Gravenhurst Town council recently received an update on the transit study they are doing with consultants Left Turn Right Turn.
An urban “flex” route and a rural on-demand service, were the most preferred based on survey results (56% compared to 10% for next most preferred).
The consultants, who were hired in January, endorsed this recommendation as it would offer “better service quality than two on-demand vehicles, more predictable and likely to be cheaper than ride-hailing, the only option that could provide direct Bracebridge connection and the best structure for sustainable transit growth.”
Riders would have to request drop-off/pick-up and the suggested fare is $3 for flex routes. On-demand would be $4 for trips less than 5km, $6 for trips 5-15km, $13 for trips greater than 15km.
Any potential inclusion of a transit system will not be discussed until the 2024 budget process.
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Gravenhurst should put in a system like Innisfil.
Subsidizing an Uber type taxi means everyone can access the service not just those along a transit route.
Bracebridge has a small bus that drives around a very limited route empty most of the time.
Total waste of taxpayer dollars and produces emissions all day long for practically no value.
Innisfil’s system has been spectacularly successful.
https://innisfil.ca/en/living-here/using-innisfil-transit.aspx
We recently moved from Innisfil where they struggled with the exact same questions but were faced with a much larger geography to support costs etc etc.
As you likely know or have heard they implemented a Uber based (or a like system using an negotiated subsidy with local cab companies) subsidized system for various points. I believe the forward thinking council at the time deemed it to be quite successful for flexibility, town costs and rider cost sharing.
It was voted again with a new council to continue with its success and cost effectiveness for the taxpayer and users.
Has the council here reached out to the Mayor’s Office there to discuss face to face and not go through the consultant.
They would likely be willing to share their information. It is a unique proposal with a sound business model to service a broad area of their population of 37,000. This just makes sense, a lot of sense to service a Gravenhurst population of 13,500 plus some additional possibly. At least until the population grows and demand increases more clearly.
Gravenhurst also needs to fight hard to be heard to have the hospital built in the current preferred location being considered as a lot of the trips and or potential direct service to begin a town financed transit would be to this closest hospital site, shopping then employment lands
Sometimes we need to look outside the box. This is one of those times.
Regards,
Calvin Hensel