Tecumseh looks for public input on Bus service
Tecumseh is holding an all-day session Thursday to get public input on proposed changes to its bus service.
The session, which will also seek input on a new sign bylaw, will be held in council chambers from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“I hope there’s a good turnout,” said Mayor Gary McNamara. “It’s the residents who use the service.… We want to make sure they ’re wellserved.”
Launched in December 2009, Tecumseh Transit Service had a ridership of more than 26,200 passengers in 2017. One of the two buses operates at a time, making 38 stops on a 30-kilometre circuit around town.
Except during rush hour, which can put the bus behind schedule, it takes about an hour to complete the route.
The most common complaint about the service is that the bus is often late. It also hits L’Essor high school 10 minutes before the final bell, meaning students either wait 50 minutes for the bus to come by again, or they don’t take the bus at all.
McNamara said the service could use some “tweaking,” shaving off a minute here and there to help the bus run on time.
“We know where the hot spots are and we want to refine it.”
In a report to council last month, town staff suggested the bus service begin and end 30 minutes later than the current 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. timetable. This would put the bus at L’Essor at a more convenient time for students, the report says. There are suggestions to alter the bus route off some streets and onto others. There’s a proposal to eliminate the stop at Tecumseh Town Centre Plaza to save time. The report also suggests adding four stops to serve residents in the heavily populated area around Southfield Drive, Brouillette Court and Shawnee Road.
Maps of the existing and proposed routes will be on display at the public information session. The town is considering offering half-price bus passes to residents on Ontario Works. They would get a monthly pass for $17.50 rather than the usual $35 fee. There’s also a suggestion to promote the service to seniors by allowing them to ride for free one month out of the year.
And, the town is also considering selling advertising space on the bus. The town’s 2018 budget includes the purchase of a second low-floor bus that allows for the easy entrance of wheelchairs and strollers. The town currently has one of these buses, as well as a standard bus that is used as a backup. The town has already begun collecting comments from the public. As of Wednesday, about 50 riders have filled out survey forms and more have left comments online, said Chad Jeffrey, Tecumseh’s manager of planning services. The town will collect feedback until March 16.
I hope there’s a good turnout. It’s the residents who use the service.… We want to make sure they’re well-served.