Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Developing the Bus Rapid Transit network............................................................................ 2 Rapid Transit Service and Operations.................................................................................... 6 Public Consultation ................................................................................................................. 7 Business Impacts .................................................................................................................... 8 Traffic, Congestion and Parking ............................................................................................. 9 Cost Estimate ..........................................................................................................................10
This document issued July 19, 2017.
October 2017
1
Developing the Bus Rapid Transit network Question
Response
Are the preferred corridors really the best ones for Rapid Transit?
The Smart Moves 2030 Transportation Master Plan identified a potential network, and the Rapid Transit Master Plan built on that work to develop and evaluate thirteen different corridor segments. The evaluation applied a comprehensive evaluation framework based on five guiding principles:
Long List of Corridor Segments
Economic Development and City Building Transportation Capacity and Mobility Community Building and Revitalization Ease of Implementation and Operational Viability Affordability and Fiscal Responsibility
The corridors approved by Council on May 16, 2017 and incorporated in the Rapid Transit Master Plan were selected based on having best met the guiding principles.
October 2017
2
Question
Response
Why does the Rapid Transit go through Western University campus? Western students do not need any more buses.
The purpose of Rapid Transit is to improve the efficiency of transit service to and from various locations in London. Postsecondary students represent a large proportion of current transit ridership. The 2016 customer service survey of LTC riders found that more than 90 per cent of LTC customers take transit at least three days per week. The majority (40 per cent) of LTC customers are between the ages of 18 and 24. The gender split between riders is 57 per cent female and 43 per cent male. In addition, the preferred north corridor serves people who travel to Western University, University Hospital, King’s College, and St. Joseph’s Hospital. Existing bus routes will be re-organized to connect to Rapid Transit, and balance service to Western with service to other areas.
Why does the Rapid Transit go to Fanshawe College? Fanshawe students do not need any more buses.
The purpose of Rapid Transit is to improve the efficiency of transit service to and from various parts of London. Postsecondary students represent a large proportion of current transit ridership. The 2016 customer service survey of LTC riders found that more than 90 per cent of LTC customers take transit at least three days per week. The majority (40 per cent) of LTC customers are between the ages of 18 and 24. The gender split between riders is 57 per cent female and 43 per cent male. In addition, the preferred east corridor serves major employment areas along Highbury Avenue, and will serve future development at the London Psychiatric Hospital Lands. Existing bus routes will be re-organized to connect to Rapid Transit, and balance service to Fanshawe with service to other areas.
October 2017
3
Question
Response
Why are you shortening the east/west corridor? East London is left out of Rapid Transit.
Transit service will continue to serve London as it does today. Existing bus routes will be re-organized to connect to Rapid Transit stations. This work has been started by LTC, and will continue as planning continues towards the implementation of Rapid Transit. London Transit Commission conducts an annual service plan process, which will be integrated with Rapid Transit. The Full BRT network could be expanded in the future with further study, including extending Rapid Transit service in dedicated lanes along Oxford Street East from Fanshawe College to the London International Airport.
Why was King Street selected? York Street is a better option for Rapid Transit.
One key consideration in the recommendation for King Street included maintaining traffic capacity on York Street into and across Downtown. York Street is a major east-west corridor for general traffic to the east and west through Downtown. Converting two lanes to Rapid Transit on this major corridor would have greater impacts to the downtown transportation network than converting one through lane and one parking lane on King Street. Another key consideration is the existing and future transit ridership. Rapid Transit needs to go where people want to be, within a reasonable walking distance. York Street is further from major trip generators in the downtown, which are more prominent along King Street, Dundas Street, and Queens Avenue. Locating the Central Transit Hub on York Street would provide a convenient connection to the inter-regional bus station and train station. However, these are not major transit trip generators compared to other downtown businesses and attractions. Placing Rapid Transit closer to the major trip generators is preferable to attract regular daily transit ridership, as opposed to specialpurpose trips.
Why not a monorail?
October 2017
In order to get the full benefit of the monorail technology, the system, including each station, has to be elevated. This does not work well in existing urban areas, especially when there are property requirements outside of the existing road right-of-way.
4
Question
Response Additionally, the noise impacts of trains running overhead prove to be an issue. Elevated routes would require property at each station location, with elevators and stairs to provide access to stations above the ground. Elevated routes are also more expensive to construct and maintain than surface routes. The more cost-effective approach of using existing road right-ofway, which are municipally-owned, was a founding direction for the Shift Rapid Transit Master Plan.
Why not use the rail corridors for rapid transit?
The rapid transit routes are not situated on the railway corridors within London as the existing routes would not effectively serve the ridership. The Rapid Transit system is intended to be an urban system that services the major transit nodes within the City and is intended to help transform the City by promoting intensification and growth along those corridors. In terms of transit need, the assessment is based on current ridership and future projections.
Which corridors have mixed traffic? If mixed corridors are acceptable in some areas then why not keep transit in mixed traffic in Downtown?
The BRT Network includes a section of Rapid Transit in mixed traffic for approximately 1km on Wharncliffe Road between Oxford Street and Riverside Drive. There is also a short section of mixed traffic on Wellington Street between York Street and Horton Street under the CN rail corridor. Operating transit in lanes with general traffic, referred to as mixed traffic operations, reduces the effectiveness and reliability of rapid transit. Every effort has been made to limit the amount of mixed traffic operation for the Rapid Transit network.
October 2017
5
Rapid Transit Service and Operations Question
Response
How do we know there is enough demand to make the service work?
Ridership projections have been completed by experienced and reputable transit planners, and through multiple studiers. The case for rapid transit and the service proposed has been confirmed through the business case submitted to the Province. In general, higher order Rapid Transit systems are more attractive (as compared to regular bus systems) to people who have a choice between a personal automobile and transit.
How much money do London transit fares generate and how much money is presently needed in subsidy for the operation of London transit?
As reported in London Transit Commission’s 2016 Annual Report (http://ltconline.ca/Pubs/2016AnnualReport.pdf), the 2016 operating budget program for conventional and specialized transit services totaled approximately $69.145 million.
Isn’t transit ridership down in 2016?
Annual transit ridership in London in 2016 was 22.6 million, compared to 11.9 million in 1996 (on the conventional service).
Operating cost per conventional transit ride was $2.78, and the Municipal cost per conventional transit ride was $1.05, in 2016.
Rapid Transit will help build ridership by attracting choice riders who are more influenced by travel time, convenience and comfort than by cost. Will local routes overlap with RT service?
October 2017
Based on LTC’s Rapid Transit Integration Study (2016), some local or “base” transit routes will continue to operate in some sections of the RT corridors. Therefore the forecasted transit ridership is distributed between RT and base transit.
6
Question
Response
I have concerns regarding existing bus routes, who can I speak to?
London Transit Commission conducts an annual service plan process, which will be integrated with Rapid Transit. The conventional transit service is planned to grow to better serve London, with increased service frequency on routes feeding the rapid transit corridors, and expanding service to peripheral areas of the City not currently served by transit. If you have suggestions for LTC’s Service Plan please email
[email protected] or call 519-451-1347.
Public Consultation Question
Response
Has there been public consultation on Shift?
Shift has included the largest consultation process the City has ever undertaken, and additional consultation has occurred through The London Plan, Smart Moves, and the City’s Strategic Plan. Shift has held meetings with business associations, community associations, and other stakeholders. You can see the list of events so far on our website.
Can I see the Business Case? Can I review other technical reports?
Please visit the project website to see reports including the Business Case. You can also review material from the Public Information Centres.
Can I see the Rapid Transit Master Plan and supporting technical analysis?
The Rapid Transit Master Plan, including the supporting technical analysis, consultation and engagement materials, and conceptual design is available on the project website: http://www.shiftlondon.ca/reports.
October 2017
7
Business Impacts Question
Response
Has the City taken into account the potential impact of lost assessment revenue should businesses in the affected area actually depart?
Empirical evidence from other cities that have a Rapid Transit network has shown that there is greater opportunity for business and net positive land value uplift in commercial areas nearby Rapid Transit stations and corridors. The City is committed to minimizing potential short-term impacts to businesses along the Rapid Transit corridors while construction is taking place.
What are the benefits of Bus Rapid Transit to businesses and families?
Whether you are a current transit rider or never wish to give up your car, investments in Rapid Transit will benefit you. Here are some potential benefits:
October 2017
Make transit a more attractive choice. Transit trips will be faster on the Rapid Transit corridors compared to buses in mixed traffic.
Create jobs and attract talent and investments. Rapid transit projects are a catalyst for urban regeneration, community building and economic investment.
Encourage compact and walkable communities. Mixed-use, transit-oriented developments will enhance the public realm.
Reduce congestion on streets. By 2030, 25% more cars are expected to be on London roadways. Bus Rapid Transit can move more people more efficiently, comfortably and reliably.
Increase land values. When looking at similar cities undertaking Rapid Transit in Canada, the U.S. and Australia, Rapid Transit is proven to increase land values.
Increase activity in business areas. Pedestrian activity will increase around transit villages, Rapid Transit stations and downtown.
Reduce emissions and create a greener London. Shifting to Rapid Transit will help to eliminate over 233,000 tonnes of GHGs in the coming decades. Reducing the per trip greenhouse gas emissions will improve air quality across the City.
8
Question
Response
Increase the carrying capacity of our roadways overall. A rapid transit lane can carry three to eight times as many people as a general purpose vehicle lane.
Save households income. Families can save $7,500 per year for each extra vehicle they don’t need to own.
Traffic, Congestion and Parking Question
Response
Shouldn’t we spend more money on roads instead of transit? Our streets are already busy.
One of London’s goals is to maintain rural natural and agricultural lands, by concentrating future population growth in existing built-up areas. As the city grows inwards and upwards, we need more space-efficient ways to move people. Widening roads is not an effective solution on its own – creating a way to move more people with fewer vehicles is also needed. We cannot continue to widen roads to accommodate single occupant vehicle travel as the preferred mode, particularly in the Downtown. One bus can replace dozens of cars, and so Rapid Transit can move more people much more efficiently. This project supports growth across the city and in high traffic areas such as Downtown London.
Why doesn’t the City just time all the signals to help all traffic move faster? This would also help transit.
The City continually monitors and updates signal timing plans to manage traffic congestion. Traffic signals are timed to move the most number of vehicles through an intersection and along a corridor in the most safe and efficient manner. A new study will be undertaken starting in 2017 to review and improve traffic signals across the City.
October 2017
9
Cost Estimate Question
Response
How much will Shift cost?
Shift is expected to cost $500 million dollars (in nominal dollars – the amount that would be required at the time when the system is constructed). The cost to London taxpayers is capped at $130 million in 2017 dollars, the majority of which will be paid by development charges in support of growth. A portion would be from the general tax base. The remaining investments will be requested from provincial and federal governments.
How is London going to afford the cost of Rapid Transit?
While Shift is expected to cost $500 million dollars (in nominal dollars), the cost to London taxpayers is capped at $130 million, the majority of which will be paid by development charges in support of growth. A portion would be from the general tax base. The 2017 budget has incorporated the City’s share in the 10 year budget. The remaining investments have been put forward as a funding request from the provincial and federal government.
Don’t I have to pay for this anyway through federal and provincial taxes?
Londoners are already paying for transit projects through their federal and provincial taxes, just not in London. If provincial funds were allocated on a per-capital basis over the past five years, for example, London could have received $413 million. London’s allocation over the last five years was $51 million.
Does the cost estimate include the cost of property acquisition along the corridors?
Yes, the cost estimate includes consideration of property acquisition for the BRT Network.
Does the cost estimate include the cost of utility relocations along the corridors?
Yes, the cost estimate includes consideration of utility relocations for the BRT Network.
October 2017
10
Question
Response
If implemented, how much money will be generated by BRT fares, and how much money will taxpayers have to subsidize of its operation?
Based on the projected ridership for the BRT network, the fare box recovery ratio for BRT is expected to be similar to the 2015 conventional LTC service ratio.
How will fares work? Will Rapid Transit cost more than conventional bus service?
Transit fares are anticipated to be the same for both conventional bus service and rapid transit. This fare structure was used in the Business Case to estimate future revenues. Exact fares will not be determined until the system is ready to operate.
What will it cost to operate Rapid Transit?
As detailed in the SHIFT Business Case, operating costs were developed for each year to 2050, taking into account a phased implementation of Rapid Transit. The BRT network is expected to cost about $12.8 million per year to operate, in 2017 dollars.
October 2017
11
