I N T R O D U C I N G . The M uskoka E xtended T ransit System Or M - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

..in partnership with allied organizations …working harder to serve you !

The Muskoka Extended Transit System

Or

M E T

… connect on the MET…

I N T R O D U C I N G …….

..in partnership with allied organizations …working harder to serve you !

M T O G R A N T - O V E R V I E W

The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has established the Community Transportation Pilot Grant Program (the "CT Program"). This MTO CT program w ill run until March 2 0 1 7 . It offers funding to provide financial assistance to Ontario municipalities for the development and implementation of community transportation initiatives.

Congratulations Muskoka…….

The District Municipality of Muskoka was awarded $100,000 in MTO funding and is currently working on a pilot rural transit system. Our goal for this project is to make it easier for the general public residing in more rural areas to get to communities, programs and services.

..in partnership with allied organizations …working harder to serve you !

EXCITING NEWS!!

M E T - M E E T I N G T H E G O A L

..in partnership with allied organizations …working harder to serve you !

Needs Analysis Approach

• Community Engagement “Quality of Life” Sessions where transit was mentioned every time.
• LURA results (consulting firm study done in 2011)… also mentions transit as a general requirement
• Program Scan Survey Results
• Steering Committee (discussions surrounding needs, programs and services)

The goal is to make it easier for people living in more rural areas to get to communities, programs and services.

M E T - M E E T I N G T H E G O A L

..in partnership with allied organizations …working harder to serve you !

Discoveries Through our needs analysis process, we’ve rationalized that the most effective way we could use this grant, is to offer accessibility to as many people as we could in rural areas to bring them into communities. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Seniors (people who are young and/or fit enough to get around but do not drive)
• Single Family with small children (who may not have access to a vehicle)
• General low income families without regular access to a vehicle

The goal is to make it easier for people living in more rural areas to get to communities, programs and services.

M E T - M E E T I N G T H E G O A L

..in partnership with allied organizations …working harder to serve you !

Route Analysis Working with our GIS Department, we considered…

• Senior permanent resident demographics
• Low income areas (including trailer parks)
• Destination areas closest to community programs/services

The goal is to make it easier for people living in more rural areas to get to communities, programs and services.

Muskoka Transit

..in partnership with allied organizations …working harder to serve you !

MET ROUTE MAP – DWIGHT/DORSET TO HUNTSVILLE

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H O W W I L L I T W O R K ?

• The MET (Muskoka Extended Transit) will be using school buses.
• The first MET Bus Stop will be close to a school starting around 9: 00am.
• Latest arrival for final route stop would be approximately 10: 15.
• There will be a route with stops along the way.
• Mid afternoon (approximately 2pm), the MET school bus will start heading

from last drop off back towards starting school point.

• MET will be dropping people off at the route stops on the way back.
• Frequency will be based on usage. Initial launch once/ week per route.

This will give the passengers a window of 3 ½ hours on average to have their appointments, banking, shopping ..etc..

Route schedule in final stages

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H O W W I L L I T W O R K ?

PROPOSED MET FARE (FAIR) PRICES:

$3.00 ONE WAY $5.00 RETURN

(Passenger will receive a ticket as a return pass)

GETTING THE WORD OUT ..

..in partnership with allied organizations …working harder to serve you !

• Currently meeting with community groups to introduce the transit project and get their feedback

and suggestions

• Distribution of flyers and posters within communities which would include:
• route details (stops and times).
• pricing information.
• a 1-800 # people can access for updated route information (eg: cancellations)
• We will launch a media campaign to roll out the Muskoka Extended Transit project.

(print, radio .. Including live coverage of two route runs)

• Clear Signage at pickup and destination stops … MET sign in window of bus when MET operating
• Ongoing communication through Community Calendars (The Moose will support with live

updates)

• We will have a 1-800# virtual line where people (especially without access to social media) can

call in to:

• get route updates (eg.. cancelled because of weather)
• leave a message (challenge, question or suggestion)

..in partnership with allied organizations …working harder to serve you !

W H E R E D O W E G O F R O M H E R E ? ?

• Route access and safety. Hammonds Transportation is conducting route and stop

safety checks on draft routes through their Safety/Compliance department.

• Developing branding and promotional launch.
• Continuing to introduce Muskoka Extended Transit to local communities. We

already presented to Dorset, Port Carling, Baysville and MacTier seniors/ community groups. Port Severn, Dwight and Vankoughnet are scheduled for the next few days.

• Operational finalizations

..in partnership with allied organizations …working harder to serve you !

W E A P P R E C I A T E Y O U R T I M E …

Thank you!!