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

St. John’s Transportation Commission (Metrobus) 2011
Market Assessment and Strategic Directions Study – Part B: The Past and Present – Understanding Ridership Trends
capacity available as utilization is 61 percent on street and 24 percent off street (Downtown St.
John’s Parking Study, 2009).
Contributing to a person’s choice for driving downtown is the low cost of parking. In the
downtown, the City’s rate ($60) for monthly parking is lower than the cost of parking in comparable
cities as well as the cost of a Metrobus adult monthly pass ($70). Parking in major employment areas
outside of the downtown is generally free, with the exception of Memorial University.
Since 2007, the parking supply and pricing situation has not changed sufficiently to be considered a
major impact on the reported ridership decline. However, combined with the increased economic
prosperity, generally low congestion levels and the low cost of auto ownership, the pricing and
supply of parking throughout the transit service area are major reasons why people are choosing the
automobile for their travel needs.
6.6 Economic Activity
The recent economic prosperity that St. John’s has been experiencing has been discussed in the
previous section as it relates to automobile ownership, household formation, and employment
growth. Signs of this economic prosperity are also evident in personal income level, which has been
on a steady increase. Between 2008 and 2009, total personal income increased by almost 6 percent
(St. John’s Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Culture, 2009). This increase in
disposable income is one of the factors that are contributing to increased auto ownership.
Oil and Gas Industry
The recent economic recession has not completely bypassed St. John’s, although the rise of the oil
industry has helped cushion the impact. While residential building permits increased slightly between
2008 and 2009, non-residential building permits declined by over 25 percent. St. John’s GDP also
dropped 6.9 percent between 2008 and 2009, while the otherwise declining unemployment rate
increased by 0.5 percentage points (St. John’s Department of Economic Development, Tourism,
and Culture, 2009).
While economic growth generally has a positive impact on transit ridership, the type of economic
growth occurring in St. John’s may not. The oil industry is increasingly now focused on off-shore oil
production instead of on-shore oil refining as in decades past. Employees that work on off-shore oil
rigs often spend extended periods of time off-shore and do not make daily commutes to/from
work. It should be noted that the off-shore oil industry, brings with it a demand for office space to
house supportive industries. Engineering, technologists, and administrative personnel make up 81
percent of the workforce in companies directly involved in the oil and gas sector (City of St. John’s
et al, 2004). However, these jobs are generally not shift oriented, are mostly held by higher income
individuals and are therefore not a strong contributor to ridership growth.
6.7 Other Modes
Active Transportation
There is growing participation and interest in active transportation (walking, cycling) in St. John’s in
recognition of its health benefits and growing popularity as an alternative to automobile travel. As a
result, St. John’s recently began implementing a 20 Year Cycling Master Plan that will create an
integrated cycling and trail network throughout the City. The Plan does identify the importance of
integrating active transportation with transit and makes a recommendation for Metrobus to work
together with the City of St. John’s in an effort to integrate these modes (5 Year Transit Service
Dillon Consulting Limited Page 36