Survey says: Clearview proceeds with implementing Stayner bus
Clearview Township is proceeding with establishing a transit system in Stayner after receiving results from a recent survey.
Council voted May 16 to direct staff to negotiate with transit suppliers and come back to council with a contract that includes routes, fares, times of operation and stop locations.
When gathering input, staff focused efforts in Stayner, distributing hard copies of the survey to retirement residences, nursing homes, Stayner Collegiate Institute, the Stayner Arena, the Stayner branch of the library and Reinhart Foods. They also advertised a link to the online survey.
In total, 315 surveys were completed (233 online and 85 hard copies).
CAO Steve Sage said the responses were within the expected range.
“I do think there are other users out there who would benefit from the program,” said Sage.
The survey found 83 per cent said they would use the Clearview public transit system, even if only occasionally, and 92 per cent said they are in favour of establishing a transit system even if they would not use it.
Sage recommended moving forward with a six-month trial and then staff would report back to council on the usage.
The first phase of the transit plan will only service the Stayner area with connections to Wasaga Beach. In this year’s budget, council approved $82,500 for a six-month bus service, which would be offset by an estimated $12,375 in ticket revenue. One accessible bus would stop at the Real Canadian Superstore in Wasaga Beach, allowing riders to connect to the Wasaga Beach and Collingwood transit links, and at the roundabout parking lot at Highway 26 and Airport Road.
According to the survey, about 65 per cent said they would use the bus between one and three times per week. About 45 per cent said they would be willing to walk 2-3 blocks to the bus stop, 25 per cent said they would be willing to walk one block or less and just over five per cent said they would require pick-up at their door.
The survey also addressed specific questions about times of use, preferred routes and bus stops.
