By Staff
November 12th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
The City Communications people are rolling out material on what will come out of the budget that is before Council
They want you to know that a combined investment of nearly $17 million with the federal and provincial governments is going to support improved and greener public transit. They also better prepare the city’s infrastructure and transit services to support the future needs of Burlington’s growing and diverse community.
What this investment means for Burlington residents:
New transit buses and greener public transit – 15 new conventional, hybrid, and electric buses that will replace aging vehicles and expand the capacity of the local public transit system. This initiative helps create a more healthy and sustainable community and supports the City’s efforts to improve our natural environment and take action on climate change. These investments move the City of Burlington towards decarbonization of our transit fleet. Four of the 15 buses will be electric and part of a pilot project.
Transit route expansion and service improvements – Adding new buses to Burlington’s fleet allows for transit route expansion and service improvements. This makes transit a more viable and efficient option for residents. It also enables Burlington Transit to offer more frequent service (15 and 20 minute frequency).
Data from the 2025 proposed budget
New specialized transit vehicles to support riders – By adding six specialized transit vehicles to the fleet, the City of Burlington can provide more service to our riders who are not able to use conventional buses. With door-to-door service, these specialized transit vehicles can help meet the needs of our changing and aging community.
Improvements to digital signage at Burlington bus stops – This includes new digital signage with real-time schedules and next bus information. This enhancement will support an improved passenger experience.
In 2019, the City of Burlington was the recipient of funds under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, an initiative involving all three levels of government. These funds helped the City complete a number of initiatives, including the following:
- Burlington Transit 5-Year Business Plan
- Specialized transit vehicles expansion to better service the changing demographic in Burlington and the increasing need for door-to-door, specialized service
- Conventional transit vehicle expansion
- Conventional transit vehicle replacement
The federal government is investing $6,782,156 through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Ontario is investing $5,651,231 and the City of Burlington is contributing $4,522,003. This funding is a result of the City of Burlington submitting applications to receive these monies in 2022.
From 2019 to 2023, there was a 21 percent increase in transit ridership in Burlington, exceeding pre-pandemic levels in 2023 and trending higher in 2024.
Burlington’s population is expected to grow by over 40 percent in the next 25 years. This investment will support current and future generations.
Mayor Meed Ward announcing new transit funding. She had people dancing in the transit garage after showing off the new bus.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward explains that the city is poised for significant population growth. It is increasingly important for municipalities to invest in transit system expansion to support growing communities in getting to and from their homes, places of employment, and other commercial and recreational facilities. Through these strategic investments, we are taking proactive steps towards increasing mobility services that are reliable, efficient and innovative for Burlington residents. At the same time, we are reducing our carbon footprint and promoting the long-term sustainability of our transit network.”
What wasn’t mentioned in the announcement is where the plans for a new transit campus are. A bigger location is going to be needed to service electric and diesel buses.
The buses are packed with teenagers coming and going from school. Also commuters during rush hour. Also seniors during the day who have earned something free for a change.
Many things are changing. Forecasts with regards to transit use and population are changing almost monthly. Oakville has made a study that includes changing bus sizes and going back to diesel busses. Its time for Burlington Transit to bring forward a new business plan before they spend anymore money or hire more people. It appears that the average usage rates, people in seats, is only 15 percent of capacity, that is why so many of us observe only one or two people on a bus on a regular basis. This needs to change.
I absolutely agree Jim and the whole transit issue is a perfect example of how the Meed Ward administration “knows best”, despite the eyes and ears of Burlington citizens. It is difficult to reconcile the City’s general economic condition, debt load and reserve fund status with its spending plans and portfolio of “transformations”.
One reason we see only one or two people on a bus is because the transit system is not reliable. I have shared many times how much of a public transit fan I am – I would much prefer to take the bus than drive.
But when I moved to Burlington I quickly learned, by standing out in the weather at a transit stop, that residents can’t count on the buses to show up. If it’s not reliable then I can’t take it. Surely I’m not the only one.
We need an entire overhaul of the transit system, for ALL of Burlington, not just a downtown hub — and our city councillors and the people who work in the transit department should be forced to rely on the system that they keep “improving”.