Presentation to the City of Ottawa Transit Commission February 20, 2013 Background • 1994: Comprehensive development plan for road networks and public transit (STO, MTQ, NCC and CUO) • 1994: Commuter train study (STO, MTQ, CUO, RMOC, OC Transpo, NCC and MTO) • 1996: Study of technology choice (STO, CUO and MTQ) • 2001: Feasibility study of a regional and interprovincial transit system (STO, NCC, • CUO, City of Ottawa and OC Transpo) • 2004: Detailed feasibility study of the Rapibus (STO, NCC, City of Gatineau, OC • Transpo, City of Ottawa and MTQ) • 2005-2006: Comparative cost-benefit study of a rapid transit system with an exclusive right-of-way (STO and MTQ) 2 Evaluation for the Quebec Ministry of Transportation Identify the most economically-sound rail corridor rapid transit project for the Outaouais region 4 options analyzed: § Reserved lanes on road pavements § Exclusive bus corridor (Rapibus) § Suburban train § Light rail train 3 Comparative Cost-benefit Study Identify the most economically advantageous rail corridor rapid transit project for the Outaouais region The Comparative cost-benefit study of a rapid transit system with an exclusive right-of-way demonstrated that the Rapibus is the best socio-economic choice, with a net present value of $538 M and a cost-benefit ratio of 2.27. 4 A Matter of Capacity Subways can carry 20,000 to 40,000 passengers an hour in each direction. Light rail trains can carry 10,000 to 20,000 people an hour in each direction. The BRT can carry up to 10,000 people an hour in each direction. Estimate for opening of the Rapibus: 7,000 people an hour. 5 and Population • From over 270,000 people in 2013, the population of Gatineau will increase to more than 343,000 by 2051, an increase of nearly 30%. • “Twenty-five years ago, they said it required at least a million inhabitants to build a light rail train network.” 6 Interprovincial Migration AM Peak (11+years 2011 O-D Survey) • 38,600 trips are made from Gatineau to Ottawa every morning (transit modal share: 44%) • 16,300 trips are made from Ottawa to Gatineau every morning • 3 federal buildings are opening this year in Gatineau (about 6,000 employees) 7 Transit Modal Share During Morning Peak Period Screenlines Screenline Classification Counts Objectives of the Objectives of the 2005-2015 Strategic Comprehensive Plan Plan (1994) Modal Modal Modal Modal Modal Modal share share share share share share Medium term Long term (2011) 1995 2002 2005 2011 2010 2015 (2046) Ottawa River 17% 27% 26% 31% 30% 35% 30% 40% Gatineau 10% 21% 25% 25% 25% 35% 25% 45% River Blvd. Saint- Raymond (Ch. 24% 28% 29% 31% 30% 35% 30% 45% de la Montagne) 8 What is the Rapibus? A high-frequency bus rapid transit (BRT) system that consists of reserved lanes and an exclusive right-of-way connecting the various sectors of Gatineau with downtown A dedicated bus route (with exclusive right-of-way) built in the railroad right-of-way over a distance of 15 km in the urban core, with a crossing over the Gatineau River Multimodal corridor (bus, bicycles and train) 9 What is the Rapibus? (cont’d) • 10 modern, comfortable, safe • 700 additional parking spaces stations around the stations • A utilitarian cycling path • Service to downtown via reserved lanes 10 Rapibus – The Network 11 Multimodal Corridor 12 Operating Rules • Management of the Noir Bridge • Intelligent Transit Systems (ITS) • Vehicles • Travel time for local lines • Service standards (local vs. Rapibus) 13 Video • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi4EQiAzO q4&feature=youtu.be 14 Subway Mindset 1. Creation of new high-frequency bus routes 2. Creation of new neighbourhood bus routes 3. Implementation of a transfer system 15 Rapibus Routes in the Downtown Areas 16 Schedule Summary • Pavingandfinallandscaping August2013 • Installation of ITSs August 2013 • Trialperiod September2013 • Implementation Fall2013 18 Benefits – Outaouais Context • Economic driver for the region • Fast, efficient connection among the different business areas and cultural and social centres for Ottawa residents who work in Gatineau and vice versa • Structuring axis for planning and development in the area (densification of housing and economic activities, real estate values) • Reduction in the number of vehicles on the road network • Improved safety for road users • Positive contribution to the quality of the environment • Revitalization of the corridor, improved quality of life for local residents and safety of activities along the corridor 19 Benefits – Interprovincial Situation Benefits of the Rapibus Effects on Ottawa +15% in the Rapibus corridor Potential reduction of 1,250 vehicles on the road network during this period 3,000 more daily trips Equivalent of 1,250 addition parking spaces required in the City of Ottawa without the Rapibus Equivalent of half an additional lane on interprovincial bridges during rush hour 20 Benefits – Interprovincial Situation (cont’d) Benefits of Rapibus Effects on Ottawa New red line service concept Up to 25% fewer buses during during rush hour PM peak period Introduction of articulated buses Integration of Planibus and Improved interoperability and chip cards services for users in both provinces Technologically evolutionary Better future integration design 21 Benefits – Interprovincial Situation (cont’d) Benefits of the Rapibus Effects on Ottawa New red line service concept Reduced waiting time frees during rush hour space on sidewalks for improved pedestrian traffic flow More options and better arrangements for returns to Ottawa during PM peak period 22 Benefits – Interprovincial Situation (cont’d) Benefits of the Rapibus Effects on Ottawa Purple line, improved service Better service to the during off-peak hours downtowns during off-peak hours Technologically evolutionary Better future integration design 23 Electric Vehicles 2011-2020 Action Plan • The government intends for 95% of trips on the Quebec public transit network to be powered by electricity by 2030 • STO study on electrification of the bus fleet – underway • 100%-electric bus demonstration project 24 THANK YOU 25.