There’s been mixed reaction to Guelph Transit‘s bus realignment one month after it was introduced, but general manager Mike Spicer says the system is working well overall.
Major service changes went to into effect on Sept. 3 that included new routes around Guelph, reduced frequency in some areas, and increased frequency in others.
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“I think the realignment as a whole and as a network has worked very, very well,” Spicer said in an interview with CJOY News on Tuesday. “I think what we need to do is still look at some of the routes and some of the timing points.”
Spicer said adjustments will have to be made moving forward and one concern he keeps hearing is that the buses are getting stuck in traffic and riders are missing their transfers.
“And that’s what we’re trying to tweak,” he explained. “Are we cutting ourselves too short and trying to understand that certain times of the day the traffic volumes, especially along the Gordon Street corridor, can be more difficult than other times of the day.”
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As part of a $19.5-million transit investment announced in March, $500,000 is being spent on upgrading the traffic control system that coordinates traffic signals along major streets. It would involve installing a new system that includes transit signal priority.
Spicer said he hopes that upgrade is made soon.
“Those are the types of things that will help us keep our buses on time,” he said. “We’re close to that, but it’s not happening soon enough from a transit perspective.”
BELOW: Guelph Transit GM Mike Spicer speaks with CJOY News Reporter Matt Carty
One issue that will definitely take some more time to fix is that riders are still trying to figure out the new routes, Spicer said.
“Once people are starting to understand the system then it becomes a little bit easier for them,” he explained. “There are going to be days when people miss transfers, there are going to be days when you miss your bus, but we are tracking all of the data, we are tracking all of the concerns.”