Innisfil 'very pleased and excited' about early months of Uber transit program
Madhunt.com
Oct. 17, 2017
Innisfil's first peak into early results of its partnership with Uber and Barrie Taxi services to provide public transit options for its residents has cost it $71,000 in subsidies in the first four and half months of its implmentation according to a report to councillors.
Paul Pentikainen, Innisfil's Senior Policy Planner, notes between May 15 and September 30, there were 12,393 Uber trips taken while there were no wheelchair accessible trips taken through the taxi company (BarrieInnisfil Taxi), working out to an average gross subsidy of about $5.73 per passenger.
"This compares to a gross subsidy of approximately $33 per passenger that was forecast for the one bus route in the Town's Transit Feasibility Study, according to Mr. Pentikainen's report. " While there would have been a $270,000 start-up net cost for one bus and $610,000 for two buses running along routes servicing only a small portion of the Town - this is strongly confirming that the cost of a fixed-route bus system to service all of Innisfil would have been far greater and a less convenient option than through the current ridesharing transit service."
The cost of a one-way fare to the recreation centre is $3; $4 to the GO stops along Yonge St.; and $5 for Barrie South GO Train, and to the Innisfil Heights (Hwy 400 corridor).
The Township's program is eligible for Gas Tax revenues, estimated to provide between $75,000 and $93,750 in 2018.
Innisfil expects to launch a "Stage 2" in January 2018, which will likely include an expansion of flat fare destinations including: Innisfil Beach Park, Cookstown/Tanger Mall, Nantyre Shores SS, Bradford GO, and RVH in Barrie.
"Within the next few months, Staff will also continue to promote awareness of the service and will consider branding options for Innisfil's ridesharing transit system to coincide with the launch of Stage 2. Funding partnerships and fare integration with other external agencies (e.g. Metrolinx) and local businesses will also continue to be explored with the aim of being in place for Stage 2."
