This election cycle is becoming more divisive than ever. However the one thing more people can agree on is our transit system needs a lot of work to make it truly usable. There are many reasons for this, and it doesn’t help that funding for new routes doesn’t happen until areas have enough density to support transit infrastructure. The problem with this approach is that many people moving to Milton are coming from areas with developed transit systems and often only have one car and maybe none. If they can’t rely on transit from day one they are more likely to get an additional car and chances are they won’t consider going back to transit.

Milton has always been a car centric community which is not sustainable as we approach a population of 200,000. The truth is it will be more time and cost effective to have reliable passenger focus transit options than continuing to assume people will just jump in their cars and add to the congestion. Maintaining roads will cost more in the long run compared to having a fully functional transit system. The biggest problem is funding. This is truly a case of if you build it they will come. Milton needs the Provincial and Federal Governments to step up and help us build the core infrastructure needed to support the growth they are asking of us. To grow we need all day GO service, we have heard every excuse about why they can’t get the third track, meanwhile the Province has the money to create the 413 which would serve less people then All day Go to Milton.

Things the Town of Milton could do today to improve Transit

Prioritize routes during peak commute periods that focus on employment zones, it should be possible to have 15-20 buses for the 2-3 hour peaks with on demand service for the rest of the day. This is already being done for the 401 Industrial and the 31 Fifth Line routes. I have been exploring the 2021 Census and it is clear just how care-dependent this town is. If you want to explore for yourself I have created a Commute Dashboard.

Create a special “Senior” route using the smaller accessible buses which can take those with moderate mobility challenges to the front entrance of community centers and big stores so they won’t have to walk so far from the closest bus stop. Milton does have an Access+ however there is a registration process which many won’t qualify for, but yet find the distance from bus stops too far. This service could be a combination of fixed route and on demand service. Imagine someone from a senior’s building being able to be picked up in front of their building and dropped off at the entrance of a grocery store for a medical appointment. They can retain their independence and not have to rely on an expensive Uber ride or family members.

The reality is it is going to take another 10 years before Milton Transit can start stabilizing. Until more development is complete west of Tremaine, or the Education Village is developed it will be difficult to build out a more grid based, east/west & north/south, route system. As a result Milton Transit needs to come up with new and creative ways to keep residents moving.

A monthly transit pass is currently $97, which is less than insurance. So if each new household can get by with 1 car and 1 or 2 bus passes, then they are saving money and not adding to congestion. The reality is there is no magic bullet to fix transit or congestion, however there are 2 things that every resident can do to push better transit. First talk to candidates about creating realistic transit solutions that can be implemented today, and actually show up and vote October 26. In addition you can apply pressure on our MPP and MP’s to invest more in local transit. Second, show up and provide input into future routes and actually use transit whenever possible. The fewer cars we have on the road during peak travel periods the faster it becomes for everyone.