Committee Gets ‘Sneak Peek’ At Transit Audit

A high-level overview of the long-awaited Saint John Transit operational audit is hinting at changes to some routes.

But it could be a few more weeks before the public gets a chance to see the report by Stantec in its entirety.

Members of the city’s finance committee received what staff described as a “sneak peek” Wednesday of the 17 short- and long-term recommendations contained in the report.

Stephanie Rackley-Roach, the city’s acting director of corporate performance, said the goal of the audit was to reduce costs and ensure long-term service sustainability.

“Through analysis of the data provided on ridership, performance, desired travel recommendations and public engagement, Stantec proposed a network that includes areas for service enhancements, consolidation and rationalization for more direct routing, improved travel times and consistent,” Rackley-Roach told the committee.

The routing analysis focused on leveraging transit best practices to offer services to the greatest number of residents, particularly those who rely on the service, she said.

Rackley-Roach said one of the recommendations made by Stantec is to reduce the number of Comex routes to two.

“With respect to Comex, that will require discussions with the communities it serves with a view that Saint John is not subsidizing that service offering in any way,” she said.

Saint John Transit currently operates three Comex routes which carry passengers from Hampton and the Kennebecasis Valley to and from uptown Saint John.

Rackley-Roach said another one of Stantec’s proposals involves introducing an on-demand service to complement fixed-route service and boost ridership.

“In general terms, this alternative service delivery method provides service on request from home-to-stop or home-to-hub. From there, the rider can access fixed routes to travel to their intended destination,” she said.

“This service has been implemented in other municipalities to complement fixed-route service. Considerable planning is required by Saint John Transit to define where and when this service would be available and its feasibility.”

Other recommendations in the report call on Saint John Transit to:

• simplify the transit fare structure
• rebrand the Handi-Bus service
• expand charter and ferry tour businesses to increase revenue
• improve bus stop infrastructure and accessibility amenities
• invest in a fare collection system to reduce operational costs and improve customer service (an electronic system is recommended with options for those who do not have access to technology)
• undertake a thorough review of the transit fleet

The public will not get a full look at the report and the proposed changes until the transit commission finishes its review, said Kevin Fudge, the city’s finance commissioner.

Stantec estimates the changes will save the city $850,000 a year, but Rackley-Roach said that does not take into account the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the city’s latest budget documents, Saint John Transit is expected to receive a $5.04-million operating subsidy from the city in 2021, down from $5.89 million in 2020.

“Considerable review and due diligence of the Stantec report is required to develop an implementation plan that provides a transition from delivering service during a pandemic to longer-term service improvement and ensuring service sustainability,” she said.

Earlier this year, the transit commission projected a deficit for 2020 of up to $1.2 million due to fare suspensions and passenger restrictions causes by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The commission reduced service hours and laid off staff to help reduce the shortfall to about $500,000.