A recent study found that improving local transit options is important for the future of North Perth and surrounding communities.
North Perth Council recently endorsed the final Transit Needs Assessment Report at the council meeting on February 9.
Lindsay Cline, the stand-in Director of Strategic Initiatives for North Perth, says the report was completed in partnership with the Town of St. Marys, and looked at better understanding transit needs locally. Federal funding through Infrastructure Canada's Rural Transit Solutions Fund helped complete the study.
"Ultimately the Transit Needs Assessment looks at how our residents currently travel, what the gaps are, and what types of public transportation options could work in North Perth. Really the goal of the study is to guide future decisions so that any transit improvements reflect the real needs of our community," Cline explained.
She notes that the study showed ongoing needs for transit services in the region.
"The study found that many of our residents rely on travelling outside the municipality to for things like work, school, healthcare and other services, especially to places like Stratford and Waterloo," Cline pointed out.
Cline adds that recommendations include continued participation in what's left of the PC Connects system, which closed down many routes that used to exist, among other things.
"So the study suggested continued participation in the PC Connects transit system, as well as improving the existing Route 1 service to Waterloo region and then, exploring a targeted new connection between Listowel, Mitchell and Stratford," she said.
North Perth will apply for funding through the province's Ontario Transit Investment Fund, and pending the results of that application, council will look at potentially working to implement those recommendations in the future.
The Transit Needs Assessment can be viewed on the North Perth website.
