October 2024 Transit Project Update
The City of Pembroke is currently preparing documentation to request proposals for the operation of a three-year pilot project where a private contractor will provide an on-demand transit service within the City of Pembroke. The City would like the contractor to provide all elements of the service include: vehicles, drivers, software and customer support.
In preparation for this purchasing process, the Transit Committee met on October 1st to provide feedback on the future service. Committee members provided information on their daily trips within Pembroke during typical business hours (8 am – 6pm) or outside of these hours. Members were also asked “What does a successful transit system look like to you?”. Key requirements identified from this discussion are as follows:
- That the operator provides a reliable service with limited waiting times. Committee members wanted to ensure a strong level of service for riders.
- Acceptable stop spacing within the network that is limited to no more than a 5–8-minute walk to maximize the number of riders the bus can service.
- Provide fixed stops at key destinations (such as Wal-Mart, Algonquin College and Pembroke Regional Hospital) so that the service can run efficiently. The remaining service area would be serviced by virtual stops.
- Provide the opportunity for potential charter service to be added, For instance, providing Algonquin College students with a weekly ride to go grocery shopping or provide the general public a ride following a Pembroke Lumberkings match.
- Additional topics included affordability, Sunday service and financial sustainability.
This information will now be used to finalize the City’s purchasing documents, expected to be issued in late October.
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| Transit Committee Members and Purpose |
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The City's Transit Committee members are as follows: Public Representatives Ankit Vyas Stephen Boldt Chad Leduc-Smith Sean Turner Ted Moryto
Council Representatives Mayor Ron Gervais Deputy Mayor Brian Abdallah Councillor Ed Jacyno
Community Stakeholder Representatives Jamie Bramburger, Algonquin College Yannis Affoum/Francois Belanger/Connor Benson, Algonquin College Student Association Dan Callaghan, Handi-Bus Service Holly MacDonald, Chartwell Andrea Patrick, County of Renfrew Ralph Hatem, Pembroke Regional Hospital Chrystal Bloom, Manager, McDonalds Bethea Summers PBIA Jessica Milligan, Best Western
Project Team Representatives Jordan Papazoglou, Left Turn Right Turn, Project Manager and Committee Chair Angela Lochtie, City of Pembroke Treasurer, Alternate Chair David Unrau, City of Pembroke CAO Brian Lewis, City of Pembroke Director of Operations
Purpose The purpose of the Committee is to provide advice, feedback or guidance on transit needs that will need to be considered, balanced, and prioritized during the planning, design and implementation of a three-year on-demand transit pilot project to ensure the new service will meet the needs of the community and achieve desired outcomes within the City’s limited financial means. Key input required from members may include but is not limited to the following:
The Committee may also provide issue resolution on other matters referred to the Committee by the Project Manager or Council.
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| What is on-demand transit? |
| On-demand transit is a shared-ride public transit service without a fixed schedule or route. Passengers choose where the trip starts and ends, within the transit service area. The transit vehicle’s travel is optimized by computer software, and it is based upon rider trip requests. On-demand transit operates within the entire City allowing riders to travel from point to point without transfers. |
| Has on-demand transit been approved by council? |
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At the February 6, 2024 meeting of the Finance and Administration Committee, the following motion was passed: THAT the City of Pembroke issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an integrated on-demand transit service (excluding Handi-bus service) commencing April 1, 2025 for an initial three-year term with an option to extend for an additional four years. The RFP would be modelled similar to (the municipality of) North Grenville but include both gas or electric bus options for discussion. The hours of service would be: Monday-Wednesday: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m The next step in this project is to request proposals from transit service providers to operate the service. Once these proposals are received, City Council will need to approve a proposal, and award a contract to a transit service provider to move forward with this project. |
| Project Management Firm |
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Implementation of this project will be managed by the firm Left Turn Right Turn (LTRT). LTRT is a boutique transportation consulting firm with proven experience supporting transit agencies and municipalities from across North America in launching successful on-demand pilot projects to provide public transit to their citizens. Jordan Papazoglou from LTRT will be serving as Project Manager and Chair of the Transit Committee. Jordan is a transportation engineer with over 7 years of transportation and transit planning experiences and has worked with other municipalities in launching an on-demand service, including the new North Grenville service in Kemptville, Ontario. Throughout the course of the implementation, Jordan will be supported by a skilled team of transit experts with more than 60 years of combined experience in the field. |
| How can I get a copy of the Transit Feasibility Study? |
| To request a copy of the Transit Feasibility Study, please email pembroke@pembroke.ca. |