COVID-19 & The Future of Public Transit
In this edition of ON THE MOVE, find our what public transit agencies should be doing to keep riders and workers safe during COVID-19, and why we need a public transit bailout from the Government
Welcome to Issue #5 of On the Move, a twice-a-month newsletter sharing transit news and views from Guelph and beyond presented by the Transit Action Alliance of Guelph. It arrives directly in your inbox on the 1st and 15th of each month.
Guelph Transit is responding to the COVID-19 crisis. TAAG supports these changes and encourages people to respect what is being asked of them during this time.
Guelph Transit and mobility service are for essential trips only. Mobility service users will be screened; many customers are older adults who may be more at risk of severe illness.
Everyone should avoid all unnecessary travel to help protect transit riders, drivers, their families and our community.
Free transit service will continue until April 30, so people can get to essential workplaces, medical appointments and grocery shopping. There is a limit of 10 passengers per bus. Guelph Transit is monitoring ridership levels and will adjust service as needed. This may mean putting out an extra bus on a busy route to maintain the 10 passenger limit. If you do get left behind let us know!
If you feel unwell or you have travelled outside Canada within the past 14 days Do not use public transit
Guelph Transit changing service to slow the spread of coronavirus (updated March 26)
There have been a few route cancellations over the past few days due to a lack of drivers being available. TAAG encourages Guelph Transit to communicate cancellations much faster, especially in this environment where the services is reduced. An essential worker actually missed the bus due to late communications.
There is a conversation among users and non users on Facebook to do like Windsor and switch the bus service to an Dial a Bus type system during this extraordinary time.
There are temporary reductions to GO train and bus service.
There are now only three weekday morning rush hour trains to Toronto and three weekday afternoon rush hour trains from Toronto. There are also numerous bus reductions and cancellations along several routes that service both Guelph Central Station and the University of Guelph. Schedules can now be found online for the reduced bus and train service.
Greyhound Canada is temporarily reducing schedules across its network As of Monday, there were only 2 trips listed between Guelph and Toronto. You can find the schedule by clicking here.
As of Monday March 30th, VIA Rail will be reducing services on select routes. The trains that service Guelph Central are not on the list for cancellation at this time.
Wellington County's Ride Well program will expand to include trips to and from Guelph as of April 1st. The change provides riders with direct county to Guelph and Guelph to county rides. However, Guelph to Guelph ride requests will be restricted from being booked.
Some construction work is happening at Guelph Central Station as Metrolinx/GO Transit prepare to add the second platform in the next year.
The TTC says it's now losing $18 million a week in fare revenue as COVID crisis decimates ridership. Transit agencies across Canada are set to lose $280 million per month, and efforts are underway to organize a government bailout.
Missed the online panel hosted by TTCRiders about what public transit agencies should be doing to keep riders and workers safe during COVID-19, and how a public transit bailout can contribute to the climate action and public services we need. You can watch the entire conversation here.
CUTA is offering some best practices for transit agencies:
All TAAG in person events and meetings scheduled for April are CANCELLED. As per our bylaws, the Board of Directors can hold meetings via teleconference. A date for a Board of Directors meeting will be set shortly and all members will be invited to join in on the call.
We will keep members posted on any other event and meeting changes for May and June, including our AGM, via the newsletter.
All TAAG members are invited to renew their membership by going to https://taaguelph.com/membership/ and following the instructions.
New members are always welcome! Click here to sign up.
The Transit Action Alliance of Guelph is looking for people to serve on our Board of Directors! The Board meets once per month for about 2 hours. Find out more by clicking this link here! Become a member here!