Staff Report #9
May 9, 2025
To All Commissioners
Re: 2025 Work Program – Planning – First Quarter Update
Recommendation
The report be NOTED and FILED.
Background
The following report is provided as an update on major Planning projects as set out in the 2025 Work Program that are ongoing in nature and/or were scheduled to commence and/or be completed over the first quarter of 2025, with the lead on same being the primary responsibility of the Planning department.
2.1 – Participate on the BRT Steering Committee and Technical Committee
As set out in Staff Report #13 dated May 9, 2025, construction continues along both the East London Link and Wellington Gateway Rapid Transit corridors. In addition, the shelters along East London Link Phase I and II as well as the Downtown Loop have been installed with the exception of Queens at Clarence.
Effective April 28, 2025, Route 94 commenced operations in the eastbound and westbound transit lanes on King Street between Ontario and Wellington. This allows Londoners to adjust to King Street operating two-way transit prior to the East Leg of Rapid Transit which is set to commence in 2027.
10.7 – Transit Master Upgrade
In 2024, the Transit Master Automatic Vehicle Location and Communication System (AVLC) was upgraded. The system provides information to Dispatchers and Inspectors with regards to where a bus is at a given time and allows for Operations and Planning staff to review incidents regarding on-time performance, vehicle locations etc. as part of investigations. Additionally, the system allows information for detours, stop closures etc., to be sent to both Operators and the public to advise of service impacts. As part of the Transit Master upgrade, additional functionality for showing detour routings and temporary stop locations on the public facing real-time site were scheduled to be available in the first quarter of 2025. While work is progressing, there are still some features that the vendor is working on before it will be able to be launched to the public. We continue to work closely with the vendor on solutions and anticipate that the updated detour features will be available to the public by the end of the second quarter.
Other – Shelter Glass Pilot
With the increasing amount of vandalism occurring on transit shelters throughout the city, administration has been working with our shelter supplier to identify a possible alternative material that may reduce the amount of glass damage. While it has been suggested in the past that the glass could simply be replaced with an alternative product, testing undertaken by other transit systems in cooperation with the shelter provider have indicated that, depending on the product, additional structural elements may need to be added to the shelter to ensure stability and ensure the new material does not pop out of the frame when pressure is applied.
Recently, two shelters were installed with Hammerglass as a pilot. The new material is a nano surface-treated polycarbonate 300 times stronger than glass and virtually indestructible, and has been confirmed through testing to not require the additional structural elements be added to the shelter frame. The pilot will see the glass installed in the two test locations for approximately one year to see how the material holds up to not only vandalism, but also the elements through all of the varying weather conditions that are experienced in London.
Other – Class Trips on Transit
With the implementation of the Kids Under 12 Ride Free program on August 1, 2017, London Transit connected with both the Thames Valley District School Board as well as the London District Catholic School Board to offer transit as an option for class trips for kids 12 and under and at that time a number of FOBs were provided to each school.
Due to the limited availability of school busing for class trips as well as the cost savings of taking public transit, class trips for kids of all ages have gained popularity with 77 school trips accommodated on transit in 2024 and 41 school trips already taken this year with the busy season for class trips just starting.
In an effort of improving the efficiency at time of boarding, especially when having to tap FOBs for a group of younger children, a new program was rolled out in 2023 which eliminated the use of FOBs for school trips. Teachers are now required to complete and submit a form which includes trip details such as the route, stop locations, time and date of trip they intend to take as well as the number of students 12 years old and under that will be traveling. This form is required two weeks in advance of the trip and the information gathered is then shared with the appropriate Operators for their information. A ‘voucher’ allowing a specific number of children 12 and under to board is then provided to the teacher to show at time of boarding; note that older students and teachers must still pay their ticket fare.
In addition to having shared this information with both school boards, details about the program can be found on London Transit’s website on the ‘Contact Us’ page.
It should be noted that clear communication is shared with teachers at time of contact informing them that additional chaperones are necessary for every class trip as it is likely the group will be separated due to the ongoing crowding issues experienced on most routes at any time of day.
A similar program of providing ‘vouchers’ was rolled out to summer camps in 2024 which saw eight groups take part. Communication directed to summer camps will be rolled out in the coming weeks.
Recommended by:
Katie Burns, Director of Planning
Concurred in by:
Kelly S. Paleczny, General Manager