Committee Report
To: Warden McQueen and Members of Grey County Council Council Date: April 9, 2020 Subject / Report No: CAOR-CW-05-20 Title: Community Transportation Budget Presentation and Service Level Options Prepared by: Stephanie Stewart, Manager, Community Transportation Reviewed by: Kim Wingrove, CAO Lower Tier(s) Affected: Grey County wide Status: Recommendation 1. That report CAOR-CW-05-20 Community Transportation Budget and Service Level Presentation be received, and; 2. That County Council provide direction on the transportation schedule and required investment, and; 3. That staff finalize the First Student contract, and; 4. That County Council provide direction regarding implementation of service on Grey Road 4. Executive Summary Grey County staff have completed procurement for drivers and vehicles. This report compares costs of varying levels of service from the minimum required to meet the grant requirements to an optimal level to maximize service utility. Council direction on service investments beyond the minimum are required.
April 9, 2020
Background and Discussion On May 23rd, 2019 Grey County was pleased to received funding from the Provincial Government to enhance transportation for all resident. Grey County in partnership with the Township of Southgate received approximately $2.3 million in funding.
On July 2nd, 2019 staff began engaging stakeholders to gain a comprehensive understanding of the unique needs of the residents in Grey County. On August 23rd, 2019, Grey County released a Negotiated RFP seeking a transportation service provider to develop an innovative “Made in Grey” solution. Staff had numerous conversations with the top RFP respondent, however, staff concluded that it would not be in the best interest of Grey County to contract the entire service out to, due to cost and reduced control measures.
On December 6th, 2019, a Grey Transit Route survey was distributed for public input. The survey was available for a month and received responses from 1037 individuals living in Grey, Bruce and Dufferin County. From this survey staff learned that respondents were looking to travel for employment and entertainment purposes.
On January 9th, 2020 staff presented County Council with an overview of the preliminary options for a proposed transit system. County Council provided staff with feedback and asked staff to revise the schedules and adjust the budget to reflect a more accurate cost, and potential expenditure offsets. Staff investigated the costs associated with implementing an additional transit route along Grey Road 4 between Durham, Hanover and Walkerton, and an on-demand system like the Wellington County Model. Additionally, on January 9th, County Council approved a single source with First Student to provide transit operators.
On February 27th, 2020, County Council authorized the lease of six Elkhart Coach buses from Overland Custom Coach. Grey County staff visited Overland Custom Coach on March 17th to select the buses for the Grey Transit Route.
Since staff presented to Council on January 9th, staff now know the costs associated with drivers and maintenance. Grey County will pay First Student an average of $68 to $80 per hour. The expenses paid to First Student include:
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Standard Inclusions:
Driver (recruitment, training, coaching, operation, safety updates, benefits etc.) Deadhead time and distance — up to 5 kms one way Pre and Post Trip Inspections Fueling Cleaning Vehicle Maintenance — including fluid top ups and changes on a new vehicle Dispatch, Safety and Mechanical Support during your hours of operation Certificate of Insurance — standard liability etc.
Inclusions that will increase our cost:
Warrantee repair management Installation of technology Additional deadhead time and distance can be reflecting a higher rate specific to that route or can be blended into the overall rate Fare management Indoor parking requirements Spare vehicles
Additionally, the cost of leasing buses has been determined, each bus lease will cost $2.539 per month, this includes:
Ford E450 Chassis Capacity of 21 riders plus standees 2 Personal Mobility Device Seats AODA Compliance 6.8L Gasoline Engine Automatic Transmission 225-amp alternator (2) 770 CCA Amp batteries LT225/75R16 Tires 55 Gallon Fuel Tank Capacity Driver Air Bags Available Air Conditioning and Heat Ramp Capacity 1000lb lift 5 year / 160,000 km limited warranty on Bus body. OEM Ford Warranty on chassis is (5) Year / 100,000 km Powertrain, (3) year / 60,000 km Basic AUTOMATIC Passenger Voice Announcement System with Next Stop request system Fiberglass exterior body skin LED Lighting Full Steel Cage Passenger Safety Structure System Front and Side Electronic Destination Sign
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Overhead Grab Rails powder coated yellow, Parallel entry grab rails powder coated yellow Driver and passenger side stanchion with modesty panel Electric Entry Door Upgraded Rear Suspension to Mor/Ryde, Heated Mirrors Unlimited Kilometers
This report presents three options for Council consideration. County Council should be aware of the potential risks associated with implementing a transit system. Currently user behaviour/ridership is unknown, and the County could make a substantial investment without significant ridership, for long periods while residents are learning about the available transit options. Engagement with experienced, established transit agencies, shows that users will become reliant on a transit service and it will be unpopular to discontinue service. The following report was developed based on the level of service the majority of survey respondents feel would be optimal.
April 9, 2020
Full Service Staff reviewed feedback from County Council, community stakeholders, survey respondents, municipal partners and employers to design a thoughtful and effective transit system. Staff considered shift start and end times, Georgian College class start times, evening entertainment at Blue Mountain Village, connections to Owen Sound Transit, Greyhound, City of Guelph, Orangeville Transit, Go Transit, Simcoe County Linx and Colltrans.
The first route would operate along Highway 26 from Owen Sound to the Town of The Blue Mountains, five days a week, Tuesday to Saturday. Staff are recommending operating Tuesday to Saturday as these are the busiest days for commercial and tourist activity. Additionally, many businesses are closed in Meaford and Thornbury on Monday. Staff are suggesting operating additional trips on Friday and Saturday evenings to provide residents with access to employment and entertainment at Blue Mountain.
The second suggested route would operate along Highway 10 from Owen Sound to Orangeville, five days a week Monday to Friday. Buses will depart Owen Sound at appropriate times to ensure riders can arrive on time for employment in Grey Highlands or continue travelling to Dundalk, Shelburne and Orangeville.
The third route would operate along Highway 6 from Owen Sound to Wiarton, three days a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Staff will re-evaluate ridership regularly to determine if an increase of service is needed, as well, staff will look for future partnerships with South Bruce Peninsula to extend the route to Sauble Beach during the summer months.
A full-service option will eventually require additional resources for scheduling, customer service, communications and ridership engagement, which will add to future costs.
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Full Service
Operating Trips per Annual Route Service Cost per trip Cost per day Days Day Surplus/Deficit
Tuesday to Six trips Saturday per day Highway 26 Five days $168.94 $1,520.42 Owen Sound a week Friday & Three to Meaford Saturday evening Evening trips Service $ (378,005.06) Tuesday to Four trips Saturday Highway 26 per day
Five days Meaford to $168.94 $1,013.61 a week Friday & Blue Two Saturday Mountains evening Evening trips Service
Highway 10 Five days Monday to Four trips $353.54 $1,414.17 $ (184,101.45) Owen Sound a week Friday per day to Dundalk
Highway 10 Five days Monday to Four trips $227.17 $908.69 $ (45,955.16) Dundalk to a week Friday per day Orangeville
Highway 6 Three Monday, Two trips days a Wednesday $374.93 $749.87 $ 40,783.09 Owen Sound per day to Wiarton week and Friday
Total Annual Surplus/Deficit $ (383,177.14)
Total Potential Annual Fare Box Revenue $ 314,600.00
Net Surplus/Deficit $ (68,577.14)
Annual anticipated cost on April 1, 2023 $ (1,051,915.50)
Full-Service Benefits Highway 26 – Owen Sound to Blue Mountains
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o Friday and Saturday Evening Service, which is most useful for employment and tourism users. o Two additional day time trips Highway 10 – Owen Sound to Dundalk o One additional trip per day
Procurement for the Grey Transit Route was finalized after the 2020 budget was adopted. Implementation of a Full Service would require $ 383,177.14, to be drawn from a one-time reserve for 2020 and built into the budget for 2021 and 2022. Basic Service A basic service level will deliver a sufficient service to the residents of Grey County, however, compared to a full service, this option removes Friday and Saturday evening service and has fewer trips per day. Removing evening service and reducing trips will create a barrier for riders, as survey respondents expressed the need for transit in the evening to access employment and entertainment.
Basic Service
Operating Trips per Cost per Cost per Annual Route Service Days Day trip day Surplus/Deficit
Highway 26 Five days Tuesday to Four trips $244.96 $979.85 Owen Sound to a week Saturday per day Meaford
Highway 26 $ (228,677.15) Five days Tuesday to Four trips Meaford to $244.96 $979.85 Blue a week Saturday per day Mountains
Highway 10 Three Five days Monday to trips per $390.92 $1,172.76 $ (122,245.31) Owen Sound to a week Friday Dundalk day
Highway 10 Five days Monday to Four trips $227.17 $908.69 $ (45,955.16) Dundalk to a week Friday per day Orangeville
Highway 6 Three Monday, Two trips days a Wednesday $374.93 $749.87 $ 40,783.09 Owen Sound to per day Wiarton week and Friday
Total Annual Surplus/Deficit $ (233,849.22)
April 9, 2020
Total Potential Annual Fare Box Revenue $ 210,600.00
Net Surplus/Deficit $ (23,249.22)
Annual anticipated cost on April 1, 2023 $ (902,587.58)
Basic Service Benefits Highway 26 – Owen Sound to Blue Mountains o Two additional trips per day Highway 10 – Owen Sound to Dundalk o One additional trip per day Highway 10 – Dundalk to Orangeville o Two additional trips per day
Procurement for the Grey Transit Route was finalized after the 2020 budget was adopted. Implementation of a Basic Service would require $ 233,849.22, to be drawn from a one-time reserve for 2020 and built into the budget for 2021 and 2022.
Funding Opportunities Potential funding opportunities to increase revenue/offset expenditures are as follows:
Federal and Provincial gas tax funding o Transit agencies throughout Ontario are investing their gas tax funding to improve transit in their communities; for example: o The City of Mississauga invested their gas tax funding to replace, platforms, roofs and ramps at various transit facilities. o The City of Brampton invested their gas tax funding to upgrade transit scheduling software, automated vehicle maintenance monitoring system, and refurbish buses. o The City of Kingston invested their gas tax funding to complete a downtown terminal feasibility study and construction. Financial contributions from Grey County member municipalities Financial contributions from Bruce and Dufferin County Commercial sponsorship On vehicle advertising Employer fare contributions Fare box revenue
Full Service
Trips per Revenue Revenue Annual Route Riders Fare day per day per week revenue
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Highway 26 10 $5.00 9 $450.00 $2,250.00 $117,000.00 Owen Sound to Meaford
Highway 26
Meaford to 10 $5.00 6 $300.00 $1,500.00 $78,000.00
Blue Mountains
Highway 10 10 $5.00 4 $200.00 $1,000.00 $52,000.00 Owen Sound to Dundalk
Highway 10 10 $5.00 4 $200.00 $1,000.00 $52,000.00 Dundalk to Orangeville
Highway 6 10 $3.00 2 $60.00 $300.00 $15,600.00 Owen Sound to Wiarton
Total potential annual revenue $314,600.00
o The below chart demonstrates potential fare box revenue
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Basic Service
Trips per Revenue Revenue Annual Route Riders Fare day per day per week revenue
Highway 26 10 $5.00 4 $200.00 $1,000.00 $52,000.00 Owen Sound to Meaford
Highway 26
Meaford to 10 $5.00 4 $200.00 $1,000.00 $52,000.00
Blue Mountains
Highway 10 10 $5.00 3 $150.00 $750.00 $39,000.00 Owen Sound to Dundalk
Highway 10 10 $5.00 4 $200.00 $1,000.00 $52,000.00 Dundalk to Orangeville
Highway 6 10 $3.00Grant Service2 $60.00 $300.00 $15,600.00 Owen Sound to Wiarton Trips per Revenue Revenue Annual Route Riders Fare Total potential annual revenueday per day per week $210,600.00revenue
Highway 26 10 $5.00 2 $100.00 $500.00 $26,000.00 Owen Sound to Meaford
Highway 26
Meaford to 10 $5.00 2 $100.00 $500.00 $26,000.00
Blue Mountains
Highway 10 10 $5.00 2 $100.00 $500.00 $26,000.00 Owen Sound to Dundalk
Highway 10 10 $5.00 2 $100.00 $500.00 $26,000.00 Dundalk to Orangeville
Highway 6 10 $3.00 2 $60.00 $300.00 $15,600.00 Owen Sound to Wiarton
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Total potential annual revenue $119,600.00
Grant Service In order to fulfil the requirements of the grant, Grey County is required to operate a conventional transit system twice a day with schedule routes and stops. Routes operating on Highway 26 and 10 are required to operate five days per week, while the Highway 6 route from Owen Sound to Wiarton is required to operate three days per week. A service funded solely by the Grant will provide residents of Grey County with a basic level of service, providing one trip in the morning and one trip in the evening along each route. Although the service will be basic, a minimal level of service could be delivered with little to no financial impact on taxpayers.
Staff are optimistic that ridership will be established, however, it is known that a system needs to be reliable, convenient and frequent, and serve a need to be successful. If a minimal service level is implemented, low ridership may occur due to infrequent service. While transit is an expensive service the positive social and economic benefits are extensive.
Grant Service
Operating Trips per Cost per Annual Route Service Cost per day Days Day trip Surplus/Deficit
Highway 26 Two Five days a Monday to trips per $308.84 $617.69 Owen Sound week Friday to Meaford day
Highway 26 $ (40,353.68) Two Five days a Monday to Meaford to trips per $308.84 $617.69 week Friday Blue day Mountains
Highway 10 Two Five days a Monday to trips per $197.48 $394.97 $ 75,759.84 Owen Sound week Friday to Dundalk day
Highway 10 Two Five days a Monday to trips per $369.28 $738.57 $ (1,724.50) Dundalk to week Friday Orangeville day
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Highway 6 Monday, Two Three days Wednesday trips per $223.97 $447.94 $ 40,996.10 Owen Sound a week to Wiarton and Friday day
Total Annual Surplus/Deficit $ 74,677.76
Total Potential Annual Fare Box Revenue $ 119,600.00
Net Surplus/Deficit $ 194,277.76
Annual anticipated cost on April 1, 2023 $ (775,470.23)
Implementation of Transit Route along Grey Road 4 In consultation with Hanover and West Grey, staff learned that residents in West Grey access a variety of medical, employment and recreational services offered in Hanover and Walkerton. Residents with no access to a vehicle rely on family/friends or use alternative types of transportation. Staff learned about the positive environmental impacts that could be achieved by offering transit during peak travel times, as many resident’s commute to work along Grey Road 4, between West Grey, Hanover and Walkerton.
As per County Council’s direction staff have considered a route on Grey Road 4. It is the recommendation of staff to implement a route running between West Grey, Hanover and Walkerton. If County Council would like a route developed along Grey Road 4 staff would recommend that the route be implemented as the fourth phase of the Grey Transit Route, once all provincial grant requirements have been achieved. An alternative option to a conventional transit route would be an on-demand model like Uber or RIDE WELL.
Operating Trips per Cost per Cost per Annual Route Service Days Day trip day Surplus/Deficit
Full Service
Highway 4 Five days Monday to Four trips Durham to a week Friday per day Walkerton $187.20 $1,123.18 $ (292,025.61) Highway 4 Five days Monday to Two trips Flesherton a week Friday per day Extension
Basic Service
Highway 4 Two days Tuesday & Four trips $147.08 $882.51 $ (91,780.96) Durham to a week Thursday per day Walkerton
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Highway 4 Two days Tuesday & Two trips Flesherton a week Thursday per day Extension
Full-Service Benefits Service five days per week Dedicated vehicle for Grey Road 4
Basic Service Benefits Vehicle lease/purchase is not required as a vehicle can be shared with Highway 6. Implementation of an On-Demand Transit System The benefit of an on-demand or “uber” type system is flexible travel times, various pick up and drop off locations, and lower fares as riders will often share their rider with a fellow passenger. Sustaining an on- demand system is very challenging in large sparsely populated areas like Grey County.
Grey County staff connected with Wellington County to learn about the initial successes, challenges and early wins of the RIDE WELL pilot. Wellington County shared that traditional communication has seen the greatest return on investment, and it is challenging to meet the requests and needs of all riders. Having access to accurate and valuable data is key to understanding the rider and it takes time to build ridership.
The development of an on-demand system would be of benefit to many Grey County residents. The costs associated with operating an on-demand transit system would include a one-time set up fee of $25,000, an annual Project fee: $ 48,000 and a Per vehicle fee: $2.00 – $ 2.50 per day. It is important to note that staff wages and vehicle costs have not been included. Wellington County’s RIDE WELL transit system is using four door sedan vehicles with a maximum capacity of four passengers and one driver. RIDE WELL fares are charged per person. Fares are set at $0.60 per kilometer, with a minimum fare of $5.00 and a maximum fare of $40.00 each way. Next Steps Upon County Council direction staff will continue implementing an advertising and marketing plan to inform residents of the upcoming transit network. Staff will continue working with First Student to establish standard operating procedures and set service level expectations. Legal and Legislated Requirements Upon County Council direction, staff will establish an MOU with Southgate to give Grey County authority to execute the Provincial Grant and deliver a service on Southgate’s behalf. Staff will finalize contract
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terms with First Student, establishing standard operating procedures and service level, driver status and cancellation terms. Financial and Resource Implications Upon County Council direction, staff will finalize all necessary financial matters to ensure a smooth delivery of service. Relevant Consultation Grey County Legislative Services, Finance Department & Transportation Services
Grey County and City of Owen Sound Accessibility Committees
Grey County
Municipality of Chatsworth Municipality of Georgian Bluffs Municipality of Grey Highlands Municipality of Southgate Municipality of West Grey Municipality of Meaford The Town of Blue Mountains The Town of Hanover City of Owen Sound
Bruce County
Municipality of South Bruce Peninsula Municipality of North Bruce Peninsula
Dufferin County
Town of Orangeville Town of Shelburne
Simcoe County Appendices and Attachments https://docs.grey.ca/alfresco/aos/Sites/grey- county/documentLibrary/Projects/Community%20Transportation%20Grant/Reports%20to%20Council/ March%2026,%202020%20Council%20Presentation.pptx
April 9, 2020