Adopting new devices and device to help music ridership and agenda bus routes is a large priority for Fredericton’s new head of transit.So is the creation of Sunday carrier for Fredericton Transit buses, but that will still have to wait a few years, noted Charlene Sharpe, who gave her first presentation to city councillors for the first time Thursday on the grounds that taking up the activity three months ago. Sharpe is a former divisional manager with the Toronto Transit Commission.She laid out a timeline of objectives for Fredericton, with the implementation of new era to occur from now until early next year, followed via tweaks to the network and other changes such as Sunday carrier, which likely won’t happen till at least 2024.In her presentation, Sharpe said she reviewed Fredericton’s 2019 Transit Master Plan and discovered a desire for technology a average thread in many of the strategies.”We are now in 2022 and we need the technology in order to assist and attract new ridership and develop these new efficiencies to make our carrier effective and convenient for our customers,” she stated.Sharpe referred to enforcing new technology for Fredericton Transit operations is her first priority. (City of Fredericton)Sharpe mentioned some of that could come with initiatives the town has already embarked on, adding purchasing CCTV cameras for either of its buses to improve passenger and driver safety.On Monday, councillors voted to award a touch worth $260,077.02 to Dramis Communications Solutions for the installation of CCTV cameras on all of its 28 buses and four para-transit buses.Other generation Fredericton Transit still needs includes passenger counters on buses in order to gauge ridership and demand for real routes, she said.Others come with “dynamic scheduling instrument,” which would deliver workforce the flexibility and assist for timetable creation, planning, and creating operator work schedules.Implementing instrument that enables on-call for service for its para-transit buses is another priority, she stated.She spoke of team of workers will also be exploring electronic payment methods.”What era will supply us and adds us is vital records obligatory to make recommendations for effective provider advancement and adds a new point of protection and more advantageous communication equipment for both our team of workers and our customers,” she referred to.”Data from these technologies, along with census suggestions, incorporating plans for a whole lot of initiatives licensed for the town, as neatly as public comments will deliver the guidance required to make provider options to council.”Sharpe pointed out the goal is to have the new technology implemented by means of the first quarter of 2023.From there, documents will be collected and analyzed in order for staff to make adjustments to the design of the direction network in early 2024.”It’ll take into attention all the tips that we now have collected over the outdated year so that we can take into account cyclical adjustments, how we help purchaser travel.”It [will] also take into attention census data … town increase alerts and the new considerations thru municipal reform.”From there, any planned adjustments to the network and schedules will be brought forward to council and to the public for feedback and thoughts, she noted.We desire to make certain that whilst we do create Sunday service, it’s being done in a cost-effective, efficient demeanour that works well for everyone.- Charlene Sharpe, Fredericton’s manager of transit and parking services- Charlene Sharpe, Fredericton’s manager of transit and parking servicesSpeaking to CBC New after the meeting, Sharpe mentioned any competencies implementation of Sunday carrier may not happen till 2024, once all of the ones steps have been taken.”We admire that Sunday provider has been at the top of everyone’s want list,” Sharpe observed.
“We want to make certain that when we do create Sunday carrier or not it’s being done in a cost-effective, efficient manner that works smartly for everyone.”Fredericton Transit users have for years called on the city to introduce Sunday bus provider.The lack of Sunday provider has been criticized as far back as considering that 2013, whilst the town improved its allowed Sunday shopping hours even so didn’t strengthen its bus operations for the personnel who desire to paintings on that day.Coun. Bruce Grandy, the chair of the mobility committee, pointed out he was excited approximately Sharpe’s plan and her timeline for imposing it.”To have our strategic plan reviewed and a pathway and articulate plan going forward is so refreshing to see,” Grandy mentioned.”And so any one who asks a question — we now have timelines, we have a plan, however the maximum important part of this presentation that council needs to have in mind is the fact that you cannot make choices without proper files.”Coun. Bruce Grandy, chair of the mobility committee, spoke of he’s excited about Sharpe’s plan, adding that having files is essential for making large choices on transit. (Ed Hunter/CBC)Coun. Henri Maillet noted he also liked the timeline given through Sharpe, adding that it gives the town time to lobby the provincial and federal governments for more economic assistance to assist the provider.”Often we are going to get emails as council, saying that we are the best capital in the country that doesn’t have Sunday service.
Well, after a quick search, we’re one of the best capitals that does not get operational funding from from their province,” Maillet talked approximately.”So that could pass a long way, so I think that offers us a couple of years so we can maintain to recommend to get the correct investment so we can provide the suitable provider to our constituents.”
