Grand River Transit buses will be a permanent fixture in the township if the majority of Woolwich councillors have their way. In a split decision this week, they voted in favour of keeping route 21 in operation.
Their recommendation will be taken into account when Waterloo Region council decides the fate of the route, likely early in the fall.
Three councillors backed continuing the route, while two opposed it based on cost, which will be picked up by every taxpayer despite the fact the service is used by relatively few, and only in Elmira and St. Jacobs.
If the bus route is approved, Woolwich will be on the hook for $450,000 a year. The expense would require a 2.6-per-cent increase on the regional portion of property tax bills, adding $38.15 a year to the average residential property valued at $254,000.
Ward 3 Coun. Bonnie Bryant objected to the costs being shared because her constituents don’t benefit from the service, even if they wanted to use the bus. Instead, they’re facing yet another tax increase, as well as large water and sewer rate hikes and a forecasted 2.5-per-cent increase in property taxes.
“Residents of my ward are very unhappy with the increase. They’re not happy with paying for a service they don’t use,” she said.
She was joined in opposition by Coun. Allan Poffenroth, who said he was troubled by the fact taxpayers would be covering 75 per cent of the cost, with riders paying only 25 per cent. He suggested doubling the rates so that users paid at least half of the cost.
Regional figures show the average cost of a ride is $10, of which the rider pays $2.50.
But the region’s director of transportation planning, on hand for Tuesday night’s meeting, said the 25 per cent figure is normal for a new route. Graham Vincent added he expects the percentage to increase as ridership grows. The GRT route average is 37 per cent.
Ridership numbers are trending upwards, said Erica Springate, principal planner (transit) with the region.
The minimum service standard is 25 boardings per hour. Route 21 is currently at 23, with peaks above that at certain times of the year, she said.
“We keep seeing ridership growth on this route.”
Councillors also heard from
several residents who spoke in favour of retaining the service, echoing comments from a public meeting held in June. Though few in number, supporters have been vocal about retaining the bus service, which has been operating as a pilot project since April 2009.
A survey undertaken by
Woolwich economic development officer Laurel Davies Snyder found the benefits of public transit go beyond transportation, providing economic, social and recreational opportunities. A large number of riders take the bus to get to and from work, an economic benefit that helps people get to their jobs.
In a report to council this
week, she recommended support for the bus route, citing those benefits.
The arguments in favour eventually swayed three of the council members – Mark Bauman, Julie-Anne Herteis and Mayor Todd Cowan – though the issue will require formal ratification at next Tuesday’s meeting.
