CCW 2020-238, Dated July 14, 2020, Regarding the County of Simcoe Transit LINX, Be Received

To: Committee of the Whole Agenda Section: Corporate Services Division: Engineering, Planning and Environment Department: Transit Item Number: CCW - 2020-238 Meeting Date: July 14, 2020 Subject: County of Simcoe Transit – Transit Update Recommendation That Item CCW 2020-238, dated July 14, 2020, regarding the County of Simcoe Transit LINX, be received. Executive Summary This item provides an update on the Simcoe County Linx and Linx Plus Transit service before COVID-19, adaptations made during the pandemic, and the outlook moving forward. Simcoe County LINX transit service began operation in September 2018. The current conventional transit service operates along four corridors: • Route 1 – Barrie to Midland /Penetanguishene • Route 2 – Barrie to Wasaga Beach • Route 3 – Barrie – Oro-Medonte – Orillia • Route 4 – Wasaga Beach to Collingwood Route 5, Alliston to Bradford will begin on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 with free service for the first month. Fare service will commence on Route 5 in September 2020. Route 6 Penetanguishene/ Midland – Tay – Severn – Oro-Medonte – Orillia will have a later start date of early fall due to the delay of bus deliveries as a result of COVID-19. Transit service levels have been reduced as ridership has decreased due to COVID –19. Transit staff will continue to monitor COVID-19 ridership levels and plan for reintroduction of service hours as required. Based on average ridership numbers and average fares seen prior to March 23 it is estimated that approximately $133K in fare revenues have been foregone (waived) between March 23 and the end of June. Transit service reductions began in April and savings are estimated to total approximately $214K. During this period, fuel consumption was reduced by 44,246 litres. July 14, 2020 Committee of the Whole - CCW 2020-238 Page 2 Background/Analysis/Options Conventional Rider Performance Simcoe County LINX entered Phase 2 of the implementation plan on August 6, 2019, successfully launching Route 2 - Wasaga Beach, Stayner, Angus and Barrie, Route 3 - Orillia, Oro-Medonte and Barrie, and assumed Route 4 - Wasaga Beach to Collingwood. The LINX Transit system observed strong ridership performance for the remainder of 2019 as it immediately gained traction within the new communities that it serves. The Linx ridership continued to grow into 2020 with 14,957 rides in January, which was 85% more than budget, and February with 13,505 trips was 87% over budgeted figures. Conventional Transit Ridership 18000 16000 14000 12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 2019 2020 COVID-19 pandemic Like many other transit lines in Ontario, Simcoe County LINX started to observe the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic during March. March closed the month off with 11,644 rides, reflecting a reduction by 22% when benchmarked against January’s metrics. April experienced the most significant drop to date, with 6,125 rides which was a reduction of 59%. May respectively noted a small uptake with 6,468 trips which was still a decrease of 56% but a 3% increase over April’s ridership. Though May 2020 ridership was approximately down 56% compared to pre-pandemic figures, the LINX system still boasts a cumulative year-to-date (YTD) success of 52,697 rides, which is 37% above the budgeted targets of 38,406 riders. July 14, 2020 Committee of the Whole - CCW 2020-238 Page 3 Transit Response to COVID-19 pandemic Over the past four months, Simcoe County has responded to the pandemics’ immediate health, safety and service impacts. The actions taken have ensured the continuance of an essential and reliable transportation option within the County for workers and residents who require these services. March 13, 2020 Communications campaign via social media, onboard postings, radio and bus signage, communicating Infection Control Reminders, and encouraging “Essential Travel Only” and physical distancing. March 23, 2020 Fares collection was suspended and rear-door boarding was implemented to ensure the physical distancing of passengers for the bus operator’s safety. Access to the front of the bus became restricted to only bus operators and customers with disabilities requiring accessibility features. Daily cleaning was implemented for all high-touch surfaces within the customer and operator compartments of the bus. Procurement of PPE and supplies, such as non-medical masks, surface cleaners, hand sanitizer, gloves, face shields/goggles and other protective equipment issued to the contractor and transit employees. March 31, 2020 LINX Plus customer health screening process implemented at the time of booking to eliminate symptomatic exposure to staff. April 6, 2020 Sourced and implemented secured portable washrooms and or facilities on all routes to ensure a safe environment for staff. April 13, 2020 Conventional Transit Service change included a 17% reduction in service hours in response to a decrease in ridership. Services eliminated were based on trips experiencing limited to no passenger use. LINX Plus Service enhanced to provide prearranged compassionate medical transportation for all Simcoe Residents from their residence to hospital appointments or treatment. LINX Plus limited capacity to one passenger per trip and attendant (if required) for essential travel. LINX Plus implemented compassionate rides to non-registered users with disabilities during the COVID-19 emergency. May 11, 2020 Further conventional transit service changes. Suspended an additional - 17% in hours, amounting to an overall 34% reduction in transit services. July 14, 2020 Committee of the Whole - CCW 2020-238 Page 4 Continued marketing campaigns encouraging social distancing and respiratory etiquette across social media platforms and onboard postings. May 21, 2020 Implementation of seat closures to encourage physical distancing and availability of alcohol-based sanitization stations at the entrance and exit of the vehicle, as suggested in the MTO Transit guidelines. COVID-19 pandemic fare revenue loss Based on average ridership numbers and average fares seen prior to March 23 it is estimated that approximately $133K in fare revenues have been foregone (waived) between March 23 and the end of June. Transit began service hour cuts in April, which continued to the end of July and will provide a savings of approximately $214K. During this period, LINX transit fuel consumption was reduced by 44,246 litres. Re-instatement of Fare Collection As of Thursday, July 2, LINX Transit along with other municipalities with be reintroducing fares. Face coverings, or non-surgical masks are highly recommended for customers. LINX operators will be wearing appropriate safety gear to ensure the safety of customers. LINX Transit will be following the newly introduced Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Public Transit Safety Guidelines to protect our communities. The guidelines will reduce the risk to passengers and employees by restricting opportunities for community transmission, this will include requiring all passengers and drivers to wear non-medical masks or face coverings. While masks or face coverings will be highly recommended, we understand there are circumstances where children and people with disabilities or other medical conditions will be unable to wear a mask. In keeping with the MTO guidelines, the County is requesting that ALL customers continue to follow existing protocols, including; • Maintaining physical distancing between people whenever possible; • Removing all personal belongings and waste upon departure; and • Sneezing into their elbow, using hand sanitizer and washing hands properly Other measures that the Simcoe County LINX has taken; • Issued PPE and safety equipment such as masks, goggles/ face shields, gloves and sanitization and cleaning products to protect the operator and passengers • A supply of non-medical masks will be onboard for customers in adverse situations • Eliminated collection and issuance of bus transfer tickets • Encourage the use of the LINX tap fare card • Communication materials onboard that request passengers exit the bus using the rear doors • Transit staff investigating the feasibility of driver compartment partitions in the form of shields/ barriers July 14, 2020 Committee of the Whole - CCW 2020-238 Page 5 Phase 3- Route Planning & Fleet Acquisition While adapting to the changing environment of the COVID-19 pandemic, transit staff have continued to make preparations for the launch of Route 5 – Alliston to Bradford and Route 6 – Midland/ Penetanguishene to Orillia, launching on August 4th, 2020. As a result of the pandemic affecting supply chains and staffing at manufacturing facilities, LINX transit has suffered delivery delays of our buses from the manufacturer Alexander Dennis Limited. The Alexander Dennis Limited manufacturing facility is located in Nappanee, Indiana, United States. The current projected delivery schedule notes August 26th, 2020, as the date when Simcoe County is expected to receive the last of the 10 E200 buses on order. The fleet will then be scheduled for technology add-ins and operator training for quality control purposes. LINX Transit will require the full complement of planned vehicles prior to the full implementation of Phase 3, found in the County of Simcoe Transit Feasibility and Implementation Plan. Next Steps • Route 5 – Alliston to Bradford will begin on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 • Route 6 – Midland/Penetanguishene to Orillia has a proposed start-date early fall, once all the buses are received and equipped for service • Transit staff

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