Metrobus Transit Study.pdf - City of St. John's

St. John’s Transportation Commission (Metrobus) 2011
Market Assessment and Strategic Directions Study – Part D: Strategic Directions
As illustrated, the City of Mount Pearl provides a low level of service compared to other
municipalities within its peer group. This has led to a low level of ridership which might be
expected to double if services were improved.
While Metrobus operates the service on behalf of Mount Pearl, it has little control over the planning
and level of service provided. In 2007, several changes in service were recommended in Mount
Pearl, however, none were adopted by the City Council.
While the low ridership does not impact Metrobus’ bottom line (since it operates at full cost
recovery), this situation has a negative impact on the image of Metrobus as an organization (i.e. the
service is only for people without other travel options).
Without a regional transit agreement in place, Metrobus is faced with two options. The first is to
continue with business as usual and accept the responsibility for operating service to Mount Pearl at
full cost recovery.
The second option is to have more influence on the level of service provided in municipalities where
Metrobus operates.
Metrobus has a set of Commission adopted service standards. These service standards should be
applied throughout Metrobus’ transit service area, regardless of the municipal jurisdiction in which it
operates. Service standards should guide not only level of service but also performance. This may
involve an update to service standards to identify performance targets such as service utilization or
load factor that would identify minimum service levels and financial targets required in the system.
For example, if Metrobus were to move towards a minimum 30 minute weekday peak period
headway, this would need to be updated in the service standards document and applied to all routes,
including those in municipalities that have contracted out service.
Metrobus should consider adopting a system-wide service standards document that would be
applied to all municipalities that may be serviced by Metrobus. This will allow Metrobus to operate
as an integrated system and the public to receive consistent treatment. Given the existing agreement
in place, this may be applied on a move forward basis (i.e. for new municipalities that wish to receive
service by Metrobus).
Metrobus should also work with the City of Mount Pearl to interline routes at the Village Mall. As
previously identified, the current practice is for all Mount Pearl routes to terminate at the Village
Shopping Centre and for buses to return to Mount Pearl. This creates a forced transfer for
passengers and reduces the attractiveness of the service.
Recommendations:
1. Metrobus should request the Province to facilitate and assist municipalities in achieving
regional cooperation in the provision of public transit services. This should include at a
minimum transit services linking St. John’s, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Conception Bay South
and Torbay; and
2. In the short-term, Metrobus should begin discussions with the City of Mount Pearl to
develop a service standards document which outlines a minimum level of service for
passenger, regardless of political jurisdiction. Full service integration should also be
explored. More directive standards should be set on a go forward basis (i.e. with new
municipalities that request service by Metrobus).
Dillon Consulting Limited Page 107