Staff eyeing transit overhaul, but interim contract extensions in meantime

Collingwood is getting ready for changes to its transit system, but not before a review of the current system.

In the meantime, however, town staff are recommending some contract extensions and an interim accessible taxi service to tide riders over until a new system is in place.

During a development and operations standing committee meeting last night (Nov. 9) the town’s operations and transit coordinator, Kris Wiszniak, explained the contract for maintenance and operation of the town’s conventional transit system with Landmark expires July 2021, the accessible taxi service once provided by Ace Cabs has ended, and the Red Cross accessible service contract ends on Dec. 31, 2020.

However, the town is also working on a service review and optimization study for its transit system, which will produce results in 2021.

“We're in a very advantageous position right now with a lot of our contracts coming to an end and having a transit study taking place right now,” said Wiszniak. “With our transit study, our hope is that we can get recommendations in place and develop a really good service delivery plan to make sure that when we put out for another seven-year contract, we have the time and resources to be able do it properly and know the service level that we want to get.”

Ultimately, he said the town would be looking for a single contract for maintenance and operation of the town’s conventional and accessible transit services.

In the meantime, however, staff are recommending interim negotiations and contract extensions to keep services running until the next contract can be secured.

For conventional services – the seven Colltrans buses and four routes – staff recommend extending the existing contract with Landmark for a year, bringing it to July 2022.

For Red Cross service, available by appointment, staff recommend a contract extension of three months.

Staff has also suggested approaching Ace Cabs to negotiate an interim continuation of the accessible, on-demand taxi service. Ace Cabs previously said it could not keep offering the service due to costs.

Wiszniak said the town is not required to offer the accessible taxi service under provincial accessibility legislation. Previously council did wonder about the town’s responsibility under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Collingwood’s CAO, Sona Skinner, said staff were looking into it because of the town’s current policy of issuing taxi licensing. Wiszniak clarified the taxi service is not mandated, but reiterated staff’s understanding that it is an important service and has been offered for Collingwood residents since 2007.

Lastly, during the Nov. 9 meeting, staff recommended the town use its procurement process to find an accessible transit service provider and offer them a contract in 2021.

The development and operations committee was in support of all the staff recommendations, which will now go to council for approval.