Mayor Cam Guthrie

You Came. You Spoke. We Listened. Now What? #Guelph

Thank you to everyone that came out to the “Let’s Talk Transit” Town hall last night.

I felt it went very well with up to 100 people in attendance and many people interacting online through social media. If you missed the town hall and would like to see it, the link to the video is here: VIDEO

I am committed to: 

  • Taking all the suggestions from last night (and earlier ones complied) and putting them into a chart to send to transit management for review.
  • I will sit down and ask “What on this chart is already being addressed and/or will be implemented in 2018? 
  • Any suggestions not being addressed in 2018, I will ask management to provide answers as to why they cannot be accommodated/implemented.

I am viewing issues that arose last night into two categories: 

  1. Enhanced Customer Service/Experience – Communications: An overall theme from you last night had to do with shelters, signage, lack of maps, technology and pro-active communications regarding dropped runs or stops not being used during construction season….and much more.
  2. Routes: I heard clearly that there’s routes that may not be working for some (and more data will be needed to examine these assumptions), and routes that should be expanded or that need to start earlier or end later.

As I write this post today, I strongly believe that “tweaking” more routes, (whether the need for them to be changed or expanded), should wait until the current transit service review is done. However, I will explore options for more enhanced customer service /experience and communication upgrades that can occur as soon as possible.

The elephant in the room is one of funding. Council already set the budget for 2018. With council support, I would be willing to explore using funds either from reserves or the upcoming 2017 year end surplus to fund potential enhancements as I described above.

Again, thank you to everyone that came out. As info is provided to me, I will post the answers here for you all to see!

Take care,

Cam

Cam Guthrie

10 responses to “You Came. You Spoke. We Listened. Now What? #Guelph”

  1. Carla Pallini Avatar
    Carla Pallini

    Not sure why there is such a problem with city transit?? We need to cover all bases where transportation is concerned. We have to get to our jobs. Plus improve all areas for dissabled trying to get around. I have seen improvement in the city for this. Hopefully it gets better and better.

    Reply
    1. Cam Guthrie Avatar
      Cam Guthrie

      Thanks Carla! I agree!

      Reply
  2. sylvia thurston Avatar
    sylvia thurston

    I do NOT take Guelph Transit and haven’t since the 1960 ‘s when I was a student at U of G — I just want to say — I LIKE THE WAY  YOU DO BUSINESS  !!!!!!!   You allow the people who use and need the service to express themselves , you listen to them / take note of what was said and then try to find workable solutions . It’s too bad other forms of Gov’t don’t do the same !!!!!!     Keep up the Great Job you are doing !!!!!!!!!   Sylvia Thurston !

    Reply
    1. Cam Guthrie Avatar
      Cam Guthrie

      Thanks Sylvia!

      Reply
  3. Barry Avatar
    Barry

    You talked about the elephant in the room but didn’t Guelph just get funding for transit from the Feds and Province or am I missing something here?

    Reply
    1. Cam Guthrie Avatar
      Cam Guthrie

      Capital. Not operating.

      Reply
    2. L Avatar
      L

      Here is the release I found regarding this”funding”.

      “Of the $106 million commitment, up to $58 million will be provided as the federal share (40%) and up to $48 million as the provincial share (33%). The municipal/partner investment required to maximize the federal/provincial commitment is $39 million, which represents a 27% cost-share.”

      We must commit to this funding. ( This last sentence is Mayor Guthrie’s )

      Reply
      1. Barry Smith Avatar
        Barry Smith

        So where does it say capital when our problem is operational? If we look to contract out do they use our buses which is capital? And if capital what do we spend it on. 20 years of budgets in my career so I know the difference especially being a Fed in an operational department Oh coffee buddy who has deserted me.

      2. Cam Guthrie Avatar
        Cam Guthrie

        I’ll explain over coffee, buddy!

      3. Barry Avatar
        Barry

        No need for an explanation as I found out where it is to be used. Bus shelters and new buses which are capital but isn’t it the drivers (and extra buses/shelters which is Capital) that are needed. So great for more buses or shelters but more drivers are salary and operational expenses.
        Sad on another front that we don’t have spare garbage trucks according to Jamie. His broke down (he said a number are getting old) and he had to wait till it was fixed before resuming his route. And that you call efficiency?.

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