More frequent and convenient transit needed, York Region survey respondents say

'There’s a huge opportunity to increase the number of pedestrians, cyclists and transit users over the next several years,' regional planning program manager says

Newmarkettoday.ca
July 20, 2021
Joseph Quigley

York Region residents are calling for more speed and convenience in their transit system as the municipality prepares to update its transportation master plan.

Rapid transit was the top priority for attendees of a virtual information centre, aimed at gathering feedback for a 2022 update to the plan. More than 70 people attended and voted in the session July 16.

Several residents spoke of the need to improve wait times with the transit system.

“YRT transit frequency is substandard,” Jonathan Lin said. “If you have relied on transit before, you will know that 15 minute or better frequencies are the bare minimum.”

The plan will use community input to form a long-term vision for York’s transit future. The region is updating its 2016 plan in the wake of the province projecting more growth. The 30-year plan is accounting for the region’s population to rise by more than 800,000 people in the next 30 years, from 1.2 million to 2.02 million.

“We know the environment around us continues to change and evolve. And we must be flexible and ready to adapt,” York's manager of transportation long-term planning Lauren Crawford said.

Transportation planning program manager Keri Hyde said surveying done before the presentation found easy access to destinations to be a top priority. Both attendees and poll respondents said quick times were the most important factor in choosing travel methods.

Staff noted that the vast majority of weekday trips under two kilometres are made by car in York Region -- 75 per cent, according to a 2016 survey.

Hyde said most people travel by car and would like to continue doing so based on polling. However, she said though only 14 per cent are using transit, biking, or walking for work/school trips, about 32 per cent of people are interested in those methods.

“There’s a huge opportunity to increase the number of pedestrians, cyclists and transit users over the next several years,” Hyde said.

Staff asked attendees about what would drive them to walk or cycle more often, with the most popular responses being cycling/walking facilities that are safe and comfortable, as well as easy to access.

Respondents were also asked to provide feedback on the plan's draft vision statement: “Plan, build, operate and maintain a transportation network for all travellers that is safe, reliable, future-ready, sustainable and balances the needs of unique communities we serve.”

Most feedback submitted was positive on the statement, though several people commented on the need for sustainability to include financial and environmental aspects.

Staff plan to do another public open house in the fall to provide an update on the process, before finalizing a draft plan between January and June 2022.

Hyde said there is a chance for change with pandemic-related shifts in the workplace, such as more people working from home.

"This presents an opportunity to do things differently. As we emerge from the pandemic, we are starting to analyze and assess demands on the network and plan for the future," Hyde said.

You can provide feedback on transportation in the survey at york.ca/tmp.