Cps-2-2020-1

70 PINE STREET, BRACEBRIDGE, ONTARIO P1L 1N3 Telephone (705) 645-2231 / Fax (705) 645-5319 / 1-800-461-4210 (705 area code) www.muskoka.on.ca

To: Chair and Members Community and Planning Services Committee

From: Jacquie Evans Transportation Network Coordinator

Summer Valentine Director of Planning

Date: February 20, 2020

Subject: Five Year Transportation Needs Assessment and Growth and Sustainability Plan – Project Update

Report: CPS-2-2020-1

Recommendation

This report is provided for information.

Origin

Following successful applications to the Community Transportation Grant and Ontario Gas Tax funding programs, the Five Year Transportation Needs Assessment and Growth and Sustainability Plan project was initiated with the goal of creating a community transportation network that effectively serves Muskoka, with a focus on vulnerable residents. To that end and to ensure the available funding is spent efficiently, an external consultant was retained to assess transportation needs and challenges and to recommend solutions. The project is now at the point where the consultant is seeking additional feedback from stakeholders and the Community and Planning Services (CPS) Committee on potential transportation options before finalizing their report and recommendations.

Background information can be found in Report CPS-11-2019-7, and a summary of transportation funding sources currently being received by The District Municipality of Muskoka (the District) is included in Appendix “I”.

Background

Funding in the amount of $674,382 was secured through a Community Transportation Grant from the Ministry of Transportation. Total funding for community transportation initiatives also includes Provincial Gas Tax Funds and District contributions. The Community Transportation Grant is to be flowed from 2019-2023, and the other funding sources may vary annually depending on a variety of factors but are anticipated to be approximately $110,600 per year.

Page 1

The Community Transportation Grant included approximately $60,000 to hire a qualified third party consultant. A Request for Proposals was released in July 2019, and the Transportation Consulting Network (TCN) was the successful bidder. The firm has extensive experience in developing rural transportation solutions including the Transit Needs Assessment and Ridership Growth Plan for the Town of Huntsville, the Public Transit Plan and Business Case for the County of Prince Edward, and the Greater Sudbury Transit Action Plan, to name a few.

The consulting team was asked to address the following six key areas including:

1. Individual Transportation Solutions; 2. Accessible Rural Transportation Solutions; 3. Provision of East-West Connectivity; 4. Expansion of the Inter-Community Corridor 11 Bus; 5. Seamless Transportation Networks in Muskoka; and 6. Long-Term Growth and Financial Sustainability.

The consultant began work on the Community Transportation Plan project on September 12, 2019. The project includes three phases:

• Phase 1: Review Existing Transit Services and Best Practices; • Phase 2: Identify Preferred Transportation Options; and • Phase 3: Develop Transit Ridership Growth and Sustainability Plan.

Analysis

Below is a summary of the work completed for the Community Transportation Plan project to date.

Phase 1

TCN conducted background research to understand the history of public transportation in Muskoka, including what projects and programs exist today or have been tried in the past, which have been successful, and what lessons have been learned. Service delivery models that have been used in other rural areas were also reviewed to understand best practices and determine which options could be considered and effectively implemented in the District.

Next, TCN undertook extensive community engagement, including building awareness of the project and gathering input from the general public, Corridor 11 Bus passengers, staff, stakeholders, and agency leaders to assess community travel needs and existing system issues and opportunities. The consultant’s primary goal was to gain a clear understanding of stakeholder priorities and challenges. The community engagement process consisted of focus groups, an online community-wide survey, a meeting with existing transit service providers, one-on-one consultations with various stakeholders, and interviews with current Corridor 11 Bus users. Key themes that emerged from these consultations are summarized below, with further details in Appendices “II” to “V”.

Key themes emerging from results of all Community Engagement activities:

• Stronger transit links within and beyond the District of Muskoka are needed • A rural transportation program should have longer service hours and be more flexible than previous Muskoka Extended Transit (MET) service • Use of accessible vehicles to ensure accessibility across the transportation network is preferred • Consideration should be given to having the Corridor 11 Bus turn around in Orillia versus Barrie Page 2 • Southwestern Muskoka residents need connections to Midland and Orillia and the remainder of the District needs connections to towns currently served by Corridor 11 Bus • Use of public transit to reduce demand on volunteer-based services was seen as positive • Branding and marketing of all public transportation services available should be enhanced • Consider one District of Muskoka Transit agency that would assume responsibility for long- distance and local transit/specialized transit services District-wide, including the existing systems in Bracebridge and Huntsville

Phase 2

The District currently does not have a specific policy framework in place to guide community transportation programming. Part of this project requires TCN to draft a policy framework based on community priorities and best practices from similar municipalities, which will assist in articulating where, when, and how services would be provided. It would also include vision and mission statements, goals, objectives, service standards, and other policies, such as an accessibility policy and fare structures based on the recommended service delivery options.

Based on the analysis and results of their research and extensive community engagement initiatives, TCN has evaluated various transportation service delivery options that would address the six key areas outlined above, including improvements to the Corridor 11 Bus service and options for transportation services in the District’s rural areas. Focus group participants and other individuals and stakeholders who have expressed interest in this transportation project have been invited to a focus group follow-up session the morning of February 20, 2020. Following the stakeholder meeting, Committee members will be invited to comment on the service delivery options at their regularly scheduled meeting on February 20, 2020. At both meetings TCN will present the results of the community engagement initiatives as well as the different transportation programs being considered and request feedback on the proposed concepts and routes.

Next Steps

Phase 3

TCN will summarize feedback from stakeholders and the CPS Committee in the Community Transportation Plan and will use the feedback to assist in formulating their final recommendations for transportation services in the District. This Plan would include a comprehensive five-year transit operating plan and preliminary budget estimates based on the recommended transportation programs. The report will be presented to the CPS Committee along with staff recommendations for coordinated, new, expanded, or altered transportation programming in the short (i.e. to the end of the Community Transportation Grant Funding time period) and longer terms.

Staff also recognize that it would be beneficial to maintain open communication channels with key stakeholders and community groups to jointly identify challenges, opportunities, and actions needed to implement TCN’s Plan and help ensure Muskoka residents benefit from a seamless, sustainable transportation network. Staff will consider the most effective methods for accomplishing these objectives and include possible options in future recommendations to CPS Committee.

In addition, staff are currently exploring potential additional funding opportunities through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund and will actively follow-up on other future opportunities as these are identified.

Delivery of the final Community Transportation Plan is anticipated in late Spring of 2020.

Page 3 Financial Considerations

The budget for the consultant’s report is $59,865 plus HST, funded through the Community Transportation Grant allocation.

Communications

Completed and anticipated communications are summarized in the above sections of this report. The final Community Transportation Plan will also be posted on the Transportation page of the Engage Muskoka website and provided to focus group participants and other key stakeholders.

Strategic Priorities

Click on icons below to view strategies under each priority area:

s. 5.1, 5.3, 5.9

Respectfully submitted,

Original signed by Original signed by

Jacquie Evans Samantha Hastings Transportation Network Coordinator Commissioner of Community and Planning Services

Original signed by

Summer Valentine Director of Planning

Page 4 Appendix “I”

Summary of Transportation Funding Sources

Community Transportation Grant

In May 2018, report CS-5-2018-3 first notified the former Community Services Committee that the submission to the Community Transportation Grant Program through the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) had been successful. Due to delays at the Province, project timelines shifted, and in July 2019, Report CPS-14-2019-2 to the Community and Planning Services (CPS) Committee delegated staff authority to enter into the necessary agreements to implement the Community Transportation Grant projects.

The Community Transportation Grant period spans from 2019 to 2023 and includes funding up to $674,382 that is divided between intercommunity and local transportation projects.

Intercommunity (Long Distance) Transportation Funding

The District was allocated an estimated $283,276 for intercommunity transportation projects, which is primarily for operational funding for the Corridor 11 Bus over the next four years. In an effort to help ensure sustainability of this important transit service, confirmation that the District was contracting the most economical transportation service available was sought. A Request for Proposal for the Operation of the Corridor 11 Bus (RFP 19-630200-01) was initiated, and Hammond Transportation, who has operated the Corridor 11 Bus since 2012, was the successful proponent. Staff are currently working on finalizing a new Transit Service Agreement with Hammond Transportation, which, if fully executed, would expire December 31, 2024. As part of this Agreement, Hammond would purchase a fully accessible vehicle to be used for the service.

Local Transportation Funding

Local transportation was allocated a larger portion of the Community Transportation Grant funds at an estimated $391,106 which is intended to move people east and west within Muskoka, ensure there is seamless service between District transportation initiatives and neighbouring transit systems, and provide effective transportation services to those with mobility challenges and other individuals who need them.

Ontario’s Dedicated Gas Tax Funds for Public Transportation

The District qualifies for Provincial Gas Tax funding. The funding program and requirements are described in detail in report CPS-4-2019-4. The fund’s primary purpose is to provide provincial funding to Ontario municipalities to support local public transportation solutions. Gas Tax funding cannot be spent on the same activities as the Community Transportation Grant (i.e. the funds to not “stack”). However, the Gas Tax funds could be spent on the same initiative, but a different activity. For example, as noted above, the Community Transportation Grant would support the ongoing operation of the Corridor 11 Bus. In that case, the Gas Tax funds could not be used for operation but could be used for expansion efforts of the Corridor 11 system. In addition, the Gas Tax funds can be put into reserves for use at a later date, whereas the Community Transportation Grant money must be spent within the four year timeframe outlined by the Province. The 2020 Gas Tax allocation is estimated to be $60,000.

District Contribution

The District’s Community Transportation 2020 Tax Supported Budget provides for a total contribution of $50,750.

Appendix “II”

Transit Focus Groups

TCN facilitated four focus groups on October 7, 2019 with various stakeholders including: • District Program Staff from Community and Planning Services, Health Services, and The Pines • Allied Agencies including external community service agencies such as Red Cross, YWCA, women’s shelters and services, and the Canadian Cancer Society • Economic Development Staff from area municipalities • Representatives from Tourism, Employment, Small Businesses, and Large Employers

A total of 34 individuals attended, excluding District and Consulting staff involved with the study. The purposes of the focus group format were to familiarize community stakeholders with the Community Transportation Plan project, enable the consulting team to more fully understand transportation issues and opportunities in Muskoka, and identify community transit priorities based on their respective needs.

Key messages and themes that emerged, in order of most common to least common, included: • Better connections to the Corridor 11 Bus are needed; • Better connections between communities are needed; • Rural areas need service; • Past Muskoka Extended Transit (MET) service faced challenges due to limited service hours and bus stops were difficult to access; • Longer service hours needed; • Stakeholders (i.e. District program staff, allied agencies staff, and employers) would be willing to refer more clients/people to transit if expanded services better accommodated people’s needs in terms of trip times, routes, and pick up and drop off locations; • Focus on serving vulnerable populations (i.e. many lower income families and seniors live outside of towns due to more affordable housing); • Improved transportation could help more people gain and keep employment; • Labour shortage faced by many employers, and lack of transportation is one cause (i.e. taxis and shuttle busses being used to help employees get to work, many employees rely on peers to get to work, which is not reliable); • Marketing of transportation services should be improved; • Honey Harbour and Port Severn residents need to get to Midland, and others in the northwest end of the District need to get to Parry Sound; • Fixed flex-route concept supported; • Need local service in Gravenhurst; and • Employers need weekend service as weekends are busy in tourism and hospitality industries.

One-on-One Consultations

Various stakeholders were individually consulted during the community engagement process, including two focus group attendees, some of the transit service providers, a taxi provider, a representative of the Muskoka Home Builder’s Association, and a resident with specialized transit needs. The purpose of these conversations was to follow up on previous discussions and ensure the issues being identified were clearly understood by the consulting team.

Appendix “III”

Community-Wide Survey Results Summary

An on-line survey was developed and posted over a three week period by District staff on the Engage Muskoka web page. The survey was advertised to community members and stakeholders through several different channels: • A referral post card was developed and copies were provided to focus group participants to distribute to their constituents; and • Notices were posted on buses, at bus shelters, area municipality websites, local print media, and social media.

A hard-copy paper version was also created for residents who were unable to access the online survey. Copies of the paper survey were distributed through various programs and were also distributed to Corridor 11 Bus riders by the bus driver. A total of 589 survey responses were received. A detailed summary of results follows.

Q1 In which municipality do you live?

200 168

147

127 150

100 60

41 36 50 10

Question options Township of Georgian Bay Township of Muskoka Lakes Township of Lake of Bays Town of Huntsville Town of Bracebridge Town of Gravenhurst Other (please specify)

Optional question (585 responses, 4 skipped)

Q2 Please indicate if you live in or close to one of the following communities:

Question options Port Severn MacTier Honey Harbour Other community in Georgian Bay (please specify)

Optional question (10 responses, 579 skipped)

Q3 Please indicate if you live in or close to one of the following communities:

20 19

14 13

Question options Port Carling Bala Windermere Milford Bay Minett Torrance Foot's Bay Glen Orchard Other community in Muskoka Lakes (please specify)

Optional question (60 responses, 529 skipped)

Q4 Please indicate if you live in or close to one of the following communities:

Question options Baysville Dwight Dorset Hillside Other community in Lake of Bays (please specify)

Optional question (41 responses, 548 skipped)

Q5 Please indicate if you live in or close to one of the following communities:

100 85

23 21 16 25 10

Question options Huntsville (urban area) Hidden Valley Novar Port Sydney Utterson Other community in Huntsville (please specify)

Optional question (146 responses, 443 skipped)

Q6 Please indicate if you live in or close to one of the following communities:

150 141

100

50 18 11

Question options Bracebridge (urban area) Muskoka Falls Other community in Bracebridge (please specify)

Optional question (167 responses, 422 skipped)

Q7 Please indicate if you live in or close to one of the following communities:

150

96 100

Question options Gravenhurst (urban area) Severn Bridge Barkway Kilworthy Hosey's Rapids Other (please specify)

Optional question (126 responses, 463 skipped)

Q8 In a typical week, where do you most often travel?

400

355

350

300

242 250

199

200

150

84 100

40 50 33

18 17 12 13 14 14

Question options Port Severn MacTier Honey Harbour Port Carling Bala Windermere Milford Bay Minett Huntsville Hidden Valley Novar Port Sydney Bracebridge Gravenhurst Other (please specify)

Optional question (583 responses, 6 skipped)

Q9 How do you usually travel within the District of Muskoka? Select up to 3

600 468

400

222

127 200 51 54 22 16

Question options Car or other personal vehicle, as a driver Car or other personal vehicle, as a passenger Walk Taxi Existing transit (Huntsville Transit, Bracebridge Transit and/or Corridor 11 Bus) Other (please specify)

Transportation provided by a Community Support Agency Bicycle

Optional question (587 responses, 2 skipped)

Q10 How do you usually travel to areas outside of Muskoka (e.g. Orillia or Barrie)? Select up to 3.

600 459

400 260

200

20 28 13

Question options Car or other personal vehicle, as a driver Car or other personal vehicle, as a passenger Taxi Bicycle Corridor 11 Bus Transportation provided by a Community Support Agency Other (please specify)

Optional question (583 responses, 6 skipped)

Q11 Have you used transit services in the District of Muskoka over the past 3 months?

95 (16.2%)

490 (83.8%)

Question options Yes No

Optional question (585 responses, 4 skipped)

Q12 What transit services in the District of Muskoka have you used over the past 3 months? Select all that apply.

34 35

20 17

Question options Corridor 11 bus Huntsville Transit Bracebridge Transit Other (please specify)

Optional question (95 responses, 494 skipped)

Q13 When do you typically use transit services?

53 55

4 5

Question options Weekdays only Weekends only Weekdays and Weekends

Optional question (93 responses, 496 skipped)

Q14 How many days a week do you typically use transit?

19 20

13 15

Question options 1 to 3 days 4 to 5 days 6 to 7 days

Optional question (85 responses, 504 skipped)

Q15 What is your primary purpose for using transit? Select up to two.

55 52

Question options Travel to work Travel to university/college Travel to secondary school Travel to shopping/services Travel to medical appointments Travel for personal visits/entertainment Other (please specify)

Optional question (95 responses, 494 skipped)

Q16 Do you connect to other transit services?

80 76

10 9

Question options Yes (Simcoe County LINX) Yes (Orillia Transit) Yes (Barrie Transit) No

Optional question (90 responses, 499 skipped)

Q17 What improvements would you like to see on the transit services you currently use? Select up to three.

40 37

34 35 33

30 28

20 18

15 12

Question options Provide links to other communities in Muskoka Provide links to other communities outside of Muskoka No improvements required. The services work fine for me. More frequent service on weekdays More frequent service on weekends Shorter waiting times More reliable service (on-time buses) More accessible service Shorter travel times Lower transit fares

Better connections to other transit services (e.g. Simcoe Linx) Other (please specify)

Optional question (93 responses, 496 skipped)

Q18 If a transit service was provided where and when you needed it, would your household consider giving up your automobile or one of your automobiles in the future?

225 208

200 190

175

150

125

100

71 75

Question options Yes No Does not apply since I don't own a car It depends (please explain)

Optional question (485 responses, 104 skipped)

Q19 If a transit service was provided where and when you needed it, how often would you use it?

300

272

275

250

225

200

175

150

115 125

100

50 37

Question options I would consider using public transit for some of my trips I would consider using public transit for most of my trips I would consider using public transit for all of my trips I would not use public transit even if it is available to me

Optional question (488 responses, 101 skipped)

Q20 If you responded that you would consider taking transit, what are the main reasons you would use the service?

300

275 263

250

224

225

200

169 175

150

126

125

100

14 25

Question options Work Shopping Medical School Leisure, visting friends, personal business Other (please specify)

Optional question (411 responses, 178 skipped)

Q21 What is most important to you when deciding to use a transit service? Select up to three

450

400 382

340 350

286 300

247

250

200

156

150

91 100

50 25 28 19

Question options Cost (passenger fare) Availability of service Hours of service Proximity to home and destination Travel time Reliability of service Comfort of service Cleanliness of vehicle None of the above (I would never take transit)

Optional question (581 responses, 8 skipped)

Q22 Do you have a driver's licence?

550 513

500

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100 67

Question options Yes No

Optional question (580 responses, 9 skipped)

Q23 How many personal vehicles does your household have access to?

275

245 250

225

193 200

175

150

125

100

65 75

Question options None One (1) Two (2) Three (3) or more

Optional question (578 responses, 11 skipped)

Q24 Does a physical, sensory, or other impairment prevent you from operating a vehicle?

600

544

550

500

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

35 50

Question options Yes No

Optional question (579 responses, 10 skipped)

Q25 Do you require the use of a mobility aid (e.g. wheelchair or scooter) or require other special arrangements (e.g. travels with oxygen) to travel?

600

543

550

500

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

28 50

Question options Yes No

Optional question (569 responses, 20 skipped)

Q26 Do you own a cell phone or smartphone?

600

551

550

500

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

27 50

Question options Yes No

Optional question (577 responses, 12 skipped)

Q27 Do you have access to the internet? Select all that apply

600

541 550

500

450

400

350

300 274

232 250

200

150

100

Question options Yes, at home Yes, at work Yes, where there is wifi or a public computer available No

Optional question (579 responses, 10 skipped)

Q28 Which of the following best describes your current status? Select up to two.

275 255

250

224

225

200

175

150

125

100

50 31 31 27

15 25

Question options Employed full-time Employed part time Homemaker Retired Unemployed Elementary or high school student University, college or vocational school student Other (please specify)

Optional question (587 responses, 2 skipped)

Q29 Please provide your age

275

241 250

225

200

175

145 150

119 125

100

Question options 17 or under 18 to 25 26 to 45 46 to 64 65 to 74 74 or older

Optional question (583 responses, 6 skipped)

Q30 What is your gender

450

390 400

350

300

250

200 173

150

100

50 18

Question options Male Female Non-binary Prefer not to disclose

Optional question (583 responses, 6 skipped)

Q31 How many persons live in your household?

325 303

300

275

250

225

200

175

150

125 103

100

74 64 75

14 25

Question options One (1) Two (2) Three (3) Four (4) Five (5) Six (6) or more

Optional question (583 responses, 6 skipped)

Q32 What is your total combined annual household income?

160

136 140

124

120 111

100

74 80

Question options under $20,000 $20,001 to $40,000 $40,001 to $70,000 $70,001 to $100,000 Over $100,000 Don’t know/ Prefer not to respond

Optional question (582 responses, 7 skipped)

Appendix “IV”

Transit Service Provider Meeting

Representatives of transit service providers that operate within the District attended a meeting on November 28, 2019 to discuss transportation issues and opportunities, including: • District of Muskoka staff; • Transit Consulting Network; • Huntsville Transit; • Bracebridge Transit; • Hammond Transportation – Corridor 11 Bus; and • ONTC – Ontario Northland Transportation – Highway 11 and Highway 400.

Key themes included:

1. Service integration • Market ONTC bus as an alternative to the Corridor 11 Bus to allow for more trip times and destinations to choose from, and adjust Corridor 11 Bus stops to match ONTC bus stops. • Connect District transportation services with Simcoe LINX in both Orillia and Midland.

2. Transit fare integration • Consider the use of smart card technology to allow seamless transfers between Bracebridge and Huntsville transit systems, the Corridor 11 Bus, Simcoe LINX, Wasaga Beach Transit, Collingwood Transit, and any other services implemented by the District.

3. Shorter Route for Corridor 11 Bus • The Corridor 11 Bus could terminate in Orillia, where it would connect with Simcoe LINX transit for service to Barrie. • Simcoe LINX has service between Orillia and Barrie every 50 minutes.

4. Rural east-west transit • Need longer service hours and greater flexibility in terms of routes and stops than the previous Muskoka Extended Transit service. • Service to each community could be offered on select days only. • Ensure connectivity with Corridor 11 Bus and Bracebridge and Huntsville transit systems.

5. Enhanced marketing of all transit services in Muskoka

6. Future Orillia to Washago LINX route • Simcoe County has tentative, long-term plans to extend the LINX system north from Orillia to Washago, which is in Simcoe County. At that time, the Corridor 11 Bus could potentially turn around in Washago. • In the meantime, explore the opportunity to cost share the Corridor 11 Bus coverage of this section of Highway 11 with Simcoe County, as it currently services their residents.

7. Regional transit concept for the District of Muskoka • Explore the possibility of a single regional transit agency governed and provided by the District, which could include the Corridor 11 Bus, Bracebridge and Huntsville transit systems, and any additional services implemented by the District. • Potential benefits to having a single administration which could more easily ensure a

seamless, consistent, and more efficient transportation network throughout the District. • More discussion would be needed to determine how lower tier municipalities would contribute financially and provide input into service priorities and decisions.

Appendix “V”

Transit User Interviews

District staff conducted on-board interviews with passengers on the Corridor 11 bus on October 4, 8, and 11, 2019. A total of 10 passengers agreed to participate in the interview process.

Corridor 11 Bus riders provided feedback on the current service, as summarized below.

• Most riders surveyed considered themselves to be regular riders of the Corridor 11 Bus and rode for various purposes including attending medical appointments and school, visiting family and friends, and getting home from work. • When asked how they had reached the bus stop where they boarded, rider responses were mixed, and included walking, getting a ride from someone else, and taking a taxi. • When asked how they would reach their final destination after disembarking the bus, most riders said they would walk. • Most riders surveyed felt that the fare to ride the Corridor 11 Bus is affordable. • Riders felt that the bus service benefitted them in various ways, including allowing social visits to friends and family, saving money, improving work/life balance by allowing a shorter trip home from work than other options, and allowing them to be more independent. • A few riders said that the current route, stops, and schedule are convenient for them, but most vocalized one or two desired changes, including different stop locations or schedule changes.

The riders surveyed provided suggestions for improvement to the current service which echoed some of the comments and feedback received through the other community engagement activities.

Suggestions included: • Weekend service; • An earlier northbound bus; • More service between Bracebridge and Orillia and Port Sydney and Orillia; • Offer on-demand bus stops for drops offs and flag stops for pick-ups; • Improved marketing of service and schedules; • Wheelchair accessibility; • Improved accessibility/readability of schedules; • Provide discount passes; and • Add a stop to the north end of Gravenhurst.