The city’s transit department will see four new buses, a new fare box system, and the introduction of a microtransit pilot project this year.
Council approved the purchase of the new buses this week, with the purchase covered in part by the city’s Investing in Canadian Infrastructure Program funding. They will replace others at the end of their useful life under Transit’s asset management plan.
The same funding stream will also allow for the purchase of new fare boxes. The city says council’s approval of 25 fare boxes will not only improve transit’s data collection on routes and ridership but will give riders the option of modern electronic payment methods like paying with debit, credit, smartphones, or reloadable bus passes. Officials say the city’s portion of fare box replacement will be paid for with provincial gas tax funding meaning there will be no impact on taxpayers.
City officials say microtransit is an emerging public transportation system that connects people in low-density areas to existing transit and will begin testing the system for riders in Porcupine and South Porcupine in February. Through a new Timmins On-Demand app, currently in development, residents who live outside of main bus routes or at a distance from a fixed transit stop can request a ride.
Mayor Michelle Boileau says the city is actively working to improve Timmins Transit so that it’s reliable, convenient, and efficient for current and future riders. “Public transportation can connect our residents with community support, employment opportunities, education, and more. During our series of ward meetings, we heard from residents in Porcupine, South Porcupine, and Schumacher who wanted better access to public transportation.”