Staff Report #1
August 27, 2025
To All Commissioners
Re: 2025 Work Program – Second Quarter Update
Recommendation
The report be RECEIVED for information.
Background
The Commission’s Business Planning Process includes the development of annual work programs which include initiatives intended to advance the business of the organization with a focus on the strategic objectives of the Business Plan. The Annual Work Program initiatives are grouped by Strategic Objective, and include priority, timelines and designated lead personnel for each initiative.
At the end of each quarter, department Directors provide update reports for the Commission on the initiatives that were intended to be completed within the previous quarter. These reports include reference to the Work Program initiative number for ease of tracking. Enclosure I provides a summary of the Work Program initiatives intended to be completed within the second quarter of the year as well as reference to where updates on each initiative can be found. In the cases where specific reports have previously been provided on an initiative, the Enclosure references the previous report and no further commentary is provided in the quarterly update. In the case where updates are provided on this agenda, reference is included to the specific Staff Report.
The remainder of this report provides commentary with respect to the initiatives that are listed as ongoing or new in nature and do not have associated timelines or specific projects associated with them.
3.5 – City of London – London Transit Reviews
London Transit administration is working with civic administration as required during the scheduled reviews to provide data and/or respond to queries. To date, data requests and questions have been limited to the Route Planning and Rapid Transit Readiness review, all of which have been responded to. Given there were no dates associated with these reviews when the 2025 Work Program was prepared and approved, they were recorded as TBD on the work plan, and updates will be provided as the various reviews proceed.
4.8 – Regular Consultation with Accessible Public Transit Service Advisory Committee
The Accessible Public Transit Service Advisory Committee establishes a regular meeting schedule at the beginning of each year and administration works with Committee members to gather feedback with respect to the accessibility of public transit services and facilities. Recommendations from the Committee are tabled with the Commission as they arise. Meeting agendas and minutes are posted on the corporate website.
5.3 – Participation on City of London EOCG
London Transit administration participates at the regular scheduled EOCG meetings as well as in the planning of the annual emergency exercise. Additionally, administration participates in special meetings related to events that occur in the city throughout the year that may impact transit services.
8.1 – Ontario Public Transit Association (OPTA) Membership
London Transit administration is represented on the Board of Directors of OPTA, and are also active participants in the various OPTA Committees (Human Resources & Operations, Planning & Scheduling, Marketing, Maintenance, Customer Service and Labour Relations, etc.). Participation in this Association allows for the sharing of lessons learned and best practices across the Province.
OPTA also undertakes advocacy with the Ontario provincial government with respect to funding and legislative issues impacting public transit services. OPTA is currently undertaking a member survey to confirm the major issues facing transit systems noting the feedback from the survey will be incorporated into the messaging that will be shared at the annual advocacy day, which will be held at Queens Park in December. Further details with respect to the advocacy day messaging will be provided in future update reports as it becomes available.
8.2 – Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) Membership
London Transit administration is represented on the Board of Directors of CUTA, and are also active participants in the various CUTA Committees (Workforce Development, Technical Services, Advocacy and Government Relations, Zero-Emission Bus, Labour Relations, etc.). Participation in this Association allows for the sharing of lessons learned and best practices across the country. CUTA works closely with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to ensure alignment on issues where applicable.
CUTA undertakes advocacy with the Federal government with respect to funding and legislative issues impacting public transit services. In 2025, focus will be directed at ensuring the Canadian Public Transit Fund remains intact post-election, and is rolled out as prescribed by the previous government (baseline funding begins in 2026), and continued efforts to maintain exemptions for the bus manufacturing sector from retaliatory tariffs. The CUTA Bus Manufacturing Taskforce continues its work to develop a series of recommendations intended to address concerns relating to pricing and delivery timeframes for buses in the Canadian marketplace.
From a legislative perspective, CUTA will continue to advocate for a change to section 269.01 of the Criminal Code, which currently states that when a court sentences an offender for an offence involving a public transit operator, it must consider the fact that the victim was engaged in the performance of their duty as a public transit operator as an aggravating circumstance. Given there are numerous other roles in public transit agencies where an employee could be a victim, CUTA is advocating for “public transit operator” to be amended to “public transit worker”.
CUTA will be holding its annual advocacy day and Policy Forum on September 16 and 17 in Ottawa.
8.3 – Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC) Membership
London Transit is a member of CUTRIC and participates in a number of their committees and working groups, primarily relating to new bus technologies (Electric and Hydrogen Fuel Cell). In addition to providing a forum to share lessons learned and best practices with respect to new and evolving technologies, CUTRIC also undertakes advocacy at both Provincial and Federal levels with respect to funding to support bus fleet transitions.
10.14 – Zero Emission Bus Implementation Strategy
London Transit is participating in a joint procurement for a turn-key solution for the supply and installation of up to ten electric buses, five depot chargers and one opportunity charger. The request for proposal opened in June, and is set to close mid October noting a recent request for extension to the original closing date in September was granted. Following the close, participants in the joint procurement will assess the bids and select a winning bid. Based on the known timelines, it is anticipated that a report will be tabled with the Commission in January 2026 seeking approval for a contract award, following which a contract will be finalized. Until such time as the contract is awarded, it is not possible to determine a delivery date for the buses and related infrastructure, however based on current delivery timelines being experienced, it is anticipated that delivery will be 18-24 months from date of purchase order. Retrofits at the Wonderland facility will be undertaken in 202/27 to provide the ability to service and maintain the new buses.
10.16 – Highbury Facility Reconstruction Project
The request for proposal for a Consulting Engineer/Architect to act as the Prime Consultant for the demolition and replacement of the Highbury Transit Facility is current open. The stipulated closing date is September 19, 2025, subsequent to which all bids will be evaluated. A recommendation for contract award is anticipated to be tabled at the October 27, 2025 Commission meeting.
The anticipated timelines for this project are set out below:
Award of Prime Consultant Contract – October 2025
Schematic Design Phase – November 2025 – December 2026
Construction Documents Phase – January 2027 – June 2027
Construction Procurement Phase – July 2027 – October 2027
Construction Start – January 2028
Substantial Completion – December 2031
Bidders are asked to provide their estimated timelines for each phase as part of the bid document. The details of the recommended bid will be set out in the staff report recommending a contract award.
Other – Community Partnerships
While not an explicit item on the Commission Work Program, working with community partners to encourage the use of public transit to attend local events is an ongoing activity. This year, London Transit has partnered with Western Fair on a program that will provide fair attendees with free transit rides to and from the fair with the presentation of a pre-paid fair ticket. This program will be in place for the duration of the Fair (September 5-14). Communications regarding this program will be undertaken by both Western Fair and London Transit through various channels.
Enclosure
I – 2025 Work Program – Second Quarter Update
Recommended by:
Kelly S. Paleczny, General Manager