• Three of the projects submitted to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program were approved which will assist in the 2020/2021 transit service.

• The three successful projects include:

  • The replacement of 16 buses in addition to the 3 buses to expand the fleet.

  • A 2.5 million project for the design and upgrade of the Transit Windsor terminal, bus shelters and customer amenities.

  • Phase 1 of the completion of the Transit Master Plan in the amount of $3 million.

   

In response to a question asked by the Chair regarding the key differences in the new buses as compared to the older fleet, P. Delmore responds that the new buses are identical to the 24 buses received two years ago.

Moved by N. Hope, seconded by Councillor Bortolin,

That the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (CIP) verbal update by the Executive Director of Transit Windsor BE RECEIVED.
Carried.

4.4 2020 and 2021 Services Plans

S. Habrun succinctly provides the following overview regarding the 2020 and 2021 Services Plans:

• The plan is to enhance the Sunday service with the new Sunday service schedule to increase service across all roads that currently operate on Sundays. It is expected this will be implemented in September 2020.

• There has been a recommendation for a small route tweak with Transway 1C that would see the bus stay on Tecumseh Road in both directions on the east end. The change to the 1C Transway route was to be discussed at a Public Open House, however, due to COVID it is postponed at this time.

• In 2021, the plan is to dive into the Transit Windsor Master Plan with the implementation of Route 18 which goes from Tecumseh Mall, Devonshire Mall and St. Clair College to connect the east end to the southern portion of the city.

• The implementation of this route would allow the rider to reach their destination in 30 minutes.

• The operating costs for this route is subject to approval by City Council at its 2021 budget deliberations.

• Plan to undertake an annual review. Due to COVID will be reviewing plans with a different lens, i.e. bringing in “on demand” service sooner.

  Councillor Bortolin states that with respect to the Plan going forward, obviously, there will be budget implications. This year transit has taken a “beating” on the operation, which will parlay into 2021 to some degree and ridership will most likely be down for the rest of this year. He asks how do we see the budget implications affecting the plans going