Staff Report #4 – Draft 2020 Conventional Transit Service Plan

Staff Report #4

November 7, 2019

To All Members of the Accessible Public Transit Service Advisory Committee

Re: Draft 2020 Conventional Transit Service Plan

Recommendations

The report be NOTED and FILED.

Background

At the October 30, 2019 meeting, the Commission approved in principle the draft 2020 conventional service plan and directed administration to undertake public consultation with respect to the proposed changes.

The 2020-2024 Conventional Service Plan Framework focuses on six strategic directions to continue the momentum of improvement including;

1. Enhance the Overall Levels of Service– There are three key factors that drive ridership growth; frequency, reliability and travel time. This strategic direction will promote the continued improvements to service levels as a method of making the service more attractive to London residents.

2. Explore Alternative Service Delivery Models in New Communities- This direction in the plan is to begin to explore the use of Alternative Service Delivery Models (ASDs) in areas of the City that are currently unserved due to low ridership potential.

3. Improve Direct Connections– Continue to expand on the grid network, identifying opportunities to provide more direct routes, connected to key destinations.

4. Build on the Express Route Network– Continue to identify opportunities to expand the express route network and build ridership through improved service levels and enhanced connectivity to other routes.

5. Eliminate 60 Minute Headways– Continue to improve the frequency of routes that operate every 60 minutes (during certain periods), targeting 30 minute headways or better, or the implementation of an ASD where the demand does not warrant a service increase.

6. Minimize Impacts on Existing Passengers– Minimize the impacts on existing customers when modifications occur.

Consistent with past practice, the 2020 draft service planning process takes direction from the recommendations in the 2020-2024 Five Year Service Plan Framework, but also includes assessments pertaining to:

• existing service performance issues and demands
• 12-month assessment of the 2018 service plan changes

• early assessment of the 2019 service plan changes

• new growth areas
• customer contacts
• Operator, Inspector and Dispatcher feedback

This report sets out the proposed 2020 service plan recommendations.

Draft 2020 Service Plan Changes

The 2019 service plan saw system-wide routing modifications in an effort to provide more direct connections, frequencies that match demand, and to expand on the semi-express route network. The focus of the 2020 service plan is less on modifying the route alignments and more on enhancing the overall service levels and beginning to eliminate the 60 minute frequencies.

The draft 2020 Service Plan sets out the changes that are considered the highest priority, totalling approximately 24,800 hours on an annual basis and requiring six additional peak period buses. Given the 2020 budget, as approved by the Commission, includes the addition of 18,000 annualized hours and four expansion buses, further assessment will be completed to prioritize changes consistent with budget allocations. It should be noted that, while the 2020 operating and capital budgets have been approved by the Commission, the City of London investment shares in these budgets are not scheduled to be approved by Municipal Council until the end of February. Administration will proceed with the 2020 Service Plan development process, bringing a final recommended Plan to the Commission in January, it being noted that the said Plan may be subject to amendments based on the final decision by Municipal Council with respect to the City of London’s investment share in transit services.

Table I below sets out the summary of the draft 2020 service plan proposals, including a brief rationale for same.

Table I – 2020 Draft Service Plan

Alternative Service Delivery Models

One of the six strategic directions set out in the 2020-2024 Five-Year Service Plan, is to explore alternative service delivery models (ASD’s) in areas of the city that are currently unserved due to low ridership potential. The phasing plan set out in the framework calls for the implementation of the first ASD in the Innovation Park Industrial area as well as expanding service hour coverage in the Sovereign Road area as part of the 2020 service plan improvements. 

As this is the first ASD to be implemented in London, Administration will be working with consultants to undertake an assessment of the ASD options available and determine the most appropriate model for this area. Updates on the recommended ASD model will be presented at a future Commission meeting. It is anticipated that the ASD service in these areas will be implemented in September 2020 as part of the 2020 Service Plan. 

Public Engagement

Following the presentation of the draft service plan to the Commission, a public engagement period is held for approximately two months to allow passengers and residents potentially impacted by the changes to provide feedback and comment on the proposals.

The engagement period consists of in person public information sessions, generally held at public libraries in the areas most greatly impacted by the proposed changes. Meeting locations are determined based on accessibility, general coverage across the city, areas/neighbourhoods which may be impacted the greatest based on the proposed service changes, historic attendance at these sessions (approx. 0-20 per session) and staff resource availability. Two meetings are also held at the Central Library downtown to be in a central location for all residents to be able to attend. Based on the proposed changes as part of the 2020 Draft Service Plan and the above noted considerations, the public meeting locations for November and December 2019 are as follows:

Posters referencing the planned sessions including dates and times are currently on all buses, as well as the corporate website. 

In addition to the public information sessions, an online survey is also available on the corporate website for those that are unable to attend one of the above information sessions. Comments and feedback can also be made by emailing or phoning the customer service line.

Next Steps

London Transit will be promoting the draft service plan through on-board notifications, the LTC website, public information sessions and community associations. Social media messaging will be utilized to inform the public about the draft plan, related public information centres and the online survey.

Over the next three months, staff will further assess the identified priorities and refine the recommended service changes to be included in the final 2020 Service Plan.

As referenced, the final recommendations respecting the 2020 Conventional Service Plan are scheduled to be presented to the Commission for approval at its January 2020 meeting.

Recommended by:

Katie Burns, Director of Planning

Concurred in by:

Kelly S. Paleczny, General Manager