Niagara-on-the-Lake council is seeking answers regarding the Niagara Regional Transit Commission’s ongoing expansion, namely, how much of the regional transit service people in town will be able to access and the cost of the fare for NOTLers.
During Tuesday’s committee of the whole planning meeting, councillors discussed Niagara Transit’s annual report and commingled stats.
Coun. Wendy Cheropita noted that areas of expansion within Niagara Transit’s program do not include NOTL.
Cheropita emphasized the ongoing efforts of representatives to advocate for increased service, particularly to support the town’s tourism and business community.
“I just wondered if there was an update we could ask for down the road, that could provide us some answers,” she said.
Coun. Maria Mavridis is the council representative for Niagara Transit and mentioned there are four different options being presented at public engagements happening around the region.
“Option three includes expanding bus service to Niagara-on-the-Lake,” she said.
“I encourage option three.”
Cheropita also raised concerns about the apparent cost imbalance between Niagara-on-the-Lake and other municipalities.
The report notes the cost per ride as $5.22 for taxpayers.
“Last time I calculated it in Niagara-on-the-Lake — what we pay and the number of rides — it was $60 per ride,” she said.
Cheropita suggested that NOTL taxpayers may be heavily subsidizing regional transit use elsewhere.
“The fee that we pay is attached to impact home assessments,” Cheropita said in an interview.
“We have a higher rate of assessment so as a result we always pay more. It’s the same thing with police service.”
Mavridis said the average of $5.22 is the average over all of Niagara Transit.
“I have requested — and maybe we can request again — a breakdown of our services here in Niagara-on-the-Lake and the actual data and numbers,” she said.
Council agreed that staff should compile a response to the concerns raised, potentially without requiring a formal presentation from Niagara Transit.
“I would look for solutions, as opposed to just raising concerns,” Cheropita said.
Mavridis told The Lake Report that it is important for residents to speak up as Niagara Transit is seeking feedback — and some options do not include NOTL.
Only a few residents showed up at the public engagement forum, she said.
To explore the options and respond to the survey, visit nrtransit.ca/about-niagara-transit/roadmap/master-plan-project.
