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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works - 1996-05-13PWTC\1996-05-13 PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 13, 1996 CITY OF KITCHENER The Public Works and Transportation Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor John Smola, with all members present except Councillor B. Vrbanovic, who entered the meeting shortly after its commencement. Others Present: Ms. S. Roberts and Messrs. T. McKay, E. Kovacs, W. Beck, D. Snow, K. Bowman and L.W. Neil. This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee commenced at 8:40 a.m. 1 .DOPWR 96-22 -ON-STREET PARKING - NORTH DRIVE The Committee considered a report which recommends that parking be prohibited on the south side of North Drive from Spadina Road to Highland Road year-round. On motion by Councillor M. Wagner - it was resolved: "That parking be prohibited on the south side of North Drive from Spadina Road to Highland Road, and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly." 2.TRANSIT FARE STRATEGY HIGHLIGHTS (JANUARY-APRIL 1996) The Committee considered a report dated May 7, 1996, from Mr. W. Beck on Kitchener Transit's new fare strategy. The attachments to the report highlight year-to-date experience for the first 4 months of the year which illustrate positive results on both revenue and ridership. Mr. W. Beck advised the Committee that City staff recently gave a presentation to a conference held in Hamilton on the development of Kitchener's Transit Fare Strategy which was well received. He noted that the purpose of the report this date was to update the Committee on the effects that the new fare strategy has had on the transit system. Mr. Beck reviewed the revisions that have been made to the fare structure and the impacts and noted that, while the results have been favourable, staff were surprised by the increase in use of transit passes. Further, he noted that little resistance was encountered to the higher $2.00 cash fare. On the issue of transit use volume figures, Mr. Beck clarified the difference between revenue passengers and total boardings and stated that from these figures staff conclude that the 60 minute transfer policy has been well received. In addition, he noted that staff have received direct positive feedback from the public on the 60 minute transfer policy. He pointed out that revenue, to date, is up 5% over budget but that staff were planning for a 3% increase in revenue over budget for the entire year. In this regard, he commented that there was some difficulty in forecasting since the shift from cash to tickets could result in revenues being down slightly but also could increase overall ridership and, subsequently, revenues as well. Councillor B. Vrbanovic entered the meeting at this point. Mr. Beck advised that further to the new fare structures implemented, as part of a campaign to increase ridership on the system, new transit promotional initiatives were being undertaken. At this time, Ms. Sandy Roberts entered the meeting to introduce Kitchener Transit's promotional character (mascot) that was created as part of its overall campaign to increase ridership. Mr. Beck advised that staff were planning a "Name the Mascot" contest for children 10 and under and noted that the mascot will be attending as many promotional transit functions as possible. In response to Councillor K. Redman, Mr. Beck advised that staff hope to increase ticket use to approximately 40% of total ridership but, before this was possible, it is necessary to develop more ticket sales outlets. Mr. E. Kovacs referred to the reference made earlier to the presentation that was given at the Hamilton conference and advised that the fare strategy developed by Kitchener Transit has generated significant interest among other transit authorities. Councillor M. Wagner commented that, in the past, he had encouraged staff to develop more imaginative strategies to promote transit and it would appear that changes in this regard are working. In response to Mayor R. Christy, Mr. W. Beck advised that the total marketing budget for Kitchener Transit was PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 13, 1996 - 31 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2.TRANSIT FARE STRATEGY HIGHLIGHTS (JANUARY-APRIL 1996) (CONT'D) $100,000.00 for the year. Mayor Christy questioned if staff were targeting parts of the fare structure that staff think are growth areas. Mr. Beck advised that the ticketing policy benefits all users and that will be promoted. He also commented that tickets assist new immigrants who may have language difficulties and that staff are attempting to reach these communities to promote use of the system through the ticket fare. He also noted that staff were hoping to increase ticket sales outlets to 75 locations with the objective being that such locations have good residential coverage. No further questions were forthcoming on this information report which was prepared as an interim update respecting the new fare strategy. 3. POSTPONEMENT OF EVENING TRANSIT SERVICE CUTS The Committee was in receipt of a report dated May 1, 1996, from Mr. W. Beck recommending postponement of evening transit service cuts to Route Nos. 2, 3 and 4 that were approved in the 1996 Operating Budget. It was the view of staff that cuts to evening service were detrimental to the system as it would force people to use automobiles in place of the system. Accordingly, staff request indefinite postponement of the cuts both to prevent ridership loss by the system and to avoid the need for lay-offs. As well, he pointed out that such action would be a positive gesture in consideration of recent Union negotiations and was financially sound given the favourable surplus revenue achieved in 1996. The Committee then entered into a discussion of the process required in the consideration of future cuts and the method of liaison with the City of Waterloo. Mr. W. Beck advised that staff had already undertaken preliminary review of the 1997 Transit Budget and were working on options that would achieve cost reductions within the system. He noted that the Union will be kept informed on this matter. Committee members strongly supported staff keeping the City of Waterloo informed on current transit initiatives and requested that staff provide a similar presentation to the City of Waterloo on the new fare structure that was presented this date. Mr. Kovacs commented that the Waterloo Committee that deals with transit issues was a hybrid composed of staff and Councillors and that, in the past, it had not always worked well. On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That the evening transit service cuts to Route Nos. 2, 3 and 4, approved in the 1996 Operating Budget, be postponed given the favourable year-to-date passenger revenue generated by the new fare strategy, subject to consideration by the Public Works and Transportation Committee of quarterly updates from staff on results of the new fare strategy." On the matter of keeping the City of Waterloo fully informed on transit issues, Councillor J. Ziegler questioned why staff could not provide reports directly to Waterloo Councillors at the same time that such reports were being provided to the Public Works and Transportation Committee for consideration. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That the Transit Division be directed to forward staff reports on transit issues to City of Waterloo Councillors at the same time such reports were made available for consideration by the Public Works and Transportation Committee." 4. NATURAL GAS RATES The Committee was in receipt of a report dated May 8, 1996, from Mr. K. Bowman dealing with natural gas rates. Mr. Bowman summarized the content of the report. He pointed out that the practice has been to modify gas rates in concert with those implemented by Union Gas to its customers. As well, he commented on the disposition of a retroactive credit which had not been processed as the PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 13, 1996 - 32 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. NATURAL GAS RATES (CONT'D) result of staff being made aware of rate hearing proceedings by Union Gas. The rate hearing resulted in a Rate Order which provides for a one time retroactive charge to Kitchener Utilities' customers. Mr. Bowman noted that in consideration of the limits of the City's billing system and stability in the rates charged for natural gas, staff recommend applying the deferred credit against the retroactive charge. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That, effective June 1, 1996, natural gas rates shall be modified in accordance with schedules presented to the Public Works and Transportation Committee on May 13, 1996, and further, That an adjustment amount of $1,152,091.00 be charged against the reserve account presently holding a retroactive credit of $1,192,987.00." 5.INFORMATION ITEM - 1996 STREET LIGHTING CAPITAL PROJECTS Mr. E. Kovacs advised that an information report from Mr. D. Snow was attached to the agenda, along with a summary prepared by the Hydro Electric Commission of Kitchener-Wilmot, itemizing 1996 Street Lighting Capital Projects which represented detail that was not available at budget time. 6. FUTURE ITEMS · 1996 Street Resurfacing Program (next meeting) · Comprehensive Report on Street Resurfacing Practices (future meeting) · Heritage Drive Update · Winter Operations Update (next meeting) · Street Lighting/Safety Related Issues · Negotiations with City of Waterloo re Transit Agreement · Re-Lamping Program · Enforcement/Signage re Designated Taxi Cab Parking Spaces · Traffic Calming on Homewood Avenue (next meeting) 7.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 9:25 a.m. L.W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk