Types of Rapid Transit

Light Rail Transit (LRT) Electric trains running along tracks in a rapidway separate from regular traffic.

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Transit buses (regular and articulated) operating in a rapidway separate from regular traffic.

Adapted Bus Rapid Transit (aBRT) Similar to the VIVA rapid transit system in York Region and the ZÜM rapid transit system in Brampton, aBRT would feature buses driving in regular traffic, but given special considerations to make them faster and more convenient. These include complete integration as part of the rapid transit system, frequent service, limited stops, preboarding fares, signal priority, queue jumping and bus by-pass shoulders (to allow buses to maintain faster, consistent travel times), bicycle and pedestrian amenities, and passenger information systems.

How are LRT and BRT Similar? Both would operate in separate, protected rapidways with the same impact on traffic.

• Both are permanent. BRT is not easily convertible to LRT. Attempting to do so in the same rapidway would be extremely expensive and disruptive.

• Both are eligible for funding from other levels of government. The Government of Ontario has agreed to provide $300 million towards the capital cost of Waterloo Region’s rapid transit system. The Government of Canada has agreed to fund one third of eligible project costs to a maximum of $265 million. The Region of Waterloo will be responsible for the balance.

BRT rapidway

LRT rapidway

4 | CONNECTING TO THE FUTURE | INFORMATION HANDOUT | MARCH 2011 LRT or BRT? LRT BRT ✓More potential to attract transit ✓Cheaper per kilometre to install passengers – faster, quieter, more and operate comfortable ride ✓Can be built in one stage ✓Helps shape community, as a stronger Many riders prefer trains to buses catalyst for development and investment ✗ Requires significantly more vehicles ✓Greater increase in land values ✗ to meet passenger demand ✓Better for the environment and health ✗ The number of buses needed to meet ✗ More expensive; must be built in ridership demand by 2031 would stages to be affordable overwhelm the rapid transit system north of Fairview Park Mall

Light Rail Transist (LRT) Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Vehicle Capacity Up to 450 passengers per train 75-115 passengers per bus System Capacity Rapid transit system will operate Number of buses needed to meet effectively beyond 2031 ridership demand by 2031 would overwhelm the rapid transit system north of Fairview Park Mall and require replacement Community Benefits 16,900 new jobs in station areas 8,400 new jobs in station areas $370 million in increased land values $75 million in increased land values Transportation Benefits Projected transporation user benefits: Projected transportation user benefits: (*Savings in travel time, vehicle • $523 million* • $360 million* operation costs, accident avoidance, parking costs) • Generally preferred by riders – smoother, quieter, more comfortable ride

Environmental Benefits Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 22,300 tonnes per year by 2031 of 12,200 tonnes per year by 2031

CONNECTING TO THE FUTURE | INFORMATION HANDOUT | MARCH 2011 | 5 Implementation Options

L1 L2 L3 L4 Northfield Drive St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market Challenging transfer location Low ridership potential from Conestoga Mall to the Ainslie Street Bus Terminal Changes from LRT to aBRT at: L1 – Ottawa Street Jacobs Farmers’ Market St. L2 – Block Line Road L3 – Fairview Park Mall L4 – Sportsworld Drive ConestogaWATERLOO Mall

Hespeler/Pinebush L5 L6 L7 L8 from Northfield Drive Cambridge Centre to the Ainslie Street Bus Terminal Hespeler/Can-Amera Changes from LRT to aBRT at: L5 – Ottawa Street Northfield/Parkside Duke/Young Kitchener Market Fairview Park Mall Delta L6 – Block Line Road R&T Park Charles/Ottawa CAMBRIDGE L7 – Fairview Park Mall Ainslie Street Terminal L8 – Sportsworld Drive Preston

Seagram Drive King/Victoria Sportsworld L9 B10 University of Waterloo Uptown Waterloo KITCHENER Frederick/Benton Grand River Hospital N Rapid transit Downtown Kitchener from St Jacobs Farmers’ Market to the Ainslie Street Bus Terminal LEGEND L9 – all LRT Courtland/Blockline Rapid Transit Station B10 – all BRT Ottawa Street Multi-Mode Station (LRT/GRT/GO/VIA) Challenging transfer location Possible LRT Start Points Possible Change From LRT to aBRT Highways Light Rail Transit Bus Rapid Transit & Adapted Bus Rapid Transit Conceptual Future High Frequency Bus Connections Block Line Road Opportunities for transfers between routes to/from southwest Kitchener and the central transit corridor

6 | CONNECTING TO THE FUTURE | INFORMATION HANDOUT | MARCH 2011 Conestoga Mall Good north-end connections to GRT buses, good location for Park ‘n Ride facility

St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market

ConestogaWATERLOO Mall

Hespeler/Pinebush

Cambridge Centre

Hespeler/Can-Amera

Northfield/Parkside Duke/Young Kitchener Market Fairview Park Mall Delta R&T Park Charles/Ottawa CAMBRIDGE Ainslie Street Terminal Preston

Seagram Drive King/Victoria Sportsworld University of Waterloo Uptown Waterloo KITCHENER Frederick/Benton Grand River Hospital N Downtown Kitchener

LEGEND Courtland/Blockline Rapid Transit Station Multi-Mode Station (LRT/GRT/GO/VIA) Possible LRT Start Points Possible Change From LRT to aBRT Fairview Park Mall Highways Good south Kitchener connections Light Rail Transit to GRT buses, good location for Park ‘n Ride facility Bus Rapid Transit & Adapted Bus Rapid Transit Conceptual Future High Frequency Bus Connections

Sportsworld Drive Provides an LRT connection into Cambridge, and provides a park ‘n ride facility for inter-Regional commuters

CONNECTING TO THE FUTURE | INFORMATION HANDOUT | MARCH 2011 | 7 Which option provides the best value to our community?

The next two tables provide a summary of the key information related to the rapid transit implementation options (ridership, affordability, intensification potential) that will be used by staff to identify a preliminary preferred option. The first table shows the options grouped by technology and the average annual household impact. The second table shows all the options individually, with the information related to affordability, ridership and intensification.

Table 1

Average annual incremental Options household impact * BRT $15.73 Option B10 LRT Short/aBRT Long $14.63 – $19.04 Options L1, L5, L6 LRT Medium/aBRT Medium $20.70 – $22.63 Options L2, L3, L7 LRT Long/aBRT Short Options L4, L8 $29.53 – $31.46

LRT Complete1 $62.65 Option L9 Business as Usual/No rapid transit2 $24.98 Option BU11

* Over six years (2012-2017), assuming all costs are funded through property tax levy. Impacts on property taxes may be reduced through financing options. Estimates are based on an average property assessment of $225,000. 1 Not considered feasible because of cost. 2 Not considered feasible because of the significant negative impacts on the quality of life in our community, and it does not align with the Council-approved Regional Official Plan and Regional Transportation Master Plan.

8 | CONNECTING TO THE FUTURE | INFORMATION HANDOUT | MARCH 2011 Table 2

Annual Operating and Annual Intensification Rapid Transit Capital Regional Maintenance Incremental (increase over Option Ridership Investment Share per year/2031 Household Business as 2031 (millions) (millions) (millions) Impact* Usual) (millions)

Pop: 19,847 L1 12.6 $644 $129 $8.6 $16.01 Emp: 12,733 Pop: 20,251 L2 14.3 $770 $213 $9.1 $20.98 Emp: 12,846 Pop: 20,263 L3 15 $818 $253 $9.1 $22.63 Emp: 13,115 Pop: 20,319 L4 15.4 $960 $395 $11.6 $31.46 Emp: 13,675 Pop: 19,258 L5 12.2 $608 $105 $8.2 $14.63 Emp: 11,618 Pop: 19,662 L6 13.9 $733 $189 $8.8 $19.04 Emp: 11,731 Pop: 19,730 L7 14.7 $773 $215 $8.7 $20.70 Emp:12,560 Pop: 19,730 L8 15 $922 $357 $11.2 $29.53 Emp: 12,560 Pop: 22,643 L9 18 $1.5 billion $985 $15.5 $62.65 Emp: 16,901 Pop: 11,501 B10 14.9 $702 $168 $9 $15.73 Emp: 8,420

BU11 0 $500 $500 $1.2 $24.98 Business as Usual

* Over six years (2012-2017), assuming all costs are funded through property tax levy. Impacts on property taxes may be reduced through financing options. Estimates are based on an average property assessment of $225,000.

CONNECTING TO THE FUTURE | INFORMATION HANDOUT | MARCH 2011 | 9 A complete public transportation system!

• Whether its BRT or LRT, Waterloo Region needs to be served by a rapid transit system.

• With BRT, LRT and LRT/aBRT options, rapid transit is only one component in a Region-wide transit system. The Grand River Transit bus system would be reoriented with rapid transit as the backbone of the system.

• The new system would include: • New and expanded local bus routes in targeted areas; • A system of express routes, like the iXpress, feeding in to the rapid transit system; • Local service along the central transit corridor, serving additional stops in between the rapid transit stations; • GO Transit and VIA Rail service connecting to the central transit corridor; • Intelligent Transportation Systems improvements (including real-time scheduling of transit vehicles, transit traveller information and optimization of transit priority); and • Development and implementation of smart-card fare-collection technology

St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market Station WATERLOO 2031 Moving Forward Transit Plan Conestoga Mall Northfield/Parkside Bridge St W Legend Lexington Rd WOOLWICH King St N r Rapid Transit Station Northfield Dr W D

e d One Way Rapid Transit i s k

r a Light Rail Transit (LRT) R&T Park P Bus Rapid Transit & Adapted Bus Rapid Transit University Ave E 85 Conestoga Pkwy Railway Corridor Columbia St W E Regional Roads Rd ridgeport

University of Waterloo B W

Multi-Mode Station (LRT/GRT/GO/VIA)

t S W r Local Bus Routes

e e Victoria St N

b t B Seagram Drive e e r s

S a a t Express Bus Routes

r N c

in n

g a e L Inter-City Transit r Uptown Waterloo R d E St Erb Grand River Hospital FrederickDuke/Young St King/Victoria Courtland Ave E Kitchener Market Downtown Kitchener Charles/Ottawa Rd W nd la King St E We gh ber i Frederick/Benton S Fairway Rd N H t E vd CAMBRIDGE Bl ns ee WILMOT Qu F 8 is c h 7/8 H e om Courtland/Blockline r e d - r R Fountain St N H S W e a a St Strasburg Rd v llm ttaw a o O ts r a o G n n e R B l d l Fairview Park Mall p vd a d M 401 Line R Pinebush Rd Block

M

a

n Sportsworld

i Eagle St N t 8

o Hespeler Rd Hespeler/Pinebush

u

Sh D a Bleams Rd ntz H r ill Rd KITCHENER Preston ky a P Bishop St N er m d A R 401 Cambridge Centre n- on Ca ur H Coronation Blvd Blair Rd Hespeler/Can-Amera

F r a n k l i n G eo B rge N S lv t Delta d N

Dundas St N NORTH DUMFRIES

Ainslie Street Terminal

Cedar St

10 | CONNECTING TO THE FUTURE | INFORMATION HANDOUT | MARCH 2011 Next Steps

• March 2011: Public Consultation – Review of Rapid Transit Implementaiton Options

• April 12, 2011: Report to Planning and Works Committee – What we heard from the public – Identifying a preliminary preferred option

• April/June 2011: Public Consultation – Preliminary Preferred Option – Public Consultation Centres – Malls and Market Displays – Public Presentations – Online Consultation – online comment form, discussion boards, Twitter, Facebook – Public Input Meeting(s) before Plannning and Works Committee/Council

• June 2011: Council consideration of preliminary preferred implementation option and preferred rapid transit system

• October: Subject to Council Approval, a six-month Transit Project Assessment (Province’s new EA process for transit projects) will begin.

CONNECTING TO THE FUTURE | INFORMATION HANDOUT | MARCH 2011 | 11 What do YOU think?

The Region would like to hear your comments on the rapid transit options.

Please submit your comments before March 25, 2011 by:

• Filling in the Public Comment sheet and putting it in the Comment Box today

• Visiting the website at region.waterloo.on.ca/rapidtransit and filling in our online comment form

• Via email at [email protected]

• Taking the Public Comment Sheet home and mailing or faxing it to the address listed

You can also participate in the ongoing rapid transit discussion through:

• Rapid Transit Discussion Boards at rapidtransit.region.waterloo.on.ca/community

• Facebook: facebook.com/ROWRapidTransit

• Twitter: @ROWRapidTransit

Under the Municipal Act, personal information such as name, address, telephone number and property location that may be included in a submission become part of the public record. Questions regarding the collection of this information should be referred to the Rapid Transit Infoline (519-575-4757, ext. 3242 TTY: 519-575-4609)

Region of Waterloo 150 Frederick Street, 6th Floor Kitchener, ON N2G 4J3

Rapid Transit Infoline: 519-575-4757 ext. 3242 Email: [email protected] Fax: 519-745-4040

region.waterloo.on.ca/rapidtransit Fact Sheet

The FACTS about Rapid Transit in Waterloo Region Rapid transit in Waterloo Region is generating a great deal of discussion in our community. The purpose of this document is to provide some additional information about the project based on the questions we receive from the public.

Why does Waterloo Region need rapid transit? The Province of Ontario, through the Places to Grow legislation, mandated the Waterloo Region to plan for major population growth – a population increase of 200,000 by 2031. Through the Regional Growth Management Strategy and the new Regional Official Plan, the Region has put policies in place to help direct up to 45% of new growth to our built up urban areas. Rapid transit is an important part of this plan, and Regional Council chose it as the most sustainable solution to move people and shape our community.

Why can't more roads solve the congestion problem? Building new or bigger roads won’t ease traffic congestion – it just attracts more cars. With limited room to expand or build new roads in our urban areas, road expansion is not a sustainable option to manage future growth. If the Region continues with current trends of auto use, the road network will need to expand by at least 500 additional lane-kilometres of traffic by 2031, at a cost of $1.4 to $1.5 billion. Rapid transit and improved transit will not eliminate the need for road improvements. But road expansion costs would be reduced by $400 to $500 million.

Why can't we just keep using iXpress? iXpress works well now, and has experienced significant ridership growth since it was introduced, but it is already experiencing traffic delays from road congestion. As ridership continues to grow, the capacity of iXpress will not be enough to meet travel demand. The Region’s transportation vision for the future includes an expanded and realigned Grand River Transit system, with a series of new express routes modeled after iXpress, and expanded local service that would feed into and integrate with rapid transit. A public consultation process will be used to establish these new express routes.

What's the current state of funding for rapid transit? On June 28, 2010, the Province of Ontario committed $300 million towards the capital cost of constructing a rapid transit system in Waterloo Region. On September 2, 2010, the Government of Canada committed one-third of the eligible costs, up to $265 million to support the construction of the Region's rapid transit project. The Region will be responsible for the covering the remaining construction costs, as well as the ongoing operating costs.

Will riders outside of rapid transit station areas have good transit service? Our proposed rapid transit system is based on rapid transit and conventional bus service working together. There will be bus stops in between and at the rapid transit stops along the Central Transit Corridor (CTC). GRT service will continue along the rapid transit route as well, to provide frequent stops at intermediate locations. New iXpress-style routes and cross-town routes will also be added, both feeding to rapid transit and serving destinations outside the rapid transit station areas.

Is Waterloo Region's population big enough to support Light Rail Transit (LRT)? Yes. When Calgary first started building LRT in 1978, it had a population of 506,000. The population of Edmonton was just over 445,000 when the City started LRT construction in 1974. Currently, Waterloo Region has a population of 543,000. By 2031 and with the approved rapid transit staging option, it is expected that approximately 68,000 residents and 110,000 jobs will be concentrated within 600 meters of rapid transit stations.

Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo are fortunate to have employment and population concentrated in a linear corridor connecting the three cities. This makes operation of transit more efficient with passengers located along the route in both directions.

What will happen to the street events like Oktoberfest and Buskers once rapid transit is built? They will still happen! A parade can still go down King Street. Regional staff will work with organizing committees to accommodate parades along the route. During events, service can short- turn to leave the parade area clear, but still provide service to the crowds of people coming to the parade.

How will the construction of the rapid transit system impact roads, traffic and access to local businesses? Construction will be completed in stages, to limit the impacts of construction on any one area to a short period of time. Every effort will be made to maintain the flow of traffic and access to businesses in construction areas. A communication plan will be put in place to inform the public, business owners, and property owners regarding timing for construction in each area, access options, alternate routes, etc.

How will rapid transit be separated from traffic? Both BRT and LRT would operate primarily on a dedicated rapidway. By operating separately from traffic, rapid transit is a more efficient, reliable, comfortable, convenient, and effective way to travel. As we work on detailed design of the system, a platform or curb could be used to keep the rapid transit vehicle separate from other traffic, as has been done in Toronto along St. Clair West. Fencing will not be used.

Comment Sheet

Provide Your Input. Join the conversation! The Region of Waterloo requests your input on the question on the attached Comment Sheet. For more information, please see the available displays and handouts.

Please complete and return this Comment Sheet to the Comment Box so your views can be considered during this phase of the rapid transit project.

If you wish to prepare your comments later, please submit them by mail, fax or email no later than March 25, 2011 to:

Region of Waterloo, Rapid Transit 150 Frederick Street, 6th Floor Kitchener, ON N2G 4J3 Phone: Rapid Transit InfoLine: 519-575-4757, ext. 3242 Fax: 519-745-4040 Email: [email protected]

An online comment sheet is also available on our website at www.region.waterloo.on.ca/rapidtransit.

Thank you for your participation!

All comments and information received from individuals, stakeholder groups and agencies regarding this project are being collected to assist the Region of Waterloo in making a decision. Under the Municipal Act, personal information such as name, address, telephone number, and property location that may be included in a submission becomes part of the public record. Questions regarding the collection of this information should be directed to the Rapid Transit InfoLine.

Document Number: 937272 Version: 4 Rapid Transit Implementation Options

Rapid transit from Conestoga Mall to Ainslie Street Bus Terminal, changing from LRT to L1 aBRT at Ottawa Street Rapid transit from Conestoga Mall to Ainslie Street Bus Terminal, changing from LRT to L2 aBRT at Block Line Road Rapid transit from Conestoga Mall to Ainslie Street Bus Terminal, changing from LRT to L3 aBRT at Fairview Park Mall Rapid transit from Conestoga Mall to Ainslie Street Bus Terminal, changing from LRT to L4 aBRT at Sportsworld Drive Rapid transit from Northfield Drive to Ainslie Street Bus Terminal, changing from LRT to L5 aBRT at Ottawa Street Rapid transit from Northfield Drive to Ainslie Street Bus Terminal, changing from LRT to L6 aBRT at Block Line Road Rapid transit from Northfield Drive to Ainslie Street Bus Terminal, changing from LRT to L7 aBRT at Fairview Park Mall Rapid transit from Northfield Drive to Ainslie Street Bus Terminal, changing from LRT to L8 aBRT at Sportsworld Drive Rapid transit from St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market to Ainslie Street Bus Terminal, LRT the L9 entire length Rapid transit from St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market to Ainslie Street Bus Terminal, BRT the B10 entire length Business as usual – no rapid transit (not considered feasible, especially because of its BU11 quality of life impacts, disruptive road expansion and because it does not align with the Council-approved Regional Official Plan and Regional Transportation Master Plan)

Please provide your comments on the option you feel provides best value to our community.

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Document Number: 937272 Version: 4 ______

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How did you find out about this meeting?______

Your name:______Mailing Address:______Postal Code: ______Phone Number:______Email: ______

Please fill in all contact information, including email, if you would like to be added to the Rapid Transit Contact List and receive notification of project updates and upcoming events and meetings. Or sign up online at www.region.waterloo.on.ca/rapidtransit. Thank you for your input.

Document Number: 937272 Version: 4