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York Region operates three public transit services,
including the York Region Transit (YRT) conventional
service and the Viva bus rapid transit service. Combined,
these services form a single integrated transit system.
York
Region also operates the door-to-door Mobility Plus
service for individuals with disabilities.
With the introduction of Viva in 2005, York Region has begun
changing people’s perceptions of public transit across the
GTA. The Rapid Transit Committee is committed to building
on that success by moving forward with Viva Phase 2 and the
construction of dedicated “rapidways.”
rapid transit
Goal: Advance transit use in York Region
Achievements:
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In Viva’s first year of operation, transit boardings grew by more than 35% |
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In March 2006, the Province of Ontario announced funding for its share of the construction of the Spadina extension |
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York Region successfully secured $7.3 million from the Province to begin preliminary engineering and design of Phase 2 and pursued funding from both Provincial and Federal governments |
ridership growth
Goal: To shape public attitude about transit and increase ridership through innovative and attractive service offerings
Achievements:
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Combined ridership on YRT and Viva reached 17.1 million for the year, or some 69,000 passengers per weekday |
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Successful development of a new Five Year Service Plan, which will see revenue service hours increase by approximately 500,000 hours, vehicles by 84, and ridership to 27 million by 2010 |
innovative technology
Goal: To pursue new and innovative technologies that will enhance the customer experience and improve the overall quality
Achievements:
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Continued participation in the GTA Smart Card project, which will go live in York Region in the fall of 2008 |
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Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) systems approved to improve tracking and management of the transit fleet |
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Video monitors installed on Viva bus rapid transit service to compliment existing technology, including on-board stop annunciators and Variable Message Signs (VMS), which provide riders with an interactive transit experience |
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Delivery of Interactive Voice Response (IVR) phone system, with launch planned for 2007, and continued development of a web-based trip planning system to provide a higher level of communications to customers |
specialized service
Goal: Provide convenient specialized public transit service for those unable to use conventional transit
Achievements:
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Introduction of new service delivery model and new performance-based contracts for the delivery of all bus, minivan and sedan services |
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Continued to accommodate all requested trips within two business days |
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284,000 trips were accommodated in 2006 (8.8% over 2005), and 193,600 calls were answered by Mobility Plus reservations staff (18% over 2005) |
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Updated Mobility Plus client applications older than three years |
capital asset management
Goal: To acquire high-quality capital assets and ensure ongoing required maintenance
Achievements:
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14 transit vehicles (five replacement, nine expansion); five additional Viva buses are scheduled for delivery in 2007 |
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Installation of 300 waste-recycling containers at bus stops to support the waste collection and recycling program at conventional transit and Viva bus rapid transit stops, shelters and terminals |
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Upgraded 210 bus stops with concrete treatment for better accessibility and safety during boarding |
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Installation of 50 new benches at existing shelters, installation of 25 new shelters and began a pilot project for 10 solar lighting shelters |
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Research and planning conducted to facilitate the acquisition of land for the construction of Region-owned transit operations and maintenance facilities |
continuous improvement
Goal: To seek improvement and innovation in all aspects of transit services
Achievements:
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Conducted Customer Satisfaction Surveys for conventional transit, Viva bus rapid transit, and Mobility Plus services for individuals with disabilities |
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Introduced the Contractor Report Card program involving random audits to monitor and evaluate performance and provide feedback to providers |
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Increased customer communication, including over 181,750 calls handled by the YRT call centre (4.8% over 2005), and over 2.1 million visits logged to the YRT website (26.2% over 2005) |
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Execution of two performance-based operations and maintenance contract extensions, with a third pending |
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Reviewed and continuously improved YRT processes, practices and policies |
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Recipient of the 2006 American
Public Transportation Association Innovation Award
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Combined ridership on YRT and Viva reached 17.1 million for the year (12.5% increase over 2005), or some 69,000 passengers per weekday
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Upgraded 210 bus stops with concrete treatment for better accessibility and safety |
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