Leaping into a better transit future
In this edition of On the Move, Jennifer Keesmaat explains why cities need to build more transit-oriented communities, we look at how free transit works, plus updates on other transit movements.
Welcome to Issue #3 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.
Have you gotten your OnYourWay reloadable tap and ride card for Guelph Transit yet? Guelph Transit, in an effort to make it easier for people to get the card, are opening up the ServiceGuelph location inside City Hall on Saturday February 29th and Saturday March 28th from 10 am to 2 pm The card is FREE until April 30th after which time it will cost you $5.00.
As mentioned in our last two newsletters, there have been some hiccups with the roll out of the OnYourWay card and system. The newest is the limited payment methods available online with only credit cards being accepted. However, Guelph Transit says they will look into it. Help us keep Fares Fair and Accessible. Join TAAG as a member!
Last Saturday, members of the community and Mayor Cam Guthrie gathered at Planet Bean to talk about the Mayors proposal for Free Transit for Kids and Teens.
Andrew Donovan breaks down 4 ways we could potentially pay for this program.
There are some who think free transit should also be extended to seniors.
Queen’s University Journal says Free public transportation could get cities further
Was going all in on Electric Buses a bad idea for Guelph?
A public complaint lead to a removal of anti-abortion ad from Guelph Transit buses.
TAAG invites interested people and groups to join us at our Getting Around Guelph Pub Night on Wednesday March 25th or at our next Board meeting on Thursday March 12th to discuss this proposal in more detail and prepare support for it when it appears in front of Council this April.
On Thursday night, the City of Guelph hosted #ShapingGuelph 2041: A conversation about a growing city at the Delta Hotel. Speakers included Guelph Chief Planner Todd Salter, Pamela Robinson from Ryerson University, and Jennifer Keesmaat, Toronto’s former chief city planner. If you missed this excellent event, you can watch the entire proceeding on the GuelphPolitico Facebook page (Editor Note: Consider throwing a couple bucks to independent media as this was the only local media outlet to cover this important event and transit issues for that matter.)
Listen to Jennifer Keesmaat tell CBC KW that cities need to build more sustainable communities (and better transit networks with them.)
The Guelph Transit drivers are usually great. So it is nice to see a shout out online once in awhile inside of complaints:
The Region of Waterloo says it'll take two years to build Grand River Transit's new bus $104 million dollar maintenance facility in Waterloo.
Today is the last day of free rides for Grand River Transit and the ION LRT and getting your refund due to the strike.
GO Transit is reintroducing the ride anywhere for $10.00 Sunday Funday pass.
The Globe and Mail looks at the complicated saga that is TTC fare evasion, while most TTC fares are going up on Sunday. A petition has also been launched to keep the TTC-GO discount fare.
Think we have it bad in Guelph? Here is a summary of the troubles the new LRT system has caused riders in Ottawa.
Via Rail expects slow return to normal service starting Tuesday.
'Do we care about the public?': Cities weigh free public transit amid rising costs.
The Huffington Post looks at what happens when transit is free while The Guardian reports on how Luxembourg is first country to make all public transport free.
This survey lists the Best and Worst United States Metros for Commuting via Public Transportation and it isn’t pretty for some major cities.
Learn about the Essential Elements of Good Transit that help build Frequent Transit Networks.
Disappearing GO-TTC fare discount is a major blow to regional transit.
Can you make the grade as a GO train conductor? Take this quiz.
Join TAAG for a casual conversation about transit and how we move around the city at our Getting Around Guelph Pub Night on Wednesday March 25th from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Bobby O’Brien’s Irish Pub in Downtown Guelph. RSVP here.
TAAG will be hosting three Understanding Transit with TAAG nights for community members, non-profit groups, and businesses. These hour long sessions will introduce the community to the dilemmas decision-makers face when planning transit. They will also learn on how we can work together to advocate for a transit system that is frequent, affordable, and accessible for everyone. How to register for a session will be posted on our website.
TAAG’s Annual General Meeting and Membership Renewals are coming up this May. Please renew now or at the AGM tentatively planned for May 28th, 2020.
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!
The next TAAG Board of Directors meeting is on Thursday, March 12th starting at 6:45 p.m. at the Co-operators Headquarters in Downtown Guelph. Click here for instructions on how to access the building after hours. All TAGG Members and interested members of the public, including community groups and non-profits, are invited to attend. Find out about our membership options by clicking here. For more information about TAAG, check out this link.