A draft Bruce-Dufferin-Grey-Wellington (BDGW) Unified Regional Transit Study is set to be presented to Grey County’s Committee of the Whole Thursday.
The 360 page study by Dillon Consulting recommends creating a joint municipal services board to run a ‘Unified Regional Transit Network.’
A County staff report summarizing the main points of the study says aointly run board would avoid financial control and legal risk being concentrated in one county.
The draft study recommends a base transit service plan and enhanced service elements which would include options for growth.
The base network would connect to Guelph, Orangeville, Collingwood and Owen Sound, which then have their own urban systems.
It would see fixed-routes along primary highways paired with on-demand services connecting to fixed-route stops.
County staff say in their summary report, that model “reflects lessons learned from existing and previous transit models across the region.” They say it addresses service gaps and creates a more complete, efficient, and accessible network.
One of the barriers to rideshare network operations in rural areas, that’s been talked about in the past, has been varying regulations across municipal boundaries. Staff say the MTO is exploring assuming responsibility for regulating rideshare services across Ontario.
Currently, the Grey Transit Route (GTR) runs from Dundalk to Orangeville and Wiarton to Owen Sound, while the GOST bus runs from Owen Sound to Guelph. There is also Saugeen Mobility Regional Transit (SMART)
The study lays out the options of using current providers like Driverseat and Voyago (part of consultants’ preferred options), launching a competitive single provider procurement process, and possibly a “clean slate” contract with providers when the province’s OTIF funding is due to end in 2029.
The study also points out some federal and provincial grants that may be available to the system.
A recommendation report will be brought forward early in the new term of Council for consideration.