Community bus survey begins
City seeks public feedback on plan for new barrier-free minibus service beginning in March
The city is asking for public feedback on a community bus route beginning in March.
Peterborough Transit is launching a new bus route that will serve malls, grocery stores, seniors’ homes, medical clinics and the hospital.
It’ll be available to all residents, but is geared toward seniors and residents with mobility issues. The new service offers an alternative for those who typically use the Handi-Van, or who find using the city bus challenging.
The city’s aim is to make transit more appealing to residents, particularly seniors, said Sue Sauve, city transportation demand management planner.
“I think for that group in particular this community bus has some potential to meet their needs,” Sauve said.
A minibus, seating up to 15 citizens and four wheelchairs, will run the route. The bus will be barrier free with a wide door.
The service will run seven days a week from 9:20 a.m. to 5:20 p.m., on an hourly basis.
Unlike the Handi-Van service, users won’t have to book ahead, so trips can be spontaneous. And riders don’t need to qualify for the bus, with a doctor’s note, for example, like they do the Handi-Van.
The route will cost the same as regular bus fair, which is $2.50.
City staffers created two possible routes based on feedback gathered at a public consultation last year. They’re now looking to the public again to see what route is the best fit.
The first option stretches from Lansdowne Place to Parkhill Rd. and George St. to Summit Plaza, where Canadian Tire and Sobeys is located in the west end.
Option two goes from Brealey Dr. to Monaghan Rd. and Lansdowne Place to Parkhill Rd.
Both route options also include jaunts along a few other streets inside the greater area.
On Jan. 18, transit staff will be at Lansdowne Place’s community counter (at the top of the escalator) to hand out copies of the survey and answer any questions.
Hard copies of the survey are also available at the Transit Terminal on Simcoe St. Online surveys can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/r/ptbocommunitybus
Residents have until Jan. 26 to submit their opinion. Once the route has been determined, a map and schedule will be posted on the city’s website on the Peterborough Transit page.
NOTE: Anyone who’d like to receive the details emailed to them can leave their contact info on the survey or email Sue Sauve at ssauve@peterborough.ca