Staff Report #11
October 19, 2026
To All Commissioners
Re: Draft 2027 Conventional Transit Service Plan
Recommendations
That the Commission:
- APPROVE, in principle, the Draft 2027 Conventional Transit Service Plan;
- DIRECT Administration to finalize and table the Final 2027 Service Plan report and recommendations at the Commission’s January 2027 meeting; and
- DIRECT Administration to forward a copy of the draft service plan report to Members of Council for their information.
Background
At the June 26, 2024 meeting, the Commission approved the Five-Year Service Plan Framework document for service changes over the period of 2025-2029. The framework builds on the work that was completed through the 2020-2024 framework noting, not all proposed changes were implemented due to impacts from COVID-19 as well as changing ridership patterns.
Consistent with past practice, the 2027 draft service planning process takes direction from the recommendations in the 2025-2029 Service Plan Framework, but also includes assessments pertaining to:
- existing service performance issues and demands
- new growth areas
- customer contacts
- Operator, Inspector and Dispatcher feedback
London Transit receives Operator feedback through the established Scheduling and Planning Committee, made up of Operations staff and Administration from Planning and Operations. The purpose of the Committee is to identify and review issues associated with work assignments including relief points, schedules, service levels, routing, etc. Feedback from the committee is assessed and any changes that are cost neutral in nature are implemented for the next signup period. Recommendations that require service hours and/or additional vehicles are reviewed through the annual service planning process and assessed in the same manner as requests from the public.
2027 is the third year of the Five-Year service Plan Framework (2025-2029). The draft 2027 Service Plan sets out the changes that are considered the highest priority, totalling approximately 25,000 hours on an annual basis and requiring three (3) additional peak period buses. Given the 2027 budget, as approved by City Council as part of the multi-year budget process, includes the addition of 18,000 annualized hours, further assessment will be completed to prioritize changes consistent with budget allocations, which will be presented in the final recommended service plan.
Table I below sets out the summary of the draft 2027 Service Plan proposals, including a brief rationale and the source of the proposed change for each.
Table I – Draft 2027 Conventional Transit Service Plan
| Route | Description of Service Change | Annual Service Hours | Peak Buses | Rationale | Service Area Impacted | Recommendation Source |
| 1 | Return to previous routing along South and Grey in both directions | 0 | Operational Efficiency | All service periods | Planning and Scheduling Committee | |
| 3/5 | Remove the interline from the routes | 4,788 | 1 | Reliability | Weekday All periods | Public Feedback/ Planning and Scheduling Committee |
| 1,054 | Reliability | Sunday All periods | Public Feedback/ Planning and Scheduling Committee | |||
| 7 | Extend Service to Cranbrook during all operating periods | 6,340 | 1 | Service Coverage | All Service Periods | 2025-2029 Service Plan- Proposed for implementation in 2027 |
| Start Sunday Service 2 hours earlier | 496 | Service Span | Sunday Early morning | Public Feedback | ||
| 15 | Modify Route to North Talbot via Southdale, eliminate A and B Routing | 6,830 | 1 | Service Coverage | All Service Periods | 2025-2029 Service Plan- Proposed for implementation in 2027 |
| 24 | Realign route to operate along Southdale and Colonel Talbot | 0 | Service Duplication | All Service Periods | 2025-2029 Service Plan- Proposed for implementation in 2028 | |
| 25 | Extension of service related to Assessment Growth on the current portion of the route | 1,436 | Service Coverage | All Service Periods | 2025-2029 Service Plan- Proposed for implementation in 2026 | |
| 27 | Extend the service span during the spring/summer periods to start 1 hour earlier | 90 | Service Span | Weekday early morning | Public Feedback | |
| 33 | Increase the round trip time during the spring/summer periods and increase frequency to 20 minutes | 1,584 | Reliability | All Weekday service periods | Public Feedback | |
| 37 | Extension of service related to Assessment Growth on the current portion of the route | 2,321 | Service Coverage | Weekday Peak Periods | 2025-2029 Service Plan- Proposed for implementation in 2026 | |
| Total | 25,238 | 3 | ||||
A more detailed discussion of each of the proposed changes is provided in Enclosure I. The discussion includes high level consideration of budget implications and provides what is considered to be the most effective and efficient means to resolve each issue.
Outstanding Service Requests
In addition to the proposed changes noted above, London Transit still has over 240,000 hours of outstanding service requests outside of the allocated annual budget (see Enclosure II). Every year, additional requests are received and have to be assessed and prioritized for implementation based on approved budget, proposals included in the 2025-2029 Five-Year Service Plan Framework as well as previously requested changes to determine which changes should be prioritized for a given year.
Other Service Changes
In addition to the changes proposed as part of the 2027 Conventional Service Plan, a number of other service changes are anticipated to be implemented in 2027, each of which is described in greater detail below.
White Oaks Mall
London Transit has recently had conversations with White Oaks Mall with regards to bus operations on property. White Oaks Mall is undergoing significant changes and expansions with new restaurants and retail offerings. As a result, they have requested that buses be moved away from the front of the mall where the current transit platform is located.
After discussions with the mall owners and site visits, it has been determined that the best location for buses on property that fit within expectations of the mall owners is to have two (2) bus stops in front of H&M and space for one bus in front of Maurice’s. Additionally, there will be space for one bus in the exit by Mark’s Work Warehouse. To help facilitate transfers between the stop locations, buses will serve the southbound and northbound centre running RT stations on Wellington Road before and after departing the mall respectively.
Changes to the stop locations are planned to be implemented in early 2027 noting there is no budget impact associated with these changes. Given that work is continuing on the centre running lanes and the shelters have not yet been installed at the stations, initially buses will continue to use the curbside lanes on Wellington before turning into the mall. Once the work on Wellington at the Rapid Transit stations has been completed, buses will be transitioned over to the centre running lanes. Work on the stations is expected to be completed in Spring 2027.
With the new configuration at White Oaks Mall, local routes are able to maintain service on mall property. As such the temporary turn around facility at Holiday and Exeter will not need to be constructed as part of the Rapid Transit project.
Public Engagement
Following the presentation of the Draft 2027 Conventional Transit 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, noting that many of the proposed changes in the 2027 Service Plan have recently been shared through the development of the 2025-2029 Five-Year Service Plan.
The engagement period consists of in-person public information sessions traditionally targeted at neighbourhoods where new service implementation is proposed. Given the significant routing modifications are targeted at the Westmount and North Talbot areas, an in person meeting will be scheduled for this area. Additionally, a session is also traditionally held at the Central Library to ensure central access for anyone wanting to provide feedback on the service changes or other transit concerns.
Public Information Sessions
| Location | Date | Times |
| Central Public Library | Tuesday November 3 | 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8pm |
| StarTech Community Centre | Thursday November 5 | 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8pm |
In addition to the public information sessions, an online survey will be available by the end of October, to collect feedback on all of the proposed service changes. Comments and feedback can also be made by emailing or phoning the customer service line or arranging for a phone meeting with a member of the Planning Department.
Next Steps
London Transit will be promoting the draft service plan, public information sessions and online survey through the corporate website, social media, onboard posters and stop level notices in affected areas.
Over the coming months, staff will further assess the identified priorities and refine the recommended service changes to be included in the final 2027 Conventional Service Plan.
As referenced, the final recommendations respecting the 2027 Conventional Service Plan will be presented to the Commission for approval at the January 2027 meeting, and will be consistent with the allocated 18,000 annualized service hours available.
Consistent with the recommendations, this report will be shared with all Members of Council.
Enclosures
I – Draft 2027 Conventional Transit Service Plan Changes
II – Conventional Transit Service – Outstanding Improvements
Recommended by:
Katie Burns, Director of Planning
Concurred in by:
Kelly S. Paleczny, General Manager