282 REPORT NO.: EGD-11.Q4 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND The attached Clarington Transit Master Plan is a document that provides guidance to the future expansion of Clarington Transit. Whether Clarington Transit is transferred to the Regional Municipality of Durham or remains this document depicts Clarington's vision and proposals for transit improvements over the next 5 years. It is meant to serve as a strategic policy document that consolidates many informal discussions surrounding transit services in Clarington and flows from recommendations and strategies embodied in the Region of Durham's Transit Improvement Plan, September 2003. 2.0 INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES The Clarington Transit Master Plan was prepared by Totten Sims Hubicki Associates. 3.0 CONCLUSION The Region of Durham has identified that one of its key strategic objectives in promoting quality of life for its residents and sustainable economic growth for the Region is to develop "a viable, affordable" and integrated Regional Transit Plan, The Regional Transit Plan identifies that there is a need for direct transit connections between Clarington's urban centres and other urban areas within the Durham Region. If the Region is to successfully coordinate transit services across the Durham Region each municipality must clearly identify its own specific transit goals and objectives. We believe that the attached Clarington Transit Master Plan captures not only our current established transit service but also our own specific vision for transit system expansion and enhancement within Clarington. The implementation of the Clarington Transit Master Plan is contingent upon an expansion of service which is supported by a strong ridership base and a cost-effective funding scenario. ',t REPORT NO.: EGD-3S-03 PAGE 3 Integrated into the whole the Clarington Transit Master Plan allows us to contribute toward the implementation of a Regional Transit Master Plan that considers economic growth and quality of life equally for all residents within the Durham Region. A Regional Transit service will offer our residents significant opportunities for enhanced service if the plan is developed with our own unique needs, vision and goals in mind. It is our recommendation that the attached plan be approved and forwarded to the Regional Municipality of Durham. Attachments: Attachment #1 - Clarington Transit Master Plan Municipality of Clarington Clarington Transit Master Plan c;J~mglon ... c1arington :.. . ~~~~"~~~~.?~~:'.~tJ J REPORT TSH Project No. 12.29373 March 2004 . VH Prepared by: engineers architects planners Municipality of Clarington Clarington Transit Master Plan Report 2 MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON CLARINGTON TRANSIT MASTER PLAN REPORT 1.0 BACKGROUND On September 2002, The Municipality of ClaringtDn launched its conventional transit services under the "Clarington Transit" banner. The service, contracted out to the Oshawa Transit Commission (OTC) consisted of two regular routes servicing the community Df Bowmanville and a special school route serving BDwmanville and St. Stephen's High Schools. On NDvember 2003, Clarington Transit added limited service to Orono and the Wilmot Creek retirement community. Transit services within Clarington are also provided by an OTC route linking Oshawa and Courtice in addition to GO Bus services along the Highway 2 Corridor from Oshawa connecting Bowmanville and Newcastle. With significant population growth opportunities on the horizDn, Clarington is Dnce again IDoking to expand and enhance its transit services. In Clarington's Official Plan, one of its main objectives is to "give priority tD public transit, cycling and walking as energy efficient, affDrdable' and accessible forms of travel", Coinciding with its transportation objectives, the Official Plan also stresses the importance of its Main Central Areas and gives direction to develDp these areas as the "focal pOints of economic, social and cultural activities" which is in part accomplished through the establishment of good transit centres/nodes. The reverse is also true as intensified development helps support good transit services. This highlights the synergistic relationship between transit and density of development. 2.0 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Transit services are more than simply a social service to those without access tD automobiles. It is a legitimate transportation altemative. Although in almost every business case analysis, transit inevitably comes out on the losing side, its benefits cannot merely be based on the bottom line and ridership alone. A good transit system helps enhance the quality of life in our communities by protecting the environment and reducing the economic toll of congestion on our roadways. Transit connections between major nodes or centres of development helps keep these areas vital and decreases the need for the excessive land and resource consumption that comes from unsightly and environmentally incompatible urban sprawl. Certainly, there is a dynamic inter-relationship between transit and our economy, health, environment and quality of life. The Region of Durham's Strategic Plan identifies Transportation as one of its key strategic objectives. It calls for "developing a viable, affordable and integrated transit plan within the Region and linking with the rest of the GTA and beyond". Similarly, one of major goals of the Durham's Transportation Master Plan is to "facilitate sustainable economic growth" through support of the "planning, designs and delivery of a fully integrated regional transportation system" which includes transit. Furthermore, it states the completion of missing connections within the transportation systems as one of its principles for action towards the goal of the using TIll Municipality of Clarington Clarington Transit Master Plan Report 3 the transpDrtation system more effectively. The Regional Official Plan identifies a number of major corridors that are to cDmprise the Regional Transit spine. All of these policy documents clearly stress the need for better intra-regional transit connectivity in the future. Therefore the need for direct transit connections between Clarington urban centres and other urban areas within Durham Region is clearly in the best interests of fulfilling the economic and environmental planning pDlicieslplans of the Region, In order to achieve higher levels of intra-regional transit inter-connectivity, there is first a need tD upgrade local services. The Region of Durham's recently adopted Durham Transit Improvement Plan (DTIP) re- emphasizes all of these benefits associated with improved transit services across the entire Region. It recommended the regional co-ordination Df transit services across Durham Region and emphasized strategic and operational planning that supports inter-municipal and inter- regional travel. It also recommends encouraging GO Transit expansion, particularly an easterly connection to Clarington and the proposed "station" in Bowmanville. The proposed GO Rail Station in Bowmanville will help bring many of the DTIP's objectives and recommendations to fruition as it strengthens the need for improved local transit service connections. ClaringtDn's Transit Improvement Goals include: . The creation Df enhanced inter-municipal transit service cDnnectiDns; . The extension and enhancement of GO Transit services (including GO Rail); . The preservation and enhancement Df the vitality Df the Main Central Areas; . The expansion of the para-transit service area tD provide seamless service across the Region; . Improved levels of service and IDwer travel times (fewer transfers); and . The provision of transit in both urban and rural areas and also to newly developing areas. A Clarington transit system would also provide support for emergency evacuatiDn measures in the event of an incident at the Darlington Generating Station. Recent public sentiment gamered through input received as part of the Durham Transportation Master Plan and other project, has revealed a strong desire for improved service for seamless and cost-effective travel across the Region and the rest of the GTA. Input from the public will continue to be an important part of the planning of new and enhanced transit services in Clarington. 3.0 CURRENT SERVICE Current Transit services to Clarington are funded by the municipality and provided under the "Clarington Transit" banner by the Oshawa Transit Commission (OTC) and GO Transit. OTC provides the staffing for services contracted to Clarington Transit. 3.1 Existing Local Transit System: . Two Bowmanville "Clarington Transit" routes, Liberty and Aspen Springs TIM Municipality of Clarington Clarington Transit Master Plan Report 4 Clarington Transit operates two regular routes within the Bowmanville community. The Liberty route provides service to the ClaringtDn Fitness Centre/Bowmanville High School, St Stephen's High School, Bowmanville Mall, Bowmanville Zoo, Bowmanville Memorial Hospital and other areas on the eastern side of Bowmanville. The total ridership for the Liberty route was approximately 30,000 in 2003. The Aspen Springs route provides service to the western side of Bowmanville connecting the two Main Central areas the Garnet B. Rickard RecreatiDn Complex, Clarington Centre and rapidly emerging commercial and residential developments to the sDuth. The total ridership for the Aspen Springs route was approximately 56,000 in 2003. Both routes connect at the Bowmanville Main Central Area on Church Street, across from the Clarington Administrative Centre. GO Transit connections are also made in this area. . One OTC route to Courtice OTC currently provides direct service connecting Oshawa tD the Courtice community with its "2 King" route. The route travels along Highway 2 and Nash Road in Courtice, terminating at the Courtice Community Centre. Typical boarding cDunts at the CDurtice Community Centre are about 200-300 riders per day. The OTC "2 King" route has approximately 270,000 riders annually or 888 per day'. . AM and PM peak school special routes These routes provide limited peak period service (two trips per day) connecting the south and eastern areas of Bowmanville to SI. Stephen's High School and Bowmanville High School. Both the Durham Catholic District School Board and the Public School Board provide transit passes to secondary school students. . Two limited AM and PM routes to Orono (Tuesday, Thursday) and Wilmot Creek (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) Launched on November 2003, these routes use the SChDOI special bus during the Dff-peak, thereby more efficiently using the 6-hour minimum operations charge levied by OTC. The school specials complete their runs in 1,5 hours and the remaining service hours are used to provide limited service to Orono and Wilmot Creek. Thus, these routes are operated at minimal additional cost to the Municipality of Clarington during the school year. However, as Clarington will continue to operate these routes during school holidays, it will do so at its own added expense. Since the service was launched, the Orono route has carried 59 passengers (as of the end of February 2004) and the Wilmot Creek route has carried a total of 65 passengers. , Derived figure; 270,000/304 days = 888 riders/day (304 days based on a six day week and no holiday service) 11M . Municipality of Clarington Clarington Transit Master Plan Report 5 . Other Notes on Local Transit SelVice: OTC, Whitby Transit and Clarington Transit have a fare agreement allowing customers to use the passes and fares on any of these three systems with transfer privileges. This arrangement allows passengers tD travel within eastern urban Durham RegiDn Dn one fare. However. passengers travelling west of Whitby into Ajax/Pickering must pay an additional fare. The special Durham College/University of OntariD Institute of Technology (UOIT) Student Transit Pass is a 2-year pilot program offered in partnership with the Region of Durham, GO Transit and the Durham Region local transit properties, The monthly pass, sold on at the Student Centre for $75, allows pass hDlders unlimited access to routes Dn Ajax-Pickering Transit, Oshawa Transit. Whitby Transit and Clarington Transit. The pass also allows riders to ride on GO Transit connections from Port Perry and Newcastle/Bowmanville at no extra charge (see "Existing GO Transit Service" below) Table 3-1 Summary of Ridership on Local Transit Services (2003) Route I 2003 Ridership 500/600 Aspen Springs ! 55.589 501/601 Liberty 29,831 701/801 School Tripper' 26.574 'Route does not operate during July, August and school holidays Table 3-2 Summary of Ridership on recently added Local Transit Services Route Ridership (November 2003 through February 2004) 59 65 702/802 Orono 703/803 Wilmot Creek 3.2 Local Transit Services Operational Statistics In 2003, Clarington Transit had a fleet of two buses for its regular Bowmanville routes and one OTC bus for the operation of the school special~ and the Orono and Wilmot Creek transit selVices. Ridership has been steadily increasing since the launch of Clarington Transit selVices on September 2002. Clarington also provides proportioned subsidies to Handi Transit so as to avail Para-transit selVices to its citizens. Operational costs and revenues for both conventional and specialized transit services are summarized below: TIN Municipality of Clarington Clarington Transit Master Plan Report 6 TotaL_ .20030 Reiie2ntJe' Specialized Transi Hindi Costs/Revenues S Total 2003 Budgeted Direct Operating Expense Total 2003 Budgeted >" ' Operating Revenue Net 2003 Operatingc<<::os $410,039 Net 2003 Operating (subsidy)':":~r~;:~,,;; Cost (subsidy) 'Municipality of Clarington, Cash Activity RepDrt #FND00504, 4th Quarter 2003, Part C S Handi Transit, 2003 ~darington :C:,C,' ) $ 572,352 $135,100 Conventional Transit Costs/Revenues. Total 2003;-' - Dlrec - - "'~'7:'-':> .,~--,'.:'". -,_"':'.:l<':%;-'::"~:.:' :_''- ()pera~ingJ:Xpe~se :'" ~~'~~i;~i~~"~_:i,1t~~~}i~~~:t.~:'L-; $ 162,313 $18,000 $117,381 3.3 Existing GO Transit Service . Hwy 2 GO Bus service provides limited service between Oshawa, Bowmanville and Newcastle . The Regional Durham CDllege/UOIT Student Transit Pass program allows passholders to ride Hwy 2 GO Bus service to the Oshawa Bus Terminal at no extra charge. . Ridership by Student Transit Pass (STP) holders is described below: Table 3-2 Summary of Student Transit Pass (STP) rides on the Hwy 2 GO Transit Oshawa- Bowmanville/Newcastle connection Month Number of STP rides 379 633 387 113 409 September-2003 October-2003 November-2003 December-2003 January-2004 4.0 ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES Transit has come to the forefront of discussions in Durham Region with the recent adoption of major policy documents such as the Transportation Master Plan, the Durham Transit Improvement Plan and the Durham Strategic Plan. Combined with traffic gridlock becoming an ever-increasing and omni-present problem in the GTA, there are good mDtivations and opportunities for new transit services in Clarington to rapidly growing develDpment areas. However, there are also a number of issues that also need consideration. These include: T.nI Municipality of Clarington Clarington Transit Master Plan Report 7 . Transit service to the rural areas of Clarington; . The relevance of Hwy 2 GO Bus service should new local transit routes be established on this cDrridDr linking Courtice to Bowmanville; . The increasing demands for school service, particularly as new schools, parks and residential developments are built at an ever-expanding rate; . The need for service to new and developing communities as subdivisions are being developed (pre-empt the need for new residents to buy more automobiles); . The provision of para-transit services fm customers wishing tD travel beyond the current service area (which does not include Ajax-Pickering); and . The dependency between ridership and frequency of service. 5.0 FUTURE ROUTES AND LINKAGES ClaringtDn Transit's plans for the expansion and enhancement of transit services are a key component to the Region's overall plans fm improved, seamless transportation links throughout Durham. These plans support the strong economic linkages already in place within the Region . and beyond while being cognisant of the community's desire to preserve and enhance the quality of life and environment for all residents through cost effective alternatives to the automDbile that will help ease traffic gridlock, With an emphasis on transit connectiDns to the Main Central Areas Df Bowmanville, Courtice and Newcastle, these improvements also do their part in maintaining and enhancing the intensity and vitality of these development centres while curtailing the demands for unsustainable urban sprawl. 5.1 Proposed Transit Improvements The fDllowing list summarizes Clarington's proposed VISion for system expansiDn and enhancement and Dther changes to transit services. Routes with map references are shown in Appendix A. Table 5.1 Summary of Proposed Conventional Transit Enhancements and Changes in Clarington Year Route Name Map Description Reference Sept Courtice School Light Blue Based on a 2003 planned service; AM Peak 2004 Bus Route service connecting Courtice Secondary School and Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School to residential areas to the south and east. 2004- OTC Route "4 Dark Blue Extension of a regular OTC route connecting 2008 Bloor" extension Oshawa to the southern Courtice, the South Courtice Community Centre, the Courtice Secondary Schools, Courtice Community Complex and proposed Courtice Main Central Area. Recommended frequency: every 30 minutes 2006 OTC Route "12 Red Extension of a regular OTC route connecting Adelaide" Oshawa to northern Courtice, residential areas extension north of Nash Road and the CDurtice Secondary 11M Municipality of Clarington Clarington Transit Master Plan Report 8 School and Courtice Community Complex. Recommended frequency: every 30 minutes 2006 OTC Route "2 Green Extension of a regular OTC route (already King" extension servicing Courtice) to the Bowmanville West Main Central Area (site of the proposed GO Station) and proposed high school, which will also accommodate students from Courtice. Recommended frequency: every 30 minutes 2006- Newcastle - Initially to be provided by paratransit services tD 2008 Service connect the Newcastle Main Central Area and the Port of Newcastle to the Bowmanville East Main Central area, Ultimately as ridership increases .this will evolve into a full service route. Recommended frequency: every 60 minutes 2006- WilmDt Creek - Maintain existing service in the short term. Convert 2008 Retirement to para-transit service as Newcastle Service Community evolves into a full service route. Frequency to be determined 2006- Orono Service - Retain current service to connect Orono with the 2008 Main Central Area in Bowmanville. Eventually expand to daily service and increase frequency (to be determined) 2006- Taunton Road - Extension of proposed joint Whitby Transit-OTC 2008 Service Taunton corridor services to the Bowmanville West Main Central Area (site of the proposed GO Station) Recommended frequency: every 30 minutes 2006 GO Hwy 2 - Remove current Hwy 2 service to Newcastle and Service re-align along Hwy 401'7New Clarington GO Station in Bowmanville'7 Newcastle> Hwy 35/115- I >__Peterborough to provide higher levels Df "express" inter-regional service. TBA South Courtice N/A As development warrants service; may initially start Industrial with para-transit services connecting with the Main Central Area in Courtice TBA Weekend N/A As ridership warrants. Service Table 5.2 Summary of Proposed Specialized Transit Clarington Year Service 2004 Handi-Transit or equivalent Enhancements and Changes in 2004 Handi- Transit Dr equivalent Description Harmonization of service standards between APTA and Handi- Transit including hours of service, fare structure, eligibility requirements, and procedures for booking as per the Durham Transit Improvement Plan. Seamless service coverage across the Region. TIN . Municipality of Clarington Clarington Transrt Master Plan Report 9 2004 Accessible Taxis Expansion of the present use Df taxi rides, the initiation of a taxi scrip program and subsidies tD purchase new accessible taxi vehicles. 5.2 Additional Recommendations In addition to the transit route improvements outlined in Section 5.1, the following recommendations are suggested in support of local transit improvements and facilitation of continuous Improvements towards a fully translt-suppDrtlve enVIronment. . Pursuing GO Transit relative to a proposed extension of GO Train service to Bowmanville; . On-going expansion of existing Bowmanville routes as new subdivisions come on line and the collector road network is expanded; . Developing strategies to ensure that transit services are in place as new develDpments emerge; . Increasing service tD Courtice schools and providing service tD new schools as they are built; . Encouraging compatible development in accordance to the Province's Transit Supportive Land Use Planning Guidelines, Apri/1992; . Encouraging transit planning at the Secondary Plan review phase; . Conducting an operational study to develop and review: . Fleet and replacement renewal strategies; . Service standards for current operations; . Service standards criteria for the development of new services; and . Service monitoring strategies. As per the Durham Region Transportation Master Plan, directly relevant recommended actions include: . Requesting GO Transit tD expand commuter rail service through the City of Oshawa to the proposed station around Harmony Road and Bloor Street along the CPR Belleville subdivision and expanded bus services along Highways 401 and 407 while providing more service on existing routes (Action #14); . Supporting (subject to budget approval) the protection of corridors for future transit service to Clarington along the CPR Belleville subdivision, with stations in Courtice at Courtice Road and in Bowmanville at Green Road (Act #15); . Exploring the interest in establishing a Community Transportation Program with potential stakeholders (Action #16); . Co-operating in the promotion of a GTA-wide inter-regional transit plan (subject to considering financial and service implications in Durham Region); and . Requesting GO Transit, the Toronto Transit Commission and York Region Transit to introduce measures to make public transit more attractive to longer-distance commuters. TIM Municipality of Clarington Clarington Transit Master Plan Report 10 6.0 CONCLUSION Public Transit in the form of both cDnventiDnal and specialized services constitutes an essential part of a safe, efficient, integrated and balanced transportation system. The efficient movement of gODds and people is critical to the well being of any economy, In today's highly integrated marketplace, inter-municipal and inter-regional transportation infrastructure must be in place in order tD support and strengthen the econDmy of Clarington as well as Durham Region and the GTA, Equally important is the preservation and enhancement of the high quality of life that is enjoyed by residents through the provision of true alternatives to the automobile that allow everyone to go about their day-to-day econDmic and leisure activities in a clean and safe community environment. The Durham Transportation Master Plan, Durham Transit Improvement Study, Durham Strategic Plan and the Official Plans of Durham RegiDn and the Municipality Df Clarington all provide clear direction with regard to the development of future transit service. They all stress better integration and inter-municipal cDnnectivity within the entire RegiDn. The benefits of such measures are often immeasurable and qualitative in nature and cannot easily be measured in dollars and cents, but they are indeed benefits. The Clarington Transit Master Plan is a timely document that demonstrates the need fDr and benefits of transit service within the above noted regional context. 11M APPENDIX A Maps r' 'OR CO""..""" ~ 1'1.....5\ "1 ", , , '.1 , :- ( ( 4 J ;. i , i ,- s J , 4 ,...,... 57 i . I . COliC.) fI"od4 i , , ,\ 1 i I j i ,/ "L' I ".i~.: '. , 4\ ___ fiNd] \ \ I ,\ J , /1 :J ,I \ I , , T \ II ) i: . j ~s J I \~ r::\ .1 Mutt ~, L( Roed4' , \ , I' '.I . I. I 351115 ! . 55 ,',il I Pri_ ) RUI*~' )4) J.' l.l......_tt~ '-~~.-I y/ Conu..lo" ..... CORTiCE I / / i '~ ,~ .... C"""...lo" } , Conc...lonR 1 _~.~I, IE .), /..;\ ~'\, <~;:::J/" \, ..~ , '~ '.....-.." .... '>. EXI8TlHO AND PROPOSED FUll SERVICE ROUTES ._ ASPENSPRINGSAOUTE ._liElERlVROUTE _ CCoURTICE SCHOOl ROUTE _ OTCROU1E'4BLOOR"E~TENSION OlCROUTE"12ADELAIOe"EXTENSION _ OfCROUTE"2 KINO" EXTENSION _ TAUTONROADSERVICE _ RE......IGNEOHWV 2GOSERVICE eAST . _ RE.AlIOf1EDHWY 2 GO SERVICE WEST EXISTING AND PROPOSED 'ARA1RANSIT ROUTES ___ NEWCASllESERvICE OF:ONO SERVICE WILMOT PARA TRANSIT WEST WLMOTPARi\TRANSIIEAST SCU1HCOURIICE!NOI)STRlAlAREA TRANSPORTA lION INFRASTRUCTURE PROVINCIA.ltlIGffflAV REGIONAL ROAD lOCAL ROAD ................... RAilWAY OTHER . OENorESRouIEOIREC110N t:: D€N01ESOO1RANSI1ROUn _ ClARINGlON RECREATION FACILITIES EXISTING SECONDARY SCI-IOOL .. fUfURf SECONDARY SC!100L "~'""" oom 1. ROU1ESAHE BI,OIRECIIONAl UNLESS INDICATEOBY. SYMBOl 2 SC!1OOlS t'tClUOE EKISTlNG AND FUTURE fACllll!ES ~ TIll ,,,,.._.,,- c.-,.""",,,, ",,,oTn...-rti '" "", "',1-'1 ..c:hll.ct. ......."""" pl..nn... ",,,,,,,",,,.,""'" I . '~. Cl{}lwgton O~CS - c1ari~gt~n. ~ TRANSIT SYSTEM MASTER PLAN S Al MAP N" 1 ' No 12.29373