Transit fare strategy approved with lower fare caps

Okay? Good evening, everyone. I'm going to call the meeting to order. . First I would ask if there's any disclosure, pecuniary interest or the general nature thereof. . Seeing none. Um, And the first thing we're going to is motion, we need to go into closed under section 239 to be of the municipal act related to personal matters about an identifiable individual and including municipal or local board employees. And we're doing this to for appointments to advisory committees, local boards and agencies, commissions and associations. Uh and we will come out and report on that at a in the open. . Meeting. So could I have a motion? Moved by councilor Art seconded by Oh, Councilor Gibson. Ah, is there anyone opposed? Thank you. Okay, well, we'll go into clothes and we shall return shortly. .

I hope

Okay. I'd like to call the meeting back to order for the open session. . We will have a closed meeting. Summary, um in as on the our agenda is items number seven, So we will get to the the motions that were moved in camera at that point, so if we could rise if able to do, R O Canada

Square. Because it is not Come on. Sure. Okay? Yeah. Oh, really? Yeah. Oh, I don't know. But you could see Okay?

Well done. Thank you. Um, we're going to take him. Ah, moment for silent infection. . Okay, I'm gonna do the statement of acknowledgment. As we gather, we are reminded that golf is situated on treaty land that is steeped in rich indigenous history. . And home to many First nations, Inuit and Metis people today. . As a city. We have a responsibility for the stewardship of the land on which we live and work. Today We acknowledge the Mississauga as of the first of the credit first nation of the initiative, Beck Peoples on whose traditional territory we are meeting Is there any disclosure of pecuniary interest? Before we get started seeing none. Thank you. Can we have confirmation of the open minutes because I have a motion for confirmation of the Open minutes.

Counselor Ault seconded by Councilor Klassen. . Any questions discussion? Thank you. I'll call the vote. Is there anyone opposed? ? Thank you. Number six. Is the committee of the whole consent report. Would anyone like anyone of these matters? Um, hold. So there's the delegation of authority bylaw, the water and wastewater servicing Master plan, which there was correspondence from Ian Pennebaker, the stormwater management Master plan. . And the 2022 water services and annual report and a summary report. . Is there anyone who would like anyone of those hold Moved by councilor crime seconded by, UM councillor work. . Are those Okay. Ah, and he is there. Anyone opposed? ? Okay. Thank you. That's moved. Moving right along here. Um So now we're looking at the council consent agenda.

Number seven so I would ask councillor to bring that forward. . Thank you very much. Your donor. If we could please have the motion on the screen coming from the closed session. The appointment, two advisory committees, , local boards, , agencies, , commissions and associates. . Associations. Ah, moved by me seconded by Councilor Clawson that the names of the individuals that appear in the motion on the screen be appointed to the various committees to which they had applied. . Is there a second order councillor Clawson Council, Carson. . Discussion questions. Is there anyone opposed? That passes. Thank you. So we're have some items for discussion. I wish we missed to say earlier on that Sorry. Apologies chair down. There is one other item on that open item. The 7.1, which is recruitment activities were conducting an advisory committee of Council Governance Framework Review, which counsel is well aware of, so you'll see on the agenda under 7.1. There is one additional motion related to that. Sorry I missed that. So would somebody be willing to councilor buildings seconded by councilor class and

Are there any any discussion on that? Okay. Is there anyone opposed? Thank you that's passed. I was missing, mentioning earlier on that the only regrets we had was from mere Guthrie. Which is why I'm sitting here chairing the meeting tonight. Okay, so the items for discussion the transit fare strategy, which we had that the committee of the whole earlier and we have four delegations. . And for that item, and so We will go to that and just reminder to all delegations that you have. . Five minutes and all of the delegates start in person as well. . So if I could call on Nelson, check, Wilma. . Forward. Thank you. Evening, councillor. We were from Conestoga students income. We actually reached out to Guthrie earlier delegate together for five minutes. Just want to confirm that that's still okay. .

I just checked with the clerk. Is that Yeah. The total is five minutes, but just go ahead. Thank you. Thank you so much. And just What is the name of the second delegation is meat Is that meat would pageant okay? Okay, , so they're good bye. . Thank you. . Through the chair. Hello members of council. My name is Nelson Trachoma and I am the current vice president and incoming president of Conestoga. Students Incorporated, or CSC for short. . Yes, it is the official Students Association of Conestoga College and represents over 24,000 students, including approximately 1500 at our growth campus. . Our advocacy efforts are guided by the pillars of accountability. . Affordability, equity and sustainability, which has brought me here today alongside our wealth. Student Transportation Advisory Committee representative meets Voice both praise and concern for the glove transit first strategy. . First we would like to thank me or Guthrie for the relationship he has fostered would ask Students Association to keep us informed of municipal decisions such as the new growths, transit for strategy and demonstrating his commitment to

involving all stakeholders. Now, while we learned about this strategy after consultations had accord in 2022 We are really pleased to have the opportunity to share our perspective this evening and hope will be included in consultations for future transit related discussions as Conestoga College continues to grow in growth upon reviewing the proposed fair strategy, CSC overall is supportive of the new strategy but has some concerns and I would like to invite me to speak about this further. . Thank you, Nelson. Good evening. Cancel. My name is middle today and I am a current student of Constable golf campus and frequent rider of Gulf Transit. . I rely on a golf transit as my main matter of transportation in the area, and M pleased to say in my experience and those of my peers, that driver are extremely friendly. Go out of that to help us to get we need to go, especially with on demand service, which run on holy holidays. . Overall, we agree that the new first strategy being proposed is more active, accessible and affordable for many

and first learning about the strategy. We were very about the loss of Mr Transit Pass option. But once we learned about the purpose for ups, and we truly saw the value could be provided Titus, while 12% fire increase is a significant amount during the time of implicit In difficult for many. We also appreciate the fact hell not increase since 2016 that they cannot remain free of Rosen forever Other source for revenue Service adjustment. . We would help appreciate if the fare increase could help being free history or three or more year. But we are also pleased to see that this increase will for find both capital and service implement for coming here and that will improve the writer. Extra experience of angled transit. . With the new proposed fire gapping approach to the students will not need to pay as much for their transit advanced by allowing as they right If the students does not Right more than 34 times per month. They may actually see it saving compared to purchase a monthly or

so Mr Pass. This could provide students significant saving during the month and extent, study breaks well where they live in India. . Uh, this would allow them to direct their financial resources to where they needed most while allowing also ensuring that They will help predictor maximum or transit costs. It's month if they write more than 34 times. . From current usage brand or students Senator past We believe that this change will have approximately 30% of our students our money each month, although other students will not saving as they frequent users of services, and we pleased to know that students who does not benefit from the financial saving will benefit from the improvement to the system. . We also pleased to see that fire increase in future are only extended to increase by approximately 2% per year, studying in 2025 that students will always receive 20% of discount compared that adult single single rights ensuring some

from or off additional long term affordability for students. . The purpose strategy overall is a positive and we look forward to seeing how it will support for further improvement that we are also golf transit, more accessible and such on demand service, which is helpful who needed transportation to access in the morning or union, such as student who works in a or the hospitality industry. . Sift started between Fire AM seven AM or finish between 8 to 11 PM when service is minimal and available. . Thank you so much. Thank you. For your time Counsel. . I will pass back to Nelson. . The five minutes is is, um complete. Just check with the clerk so because we had you as two separate, , should we Sugar? Yeah, I think we're discretion. I think. Well, I will. Thank you. Please do to complete were allowed to complete. Yes, Thank you. Council. We appreciate it. Thank you meet for sharing more about CSS support for the new growths transit fare strategy, including fair capping to help me glove transit more accessible, flexible and affordable for riders. . If this strategy is approved, it is vital that

strong communications and outreach campaign be implemented to explain a new fair model. Um the new fair model and ensure students and other riders maintain a positive relationship will grow of transit. . This one short and more seamless transition process, encourage long term writer loyalty and ensure that all users are able to make informed travel decisions on behalf of sex. I we thank you so much for allowing us the opportunity to delegate this evening and continue to work with US and Conestoga College to ensure students have safe, affordable and equitable transit options available in the city of growth. . If there any opportunities for us to work together in the future to improve transit services for students and the broader community, Please do not have states of contact us. We're always willing to come talk to our city. Um, representatives, and if there are any questions will be happy to answer them now. Thank you so much. Thank you for delegating. Uh, , are there any questions of the delegates? ? Councilor classing and then once the glower Through you. Chair Downer to the delegates. Thank you for your delegation. I did have a question You mentioned outreach campaign about fair capping. Um, could you maybe just speak to what you think that

might look like and you know, from your perspective at CSC, what would be the methods that would be most effective? ? I honestly would would leave it to our amazing advocacy staff and our marketing team. But typically we do have methods for reaching our students, whether it be social media, whether it's instagram, we have, um, email campaigns that we can reach out to talk to students about and also our student advisory committees or probably be very well informed about the new growth, fair copy of strategy and can talk to students on their campuses as well. So there are many avenues that we could explore. But I don't want to say anything. . Don't quote me on anything. . For sure, because we had to obviously consult with the team. . No, thank you. And thank you for your openness and and and desire to be, um, collaborative with the city as well. . Thank you. . Thank you. Councilor. Dollar I thank you for your chart Downer. Thank you for for the presentation. I just wanted to to to follow up and say, Have you been in touch with both transit staff and and talk to them about your issues? Yeah. We have our advocacy manager. He's on the money with this. Perfect and slow. Appreciate it. Thank you so much great to have you. .

Hey, Thank you. Thank you. Oh, sorry, , councillor or work. . Three chair down or to our delegates. Thanks so much for being here. Thanks for taking transit. Thanks for saying our drivers are nice. Appreciate that Complements are good. Right? Um, I'm just curious. What kind of data you have, Um or your advocacy people have that could be helpful for us in the future. So what percentage of the students are here and wealth? ? And I'm especially interested in how many would work early morning shifts early into the evening in the summer. I hear from business owners about People can't get back from their job that ends late in the night. Because the Sunday bus service has been suspended that kind of thing. So what kind of data do you have? That could help us to make some Informed decisions or in the next iteration of the transit plan. . I don't have that specific and of data on hand, But I'm happy to follow up with you through email with advocacy manager and we can send that data for you. What I will say is at the Gulf campus. We have 1500 students of that amount, 61% of them stated. Our public transport is the most used method of transportation. 70% stated that did not they do not own or have access to a personal vehicle. . Um And so with this with this amount of data,

we know that that the wealth transit is very important for us students, however, in regards to the early mornings late nights, we'd have to get back to you on that, If that's okay, there's no rush on that, but I think it's it's important Data point. So thank you very much. That's excellent data. . Thank you. Are there any other questions? Councilor Keeton Thank you through you to, um, C s I I'm just wondering, Do you have a similar bus program that to 12 University? ? In that you help subsidies, the bus passes for the students or Do they just buy them on their own? Um Well, we haven't really considered that you pass yet because We're supportive of it. And with the recent confirmation of the colleges, growth lands in golf will be a good time to start those conversations. We do currently meet with golf transit and will likely begin to discuss those conversations over the next few months. But once we were waiting for the new announcement of the new campus, so now that's been announced where we're working on it. .

Thank you. My pleasure. Are there any other questions? Okay, saying that. Thank you for your delegation. . Thank you for your time. . Okay. Next up. We have Adam Donaldson. I just want to start by saying Ditto to the sexy fellas, but I worked really hard on my speech, , so I'm still going to read it. . So good evening. I just want to preface this by saying I'm not against 95% of the plant. . I am, however, against two things in the plan. . Um they may be obvious. . Versus the 8.3% increase in cash fares, and the second is the 19% increase in the monthly past, plus the change to the Oh loyalty program. Craze. These fears within an 8.3 to 19% increase in services 10 amount to a service cut, and I think we all understand the economics of that now. . I'm not a profit, but I'm here to tell you the future for you guys in August late August early September, , you were going to be inundated. . Inundated with phone calls EMAILS DEMS from a bunch of

honked off golf transit users whose bus pass costs $80.01 month and costing $95 the next. Now, no matter how good the comms strategy staff has, I'm sure they have a good one. . It's not gonna work. It never works. When it comes to these messages. . It never works. . You're going to be inundated. And I hope at least staff gives you like the 32nd elevator pitch for fair capping because I got to tell you I've read council reports every week, pretty much the last decade. . I had to read this five times and call a friend to understand the gist. . And then I went to committee of the whole. I went to the attack committee meeting a couple of weeks ago last week. I guess I still don't think I can speak to any authority or confidence about what that means. . So Alright. I'm not without the ability to compromise. I'm going to get to my compromise. . My first option is leave it alone. $3 cash fare $80 monthly past leave the monthly pass alone. . Simplicity is good. . At least until we can prove that service has increased a 0.3 or 19%. . I think that's fair. My second option is passed the fair capping strategy. .

But I want a commitment tonight from seven people around this table that when it starts in September You're going to get it and you're gonna take half your trips every month on transit and I want it documented posted to the Graham tweeted news lettered. . Snap, chatted whatever you want to use. I want to see city councilors on transit, half of them. . After time. I'd like to, uh I say it's time to lead by example, if this is the silver bullet, If this is the Rosetta Stone, the Holy Grail, whatever you want to call it if this is the key to getting more people to use wealth, transit, and it's incumbent on council to lead by example. . Right, so the occasion I don't think that's gonna happen, though. I don't mean to besmirch anyone, but I don't. I really don't think that's going to happen. . We all know what the fundamental problem is. It's not how you pay for Guelph Transit. It's not what you pay for golf Transit. . It's the systemic nature of the service. The roots aren't direct enough. Every trip takes you through downtown. The frequency isn't good enough. And crosstown trips can take you 45 50 60 70

80 minutes. . Nobody's going to get on golf transit when they can take the same trip in their car. 10 to 15 minutes That's what's the fact So what This does is hurt The people who are already on wealth transit. . Abusers and the vain hope that calling it a loyalty card or a fair capping or Get money back. That's going to get more people on the bus. . Now, if that sounds all wrong. I'd like to present this. Cooperators down the street presently have a corporate bus pass. . Their main building is right across the street from Gulf Central Station. . What was the primary factors of them moving out of downtown? ? They don't have enough parking. . There are across the street from the bus station. They have a subsidized tasks. . They don't have enough parking. Do you think it's because of the availability of golf transit passes? Or do you think it's because nobody there wants to use the service? ? I don't know. That might be rhetorical. So let's invest in Guelph Transit. Um, let's support the people who want to use it. . And until then, let's leave the fares alone. That's my speech. .

Thank you. Thank you. Are there any questions so, , Donaldson? ? Well, you ruined an opportunity to ask me questions so Thank you. Um okay. The next up is Steven Patrick. Good evening, members of council. My name is Steven Patrick. I'm a chair of the transaction Alliance of Wealth. . I want to say. Ditto to some of the previous comments, um for tag. We applaud staff's efforts to ensure that they first strategy satisfies customers' needs now and in the future by developing a reasonable, appealing and easily accessible, , fair system. . We are in support of fair capping this simple concept in public transit fare payments eliminates the introvert social inequity caused by having writer's pay upfront for unlimited monthly rides. . For capping means that all passengers, including those who prefer to pay as they go get access to the best fares based on their public of their usage. . Also allows writers the flexibility to carry over unused rides.

They did not use the previous month. However, , we have some concerns fair concerns. . About some of these changes. The days of a transit passenger making a continuous trip from point A to B are changing rapidly. . Uh, to encourage more people to utilize transit transfer times are being modified to benefit the local economy, encourage more off peak travel and promote shoulder shorter journeys to meet climate goals. . Currently monthly pass holders have unlimited transfer times under fair captaining they will now be subjected to the 60 minute transfer time limit. . This means right about the pay twice to re enter the system. After a brief stopover. This could cause a rise in complaints where there are none. None now. . Moving to a two hour transfer has numerous benefits, including economic, environmental and equity related gains. This investment will assist low income riders for whom multiple short trips by transacting quite expensive and local businesses who would benefit from hop off. Hop on behavior. Something mentioned in your your own transportation Master plan. . It will help you alleviate potential barriers for people who need more time to travel arrest between transfer points, improve flexibility and access for customers to enter and exit

the system and complete their journey on one fair. . Having a tour transfer policy combats very varity of issues that relate to golf transits, diverse customers, affordability, , accessibility, , accommodation in the social equity. . Uh, transit investment is fundamental to growth. Expanding economy, attainment of climate objectives and modal shift to our transfer period is a great strategy to help increase ridership and what can be an integral component that will enable growth transit to provide a high quality, flexible public transit service to customers in an increasingly be Competitive environment with multiple travel travel alternatives. As mentioned in the chambers letter. Every dollar invested in transit has an economic spinoff of up to $5. . According to our friends at the Guelph Wellington Poverty Task Force. Many transit riders earn less than the living wage of 1995 and are struggling to maintain make ends meet sliding scale bus pass and other initiatives are not available to everyone. . It's worrying to subject them to an above inflation rise at a time when they are struggling to afford food, clothing, housing and other bills. Many of these writers are members of the Bible community, many of whom were essential workers throughout the pandemic and kept our local economy and services going. Is this how

we're going to reward them? ? Yes, Fares have been frozen for since 2016. But this 19% fare increase for adult users. There's too much for transit passengers to bear in one year preferable option would be to spread this increase over two or three years. Many transit customers are already suffering from affordable ability, challenges and 19% rise will compound this issue and will most certainly Not entice other community members to choose transit as a transportation option. . Every increase in transfers always sees a decrease in transit ridership. Even with some increase in services, it could take 1 to 3 years to recover any brighter ship losses. . Councilor Ketones Motion tonight is a reasonable compromise. Well, what will be on the lower end of the number of Capt. Wright's compared to others in matches the Valley of Service being provided today. . Modest increases to match the growth of the system should always come back to council and the public for, uh, scrutiny. We also want to remind councillors of their answers during the election on our tag survey. . Many of you supported a two hour transfer. Many of you supported fair capping and some of you supported lowering fares. . Well. Some customers agree that gold transit has been

making visible improvements in some areas of service. The key to increasing public transit ridership lies in getting the basics right and keeping fares affordable. . In an effort to increase ridership and encourage people to choose 12 as a place to work, live and play. We hope you will take our considerations into serious consideration when making your decision tonight. Thank you. . Thank you. Are there any questions of the delegates addiction? ? Okay? Thank you. Thank you. Hey, So I'm going to ask for the motion in the agenda, but he put on the floor. . Uh, to start off with any questions of stuff. Anybody prepared to put them in motion on the floor? ? It comes for work seconded by Councilor Ault Okay, So are there any questions of staff for this? ? Okay, councillor. Billings. Through you, Madam Chair. I just wanted to ask staff. . There was mention that

The Transit Advisory Committee met lately and I was just wondering what were their concerns and specifically did. They have concerns with the 60 minute transfer time and also the fare increases. . Through the chair to counsel Billings, the trans advisory committee, um, as I think was mentioned, Transit staff met with him last week, and they had some questions about the transfer times as well as just the fair strategy in general. But transit staff provided them answers and responses to all of that very similar to the responses that we've been providing. Two members of Council and Transit Advisory Committee did not express any concerns that they wished to have brought forward to council this evening. . Okay. Thank you. Are there any other questions? Because we have, um Councilor Cayton has Sent us, Um Other motions, but they wouldn't be amendments. So my understanding I just want to check with the Corp So if this motion if the motions before us fail, , and I can separate them out Then we would go to councilor Kittens motions right? Because they're not amendments. They're actually contrary to the

main motion councilor work. . I think it's your down and I was just looking at claws three and wondering. . Wondering if Counselor kittens amendments have to be Debated and voted on. And then number three becomes an as amended. As otherwise we're seeing. Proceed with the transit fare strategy. . We received a community hole. . But what councillor Cayton is proposing is an amendment to that fear strategy, right? It's contrary to this to the three motions that we have before us her emotions. . So my understanding is that we would have to in order for her to get on the floor. Say these two, , these, , uh These would have to fail. Probably 12 and three And then we could Um, entertain councillor occasions motions. So, um Through you Tear downer. Number one is the kids ride free program, so I would like not want to see that feel So I think that one's clean, I would take the clerk's advice. . Um

And then I'm just concerned. Maybe we need to hear from staff. The fair capping loyalty program itself as outlined is valid, and I think there's support for that. . The question is going to be around facing in the costs, , right? ? So I don't want to to fail either because we want the opportunity to be able to implement the strategy but over a longer period of time, so I don't know what the right way to proceed is Um Just a point of order. Could we please have 12 and three separated? So I do believe that that councillor is correct. It was my intent to separate them. But I would ask of singers councillor keeping had direct had Staff on the motions. How did you envision these? Were they to replace any of the ones before? So we're the in addition or like, How did you envision these? If these were if this failed in those came Um, so to the chair and the council and also look to Mr O'Brien in case he Thinks that I'm answering correctly here certainly agree with councilor work that number one stands on its own. Number

two Does state that the fair capping loyalty program outlined in attachment one be approved? And so I think for councillor kittens motion to be considered, you would need to vote down number two because it no longer is valid because you're not approving it as it's outlined in Attachment one. You're approving a revision to it as per councillor, , cadence motion. . So I would think that you would need to vote specific to the fair Capping. You would need to vote down recommendation number two and instead consider councillor Caitlin's motion as an amendment to the fair, capping loyalty program. . Um And then That the transfer time really falls within recommendation Number three. So I think that's the challenge because if I'm understanding councillor, Cadence, intention and and I don't want to speak for her, I believe the only remaining initiative that she's looking to amend is the transfer time. So I would hate to see you vote down all of number three because then you lose everything else. So I almost think that councillor Keaton's motion related to the transfer time is an amendment to number three that, in essence again, not putting words in your There. Mouths that staff be delegated the authority to proceed with the remaining initiatives. .

Except for the transfer time because councillor kittens motion would change the way the initiatives so I'm not sure that I've helped I look to Mr O'Brien to see if he wants to comment further. . Through you or to Madam chair. The Councilor Keeton Second Motion on transfer times is likely. And I again I with complete respect to Councilor Keeton album, you know, let them respond as they see fit. But, um, the fair transfer time is there's just a little bit of a nuance there because of number three as D. C o clock. Bush Outline your Approving, um in whole, effectively the remaining recommendations in the Attachment one to the transit fare strategy report. . Save and except for that one nuanced piece around transfer time. So I think what the C o clock Bush articulated for Clause two is accurate, and I think for cause three of the existing staff recommendation, it may be beneficial if council so so wishes to adopt, um, number three so that the totality of the transit fare strategy as it's allowed outlined in attachment, One is approved and adopted if that's councils wish again. .

Um, but that then Councilor kittens. Second motion could be tabled so that there's a degree of specificity around the transfer time component of that. . But I believe I think that's that's addressing what councillor kittens approach was, but again, I'll defer to her and we're happy to continue to work council through this if if that's a benefit, But I agree except number two is changed in her first motion that she was going to bring forward. . So let's just go through this. I think Let's go through number one. . As we've said, and then we'll get to number two. Yes, Sorry if I made sure down or were if I may Dan sorry I was canceled. Sorry, I only because I've been down this road before. I would really like to just, um, try to address councillor Cadence motions through amendments simply because if we if we vote against these recommendations in order to hear councillor canes, , motions Councilor Keaton's motions don't pass We then no longer we don't have anything to vote on because we voted on that role. So I would really encourage the chair to work with clerks to try and treat this as

amendments so that we do pass something tonight. Just in the event. . Neither pass correct. . Yes, that That's a possibility. My concern is with the way the motions were presented to us from Councilor Keeton, , They're not really amendments. . But the first the second one, you could added honors and mend them with the exception of, but the first motion around the phasing, and, um, monthly cap isn't that's my understanding? It's contrary to councillor all just a point of order. When I'm reading that motion number two. I believe that councillor Kate and can easily amend that motion. And then it becomes the recommendation as amended, so I can't so consequently, , we can Deal with it. My colleague here is ducks on his desk. Um and I think it would be quite appropriate it will either succeed or fail based on its merit. . Councilor Kate Thank you, Um, through you, too, Um, Clark staff and whomever this applies to you. . Um, , I had intended them as amendments. .

Because I feel that both of them are Kind of in line but minor modifications of the overall plan. . So, um, if they need to be rewarded by someone in order to make them amendments, then I'm happy to read whatever that wording is, but that's how I intended them. . Councilor caller, um through your chair Downer once again when I read this, I when, when you speak about them being contrary, I think it would be contrary. If we were to move away from the loyalty program. As I see it. It's a minor judgment. So you think it's just been unfair? ? Okay, so I don't know if the wording we have is correct. . Mr Bryan through your chair to chair downer. My suggestion is again. I'm sensing just from based on some comments that were stated that that clause one of the staff recommendations can be moved and addressed. Council also rightly so, asked for that to be separated that can easily be done number two to satisfy a councillor. Kittens intent can be moved. And then that is of the staff recommendations and then councilor Kittens first. .

Proposed amendment could be moved as an amendment. I will simply just defer to D. C o clock. Bush on that to make sure that the wording we've got from councilor Caitlin's motion doesn't contradict or remove any clauses that might be outlined outlined in the in the Attachment one of the fair, capping loyalty program reports. . So that's I essentially what I wanna do chair downers ensure that That first motion is moved the staff recommendation. It can be amended to counsel Gibson's point, but that we're capturing all of councillor kittens intent in the amendment without disposing of any other aspects that staff are requiring through the adoption of that staff recommendations concern, so I'm just taking a moment to reread them Both. I believe for clause number two that that is correct that councillor Caitlin's wording wouldn't instead capture everything that we need for Clause Number two. . The same is not true for Clause Number three. But for clause number two related to the fair, capping loyalty program. I believe that it does capture everything. It changes how it's been approved. What the pace is. It's directing how to now a manage that financial impact in 2023 because it's a mid year budget. .

Change and then it's still refers the balance of the costs for 2024 to 2027 to the upcoming multiyear budget process, so I believe that we are find that number two could be wholly replaced by Councilor Caitlin's motion. . Then for Number three. That was the one that would actually need to be done as a amendment to a portion of number three. . So just to be cleared, and so we're good with number one number two. . It would have to be replaced. So I'm I'm just how do you so Ah to future Down, writes It's simply just moving that the existing staff recommendation and then the amendment is that that recommendation be replaced with with the motion from Councilor Cayton is basically a complete and whole amendment to that Clause two in the staff recommendation. Let's get through those two and then we'll deal with number three. . Is that a Is that okay with everybody? Okay. So on the number one Separated out that the kids around the kids ride free program is there Anyone opposed or first? Are there any questions on

this? ? Any discussion. Is anyone opposed to number one? Okay? That passes. Number two. Oh, councillor, Gibson. Are you talking about? Number two like you. You mentioned the last one that we could ask questions of staff. I just wanted to give static stuff for a chance to respond through you. Chair are down or to staff. I heard in the delegations a lot about you know, this was helping with affordability. The fair capping loyalty program up to a point. . But then I also heard that it was creating barriers with some of the increases in the fares. Can I just ask staff to help if they wanted to provide a response to some of the things we heard, I understood that the fair capping would get people to that monthly past level quicker. . And that would allow them to have unlimited rides up to a point earlier, But I wanted to give staff an opportunity respond to some of the things we heard. . Through chair Downer to counsel Gibson. Thank you for the opportunity. I mean, I think there are always going to be challenges. Anytime we're talking about fares related to affordability for individuals and transit. We do pass costs the long to the riders. It is a subsidized service because it is in the greater

interest of the community obviously have transit system. But there is there is a there is a difficult point at which we're threading, setting the threshold for how much we're willing to pass along to riders. . The recommendation before you that transit staff have brought forward. I think we stand by and support that we were trying to find that balance. We have not had a fare increase in many years. And so part of this is playing catch up a little bit. So recognizing that is a big jump for some writers, but it's not a big jump for the majority of our writers. Um, but I don't I don't want to sound like I'm being dismissive of the fact that it is a jump for some of our writers. But I do think also just talking about that accessibility piece. . Some of the benefits of fair capping is exactly that you no longer have to buy your pass at the beginning of the month and no if you're going to need 16 rides or 34 rides or 44 rides. You're not having to take that financial risk at the beginning of the month. And so while there is a financial impact for some of our riders for sure, I think we were also trying to balance that really important affordability questions so that individuals can they don't have to decide on the first of the month what their transit needs are going to be for the month. But then, in the flip side, they're not

penalized if they don't have the financial resources available to purchase a full monthly pass at the start of the month. . They can ride until they reach that capping point And then then they're they're done for the month. So ultimately, obviously we look to counsel for the direction on this, but we stand by the staff recommendation because we felt that it was the right balance. . Thank you. Are there any other questions on number two councilor Dollar and through your chair Downer to stop Just on the point of what proportion of writers, um, do use Um, the full pass so based on our data, how many people are currently using that would be looking at pain the 95 20, as opposed to a lower amount. . So through chair down or I'm just going to pause for a moment and let transit staff help me with this one. . Yeah. Just grabbing that data for you.

Mhm.

Thanks for your patience. Um, I think Courtney Courtney McDonald's coming down to help answer that question. . Kourtney. If you don't remember her from the presentation is our manager, business services and and also usual is here. . Wonderful. . Thank you. Yeah. So, um, just to make sure we've heard the question correctly. So you're looking for the number of our existing monthly pass holders who would be impacted by the jump up to the 90 95 20 years, , please. . For you chair down into councillors. 18% of our customers would be impacted. Okay, okay, that that that is helpful. Um, thank you. And just just so that I confirm with if my math is correct at the, um, the proposed fare of $2.80 per ride it would be looking at The current fair would be, um the current cost of the past. It would be about 28 rides. . So 20th rides there would be no increase, right? ?

In cost. Hmm. Do you councillor to councillor the current cap would be in the proposal will be 34 rides currently at $80. It's 28 29 Ride's Okay. Okay, , That's that. . Okay. Perfect. Thank you very much for the clarification. . I appreciate it. . Are there any more comments or questions or comments? Okay, so on, so I just want to be clear What? We're voting on now. So that did you do you? Do you do it? ? No, it's not. We're not. It's it's and we do it after we're gonna Sleep so that this number two is is about the fair, capping loyalty program as outlined, then we will put on my understanding is councillor Keaton's motion change schedule, but within a change attachment one currently on the floor. All three motions have been moved and seconded. They've been asked to be separated, so councils now dealing with the second clause. . If council wishes to amend this per councillor Kittens motion, it would be incumbent on councillor catered to move

that amendment and have it be duly seconded. And then that would we would capture that accurately in the minutes for D. C o clock. Bush's comments as effectively a wholesale replacement of the existing motion on the floor number two from staff recommendations, so we would replace that and we can put that on the screen. If you'd like chair Downer for council to be able to see councillor the It's appropriate for the amendment to come right. . It now, then, that's correct. Council, Kate and Do you want to do that? ? Yes, please. Sir. Uh, do you want to speak to this motion before we go to questions? ? Yes, please. Through you. I know that affordability equity and accessibility or a part of our strategic plan. I know staff are very committed to delivering on all of those values. And I think they did a great job. But the transit fare review The cost they proposed brings us in line with neighboring municipalities. And the fair capping program they've created will make transit much cheaper for many riders, , and I love that. . Um, So when I'm talking about the fair fairs, I'm not referring to the cost per rides or

any of the age Silence. I'm talking about the jump in cost for bus passes and how that's going to affect the 18% of writers who had impacts. . We're in the midst of food rent mortgage inflation are property taxes have gone up. I just want to make that cumulative jump incremental over three years via the fair capping system, so it's more manageable for people to budget. . So all of the bus passes our captain to less rides the first year, one last ride the second year and then back up to the 34 rides a year, the staff of her commended on the third year. . So if we're interested in keeping driveways small, adding more housing and smaller spaces, reducing the amount of parking we need throughout the city to help with rainwater capture and reduced emissions. We should be deepening investing and making transit, affordable and efficient and transit adoption is a key part of our race to zero and our affordability increases adoption. It also helps with road safety, keeping people who are drinking off the road. . Investments in transit should be considered a part of our vision zero That $19,900 estimated impact into that in 2023, which should be less with every incrementally increase is a small price tag for the investment in equity affordability, reduction

in emissions and investment in local business. Keeping these in Christmas increases manageable helps people get to and from work. . It helps the economy by giving people more to spend outside of the necessities. . And these this this disproportionately impacts a small businesses, especially in our downtown transit hub. . I also talked to Mike Shriners team about provincial grants for transit. The dedicated public transit fund, funded through our gas tax revenue gives grants to communities who have public transit systems, and this is based 70% on ridership and 30% on population numbers, So the best way to get provincial funding is to invest in ridership and having a budget friendly increase is a cost effective method to reach that goal. . So I really think that this is a small price tag for an extra two rides a month for one year and extra one ride next year, And I think it will make a big difference for the 18% of people who are living paycheck to paycheck, and I hope you'll support my motion to thank a monthly bear capping system a little bit more manageable for riders. . Thank you. Are there any questions, councillor All didn't just comments on on the motion. May I? Or maybe we should go to questions first. We could just to keep that in order for the

questions of staff or the or the mover for work or councillor. Dollar, did you? Is that what you had your hand up for me? Actually, I have an amendment to the amendment. I just sent to the clerks. . Um And maybe if you want to have the questions first, But my my amendment is to actually my mom reduce the price increase this year and Extend the motion as presented by councilor catering by one more year, so it takes us one year longer to get up to 34 rights. . Yeah. So that there would be, um Or nearly no impact to the writers in September. So I'll see if I have a second there. Um And I am asking in my amendment to the motion. . That the fair capping loyalty program the approved with a monthly cap of When he rides this year, then we go to 30. . Next year. 32 then 34. So it just gives us one more step down so that it's ah, the impact will residents has spread out a little bit longer. . And knowing that

It will only significantly impact 19% of writers. I think that the the benefits outweigh the the cost. . Okay. Just do we have a secondary then I'm going to go to Colleen to D. C O packed. We have a secondary for that. . That's located. Seconds that, um okay. Sorry. I wasn't seconding it. I had a question. . Is there a second er Right, councillor Bruce until seconds it I just Do you see o clock could put up her hand. And so I'd like to crack bushes put up her head, and I would like to give it the floor opportunity. Thank you. Chair, Janet. I just wanted to mention that That is not something that staff have costed. And so we wouldn't be able to tell you in this moment what the estimated financial impact is in 2023, so there would be an estimated financial impact and we would have to work with finances and, , um I would think you might need to change the wording to simply say to manage the estimated financial impact and take out the of the amount because we haven't done the costing on that. . Are there any other questions of stuff? Comments. Councilor Kaden.

Comment on this Ah, yes, Through you. Um, I think that we do need a gradual fare increase and that there's no costing on it. . And, , um I I'm not a fan of making a decision without having proper Background information last minute And while I do appreciate, um The spirit behind Counselor colors motion. I think that, , um I would prefer something that had more data. Thank you. Are there any other questions? Comments? Council for Gibson. Thank you through chair Downer. So I guess, uh, cult. Um, Sorry, D c o clock, Bush answered my first question. I'm going to ask that question again about the costing. I won't be supporting this one. Just because it is just seem a bit um Like an unknown, but maybe a question of staff on councillor Keaton's amendments do you have costing? I'll ask the same question when it comes to that amendment. . Okay. Thank you. Council crown. Did you have a question?

Okay, so either there's no more questions or comments on Counselor dollars Amendment. . Right? So I'm going to call the vote. All those opposed And I would say there's Most opposed Except when councillor color favor Okay. Thank you. So we're going to go back to councilor kittens. . Amendment, and I think, um, I had I think Councilor Karen did you or or work or Karen? Did you have a question on that questions, , Comments? ? Any questions? Councilor work. Thank you. Chair Downer through you to staff. The motion is saying that we will fund this year's variants through the budget variants. . Ah, and the balance to be referred to the mall to your budget. . I'm wondering, given, uh Of the positive variants. Is there any benefit to just directing to eat allocate funds to cover that integration over the next couple of years? ? To just decide tonight. Rather than to fund this year through positive variants, and then the subsequent years through the budget process. . Through you, Madam Chair. I would just say,

be cautious because you haven't seen the whole budget yet. Um, I think the things we moved out of the budget from last year to this year for next year. . Wobbly in the 6% range. Unless you're comfortable with that, and more to it, , I would just be cautious at this stage. . Again that will all come to you in the fall. But I just given what we know what we've what we moved off. There's a lot coming your way. . For the 24th cycle. Okay, so through you, madam chair to staff just for clarity. And because we're talking about stuff we've seen an email but that that isn't documented anywhere for the public record. . What is the annual cost? This year of Actually, I think it's in councillor. Keaton's motion like we're talking about $19,000 this year, , right? ? Um, So is that that's the full budget impact is $19,000 in order to Really is our most loyal customers into the fare increase. . Correct the number right? Threw a chair Downer. Yes, The impact. Um in 2023 is 19,000 approximately because this is an estimate $19,900 great and the impact is bigger and subsequent year

Okay, thanks. Subsidy. Could I ask what that number is? In subsequent years? ? The numbers Um, to chair down her. I believe it is in the $132,000 range. . For 2024. Is that correct? Okay, So this year it's 19,000. And then next year, , it would be 132,000 Right? Okay. I've comments, uh, cancer. Oh, thank you very much. Chair down first and foremost that you want to thank staff for a report, which I believe is important for for transit, moving forward like Ah, Adam Donaldson, who's now reporting again? I do believe that 95 to 99% of this has got it spot on. . I am very sympathetic to the sentiment of councillor, kittens motion and I will be supporting it. One of the concerns that I have is that we know right now that with every fare increase, we at

least temporarily reduced ridership and at a time when we are trying to increase ridership. I think that's a problem. Although I would not suggest that we reduce our fares by 19% to encourage more ridership. I think the message that should be sentenced that we're not going to be increasing them. . In the draconian fashion. Um, I also wish to point out that what we're dealing with in wealth and we're dealing with everywhere. . Is not housing, and it's not food, and it's not transportation. It's an affordability crisis on all three of those, and this is one thing that the city of golf can do. And even if, in the second year it's $132,000, we are talking about a minuscule amount compared to $400 million budget. We also similarly have an environmental crisis. We have electrified Busses that were looking forward to putting on the street and we certainly want people to be riding them. We would do want to get people out of cars. . We want to incentivize those people. Every car on the road every whether it's electric or gas. Whether we think that we're being virtuous by driving an electric car or not, it is an environmental cost. Consequently, if we can reduce some of those through public transit and also reduce the wear

and tear on our own roads, because we have fewer vehicles were doing a service to the community. So as a consequence, I think this is a good opportunity to say to people. . Take the better way and we're not going to raise the fares 19%. . Councilor Karen My comments are you know a staff brought us forward a recommendation because we have a policy about subsidizing transit. They did their best work. They brought us transit fares for all the right reasons. Um, in this economy and at the same time, um, while I'm seeing, you know kudos to staff for doing that. . Uh, Councilor ALTs comments and our delegation's comments are not going unheard because we as a council have a different lens and our lands is to, um to reflect what's going on in the community. And affordability is absolutely an issue. I originally you know, I I reread the report after this discussion started with the with the amended motions and and the reasons why staff wanted to stick with our fair capping policy, and I thought they were sound. . This evening, though I've been reminded by our delegates that we're talking about pass holders who are most loyal

customers. . Who don't have any other pass holders are the ones that don't have another form of transportation. They're the ones that are getting to and from work solely dependent on the passes, and that's a demographic that where affordability is is more of a challenge. So I am going to support the amendments because I think for pass holders This could make or break their decision to to, um to buy a bus pass. So you know, I think I think we have to look at that particular demographic and their needs And that's a unique lens of council and doesn't say anything. Uh, too negative about the staff recommendations. I would call a point of order in a friendly way to cancel all who used the word draconian. . And I do not believe that staff are committed conditions were in any way described in that nature and would ask for, um, kind apology. And as I know he would appoint of work privilege. The draconian was a statement on the cost of the fair, Not on staff. I don't think we have any Dragos on staff. . Thank you, , Councilor. . Councilor work. Thank you. True Downer through you to staff.

Um it's a comment. Really, Um, if we didn't raise rates of four transit since 2016 to a degree that those were our decisions to not raise those rates, and so I'm going to support the motion because the transit riders, the most loyal ones have continued writing through the pandemic, and they've come back. . Um, and it's incumbent on us to not be raising them to such a degree this year, But I really appreciate that trying to start. I mean, you can tell the care around, Okay, we're going to increase the cost of a bus bay. By this much We can tell that you are very attentive to the business fundamentals of the transit system. . I appreciate that. . Um, And at the same time we are reflecting the needs for affordability in the community. Um, and to not give the most loyal users of fare hike like this, um, all in one shot. . So I support the motion. Councilor Gibson. Thank you through you shoot down again. I'm still on the fence a little bit on how I'm going here. But I just maybe wanted to give staff another opportunity because they did all the legwork here. . And they did a great presentation on their consultation with

the transit advisory Committee. Um, what were the sentiments on the Transit Advisor Committee specifically on the fare increase? Um and I guess I'm just relying on staff's professional judgment here to let us know. . What the fallout would be if we if it would like. Are we expecting a different ridership? But when we do this, Ah, fare hike. I think that's um, , an expectation that staff Would be aware of. So through chair down and a councillor Gibson first. What I'll say is that our transit staff, um I will echo what has been said. They're very, very good at what they do, and they use a model of fare elasticity, and anytime they consider change to transit pricing. They also then factor in whether we will see a drop in ridership. As a result, Um and that's a scientific about it as I can get, because I'm not the expert they are, but they can explain more about fair last city. Um, probably at another date if you want to hear the more detailed financial modeling That they do. What I will say is that I don't I don't want to put words in the mouths of the individual members of the Transit Advisory committee, because that wouldn't be fair, but just simply to reiterate that this was all provided to them.

They were asked if there was any other feedback that they wanted to provide to counsel. They had the opportunity to either submit correspondence or registered delegate if they had concerns, And they didn't and that and the other than obviously asking lots of great questions. . Um They recognized that we needed to to do a transit increase. It has been a number of years and then the other thing that I just want to make sure that I because I haven't mentioned this yet tonight. . Um, we do also have lots of other options to address affordability are affordable Bus passing council was very bold in the tiered, affordable bus pass that you approved as well as we have. Other options are welcome to 12 Pass, etcetera. So we do have other ways that we make sure that we're addressing, uh, affordability of gulf transit. Um And so they say, I just I didn't want to, uh, omit mentioning that affordable bus pass simply because US council made a very, , very bold Decision on that the expanding that affordable bus pass to be that three tiered system so that at its lowest somebody who has the greatest financial need is pain. I believe as low as $4 a month. So that is available regardless of what decisions you make this evening. . Roasted him.

Thank you. And through you, madam Chair, I will be supporting the motion. I've had the privilege of the past couple of months of completing taxes for individuals that are low and moderate income. And what comes to mind are two custodians are working, and they would not qualify for the subsidized bus pass that shared their struggle, post pandemic in terms of their income and not picking up over time they were in schools. . Um, and the struggle of trying to make ends meet to the point where they were looking at taking days off work because they couldn't afford bus pass groceries. Things like that. I know that the community is struggling, and I think affordability for me is the main reason that I will be supporting this. . Are there any other comments or questions? Council Goller Thank you through chair. I'm I'm so struggling, uh, a little bit with with the with the motion. One of the conversations that I had with with staff is why are we increasing, increasing the price at all? And they rightfully said That's because that's what council has said so we had

said the direction that we need to recuperate so much money. . From, um from bus bus fares now In my mind. We have declared this council and there is a climate crisis. I would love to see free transit for everyone. But that is not not on the table today. So with with your patients, I would like to move another motion. Let's see if I have to. We're looking at the cost. Increase goes from 80 to 89 60 with The proposed amendments from Councilor Keeton would like to move another amendment to the amendment. That brings it from 80 to $84. . In year one, and then so that it's instead of being a $10 increase. And then another $6 increase over the next couple of years. We make it $5.05 dollars $5 to east in so the motion that I have just sent to the clerks. . Um It has removed the estimate, but it is too Um, set the cap 30 rides this year 32

rides, , um in 2025 34 rides in 2026. . Once again just to to East in that That increase a little bit more. Is there a second or for this motion? Okay? I don't see it seeing none. Are there. Councilor Gibson. Just just comments if you don't mind can share Downer. . Go ahead. Okay. Thanks. Um so I, um I understand the merits of the motion. I understand why we want to do it. Um, I but I also firmly believe that we have to place value on the public service. I and I know the marketing strategy pronounce, saying free transit. I cringe when I hear the term free transit. . Someone is always paying for that service. When we say it's free. It's basically saying it's only free for you. . You the person writing it. Everyone else is paying for it. So I am going to support the motion because I believe in the merits of the motion that being said, I am. I'm ideologically fixed

on making sure that we are placing value on our public services and ensuring that the public understand that there is a cost and the value associated with providing those services. It's very important that the public are aware of that. . The term free. It really devalues it in my mind, because it is a very costly services heavily subsidized and for good reasons, for all the reasons that have been mentioned, But I think it's just important to, uh, for the record that it's understood that there is no free transit. It's paid by somebody that being said at all. I'm happy to support this motion for the time being to ease the These the implementation of the fare increase. Okay, there any more questions or comments? So we are voting right now on the amendment by councilor Catalan around the changing the Fare capping loyalty program that the numbers in that so Is anyone opposed to the amendment. Okay, seeing none than that's unanimously passed. As amended. So now I want to vote on

The whole motion number two as amended. Any comments, questions? I called the boat is anyone opposed? They sing none that passes. Um, second one, um Mr O'Brien had told me he had a solution for this one. Thanks. Anyway, I just and thanks to I just want to thank our staff for helping us work through this. This work and the patients and Um and And there's motions that are coming now. Thank you Chair down, and I don't I don't want to speak for councillor Cadence so she can certainly correct me if I'm if I'm not correct here. . Um, but effectively the staff recommendation can be moved and then Councilor Kate and can move an amendment to the staff recommendation. That is that is as was submitted. We can put it on screen and and effectively it would read and as it relates directly to transfer times. . And the continuation of council Kings motion, So it's just allowing again. The rationale for that is and I'll defer to D. C O clock Bush for further clarity. It confirms all of the direction that's

inclusive in the staff recommendation of Number three while also believe accomplishing what councillor cadence intended. But again, I respectfully defer to Councilor Katainen de cl Clark Bush to confirm that Okay, so we have Number number three was already moved in selected so now would be a time for councillor Keaton to bring forward her amendment correct. . Okay. Would you like to do that? Yes. Um so I just to check this. Is there a second or for this motion councilor Councilor altered, Okay? ? Okay, go ahead. Um, so as it relates directly to transfer times that the fair transfer time as outlined in section 4.2 Three Attachment. One of the transit fare strategy report dated April 4th 2023 be amended to extend the permitted transfer time to 90 minutes and that staff be directed to manage the estimated financial impact of $10,000 in 2023, related to this change through the operating variants and further redirected to refer the related 2024 to 2027 costs

to the upcoming multi year budgeting process and deliberations of council. . And in speaking to this, um, mobility Busses don't run all night. Similarly to our regular bus lines and the disabled community need extra time in between stops to transfer. . Disabled people are some of the most economically disadvantaged groups and we have intersectional equity issues. . I believe that 10,000 year is a very small price tag to increase the accessibility and ensure people are not being charged twice for long rides would be kind of like a Netflix charged you twice if you watched a movie over two hours. . Um and addition to that delays in traffic, bus cancelations and construction impact transfer times for all people. . Writers have been sending me the bus itineraries, which showed that some roots are over an hour with us and walking times in between transfer points, So I think that a friendly transfer time will increase ridership and help us increase the provincial grant entitlement. . Increasing transfer times is also in the transit master plan that passed council approved in 2021. So we're being consistent with approved plans. If we make it not even a transfer. . I know Mm. Many folks supported a two hour transfer time in the tag surveys Candice's, and I think that

this is a, , um, , middle point between that Thank you So first. Are there any questions of stop for their mover on this motion? ? Are there any councillor Gibson Sorry. I feel like I'm the only one with questions. So the noted impact this year is understood but similar to the previous motion. Is there a separate number for the next year? ? Is the number get bigger. Through councillor through chair down into council Gibson. Yes, it gets bigger because the estimate for this year is for partial year, So the estimate for 2024 is $33,000. And that would be, uh, that would be brought forward through the multi year budget process. . Okay. Thank you. Okay. Are there any other questions to stuff councillor Richardson? ? Through your chair down or to D. C o clock. . Bush. . Um, in your community engagement and all the work that you've done was the transfer time brought up as a concern by many, Um three chair down into council. Richardson. I will double check with transit staff. No. Um, and that was pretty sure I was pretty sure that was the answer. I also know because I checked earlier this week we checked our files, and we've had one transit complaint

related to transfer times that's coming through our database. We do occasionally have times where if a customer misses a connection due to construction or missed run, But we will always make sure that that Customers made whole in that instance but to the question of the actual transfer time, No that didn't come up through our engagement and we have had one complaint come into our transit office in recent years. . Thank you. Are there any other questions of stuff on this? Okay, , comments on this motion. . Councilor Karen just a simple comment because I I It has happened to me where I've missed a transfer, and it's it's not because I'm I have a disability unless you call needing to go to the bathroom disability. I missed the bus because I needed to take a bathroom break in between. So I think I mean, I think it is a real disincentive to riding transit for those Who are not able to make their connections. And although we didn't hear transfer times, specifically in the surveys, I think missed connections with something that we did hear a lot of. And maybe maybe that was the language that the the that input took the form of, um but I guess I do have a question after all, and it relates to this is that calculation of

Of 10,000 this year 33,000. What is that based on? Is that based on the number of potential writers who will abuse that transfer time? Or is that based on the actual number of, um, routes that don't align with a 60 minute period? What? ? What is that figure based on For you to downer to councillor. So what it's based on so currently, Oliver Roots can make the transfer time within the 60 minutes, but we did an analysis on all of our cardholders have unique card number, and we pulled all the cards that tap a second time between the 60 and 90 minutes, And then we looked at all of those individual trips to confirm if it was one continuous trip or if they're actually coming back. . So we looked at them all and there wasn't they were not continuous trips with their tapping between the 16 90 minutes they were returning to go back. . Comes to the road. Thank you. Well, I'm hearing that there. There wasn't much of a concern from writers. I do recognize that there were some concerns from delegates on transfer time. And I think that we need to acknowledge that that there were people that did come forward to state that the transfer

time was was was of a concern and and I think that this is something that we can revisit as well. But I think if we are promoting a bus system to to ensure multimodal transit in Gulf, and that includes walking and bikes as well, that this is something that for 10th per $10,000 price tag is relatively insufficient. . In Insignificant. So, councillor Colored Gibson and the buildings. Thank you through your chart Downer. I'm happy to support this this motion. Um you know when we talk about subsidizing, and perhaps we may be subsidized seem the trips were some patrons but also for those patrons that are not able to make their transfers. I think this is this is important. I'd like to remind counsel that we subsidized everyone's parking spaces. Whenever you go out you park on the road. . You're not paying for it. You're not paying for in the downtown. You're not paying for it throughout the city, and every taxpayer is paying for that. So I think we need to do more with our public transit. And I think this is going in the right direction. .

Thank you. The buildings. Through you, Madam chair to stuff, So I just I need clarity on the one thing and it was Councilor Karen's issue. We're going to the bathroom. I get on the bus and I go downtown and I need to transfer But I don't make it gotta go to the washroom. . So When it comes time for the next bus cycle. Is that not technically within my 60 minutes, so that I wouldn't have to pay another fare. . For your chair down or to councillor. The transfer is effective as soon as you tap your card the first time So if you tap at 10 A.m., you can travel on limited until 11 a.m.. . So that extra bus if I tap it at 10 59, then I'm good to go. Yes, that's correct, OK? Thank you. Councilor Gibson. Yeah. Thank you through chair down her, um not to dismiss any of the merits of the arguments here. I think they've all been good. I guess my question to staff. Maybe it's a takeaway, not direction. But just a question Could staff

um, maybe through email, the council or two, maybe information later on. Just let us know where we're at with our internal policy around subsidizing transit. I feel like sometimes we don't ask that question enough. . I think we're well past the rate at which we we have a as set policy that we would subsidize the service. Um perhaps staff can answer that question out. Or would you like to take it away and perhaps update us later? ? So three chair downer. I will speak to it now because there is an original policy. I think it dates back to 2019 that came through a previous transit service review related to that RC ratio or that revenue to cost ratio. However, finance did bring forward a revenue policy last month that shifted us to a different way of looking at how we collect revenue and really looking at finding a balance between what are we transferring to the user of any individual service versus what are we calculate? ? Waiting to be in the greater good of the community. And part of the reason for that is it takes us away from that very, very strict revenue to cost ratio that we used to use because then we're factoring expenses in two revenues, And that isn't always the best way to calculate revenue. So,

um, so the sort of longer answer to that and we can certainly look back with a more fulsome email and and work with our colleagues in finance on that, but that is that our revenue policy from last month Um, that was considered by council shifts off away from that strict percentage based and more looking at revenues like you're considering now expenses like you'll be considering a budget and then looking at it in the totality of what is the what is the best approach for and and I'll take it away from transit for a moment. Maybe if we look at recreation what? What amount should a user be pain? But what amount is in the greater good of the community to be providing those services and so we can follow up with finance and get more of that to you? ? In an email. Okay. Thank you. Are there any other questions or comments? ? Honest. Councilor Caitlin Thank you through you, Um so I just wanted to reiterate that, um, this is a transfer time issue. It does affect everybody And just like any accessibility and equity issue, everybody benefits from accessibility. Everyone benefits from the ability to be able to move slower and getting between transfers. .

I know that folks who are going all the way across the city from where I live potentially over to handling business Park there right is much longer. . So it is. Not the same experience for everybody, and we're trying to make sure that every educate is given an equal opportunity to have one straight ride with one family. . Is there. Are there any other Comments or questions regarding the amendment before us Okay. I'm going to call the vote. All those opposed to the motion. Uh huh. Seeing none. Assuming that's the unanimous then and we need to then vote on the whole. . Ah! Of number three. So is there any more comments on number three is questions okay? I'll call the vote is anyone opposed? ? The amended motion number three Seeing none that's supported.

And now I'll, um So do we need to cook Mr O'Brien do we need We don't need to go through the whole thing again. . Jesus No, no catcher down and we, um we don't need to go through it. I didn't want to mention one thing, though. Chair Downer at committee, the whole Mayor Guthrie moved a motion directing staff to investigate and report back through a budget process on some matters Council may have noted that that wasn't captured on the agenda that just for clarity's purpose, that's that's something that committee does have the authority to do so at the earlier meeting of this month. . Um, that that direction to staff to report back was captured. Um, and so I just wanted to add that clerk. I don't know if D c o clock. Bush wants to anything, but I'm I know that it's been captured by her team. Sure, if it's okay. I just threw chair. Downer just confirm that. Yes, we have captured that and we will action it. It will come back in the form of probably an information report for your consideration that we're aiming for in September. . It relates to transit affordability and accessibility for a couple of specific age groups. And so we'll be engaging with a number of community stakeholders on that and coming back to you with an information report in September for your consideration, and without sort of stealing our thunder

were very much going to be approaching it from the perspective of how it wears are affordable bus pass working and are there gaps in that system that we need to address to make sure that we are making transit accessible in a four? ? Edible for the the age, the ages that were specified in the motion that will come back for your consideration in September as an information report, so that then you can consider any outcomes of that as part of your budget deliberations. . Okay. Thank you. So I did want to just make a comment on the work That's been done on this. I think it's very good work. I think as many delegations as the delegations and council has said that Much of the report and the recommendations coming forward were supported. Some few things have been taken out that that council having hearing delegations for letters have taken into account and change. But I really want to thank staff for the work that has been done on transit staff. I know that it's you did a lot of work, a lot of due diligence, listening to the community and Things evolve as we go along, But congratulations. So we're gonna go to 8.2. And this was a motion. That's um, recommendations from abroad to

this agenda. It's the municipal code of conduct and support of Bill five stopping harassment. . And abuse by local leaders Act and I'm going to ask councilor worker if she'd like to put the motion on the floor and we'll get a second. Er and then maybe she would like to speak to this. Uh, thank you. Chair. Downer. Counselor. . Richardson has agreed to second So the motion that you have before you was actually brought to council by Mayor Mary Guthrie and I met with MPP Stephen Blair of Orleans, which is where I grew up. Actually, we met with him a few weeks ago, and he is the proponent of Bill five, stopping harassment and abuse by local leaders Act. . What this legislation does is it amends the code of conduct for municipal councilors and members of amends the Municipal act to allow requirement for councilors and members to comply with workplace violence and harassment policies that is absent in the act at this time. . The amendments proposed in Bill Five. Also permit municipalities and local boards to direct the integrity commissioner to apply to the court to vacate a member's seat of the

commissioners inquiry determines that the member has contributed code of conduct, so there is a mechanism in place that's not councillors making any determination. There's a new mechanism proposed to go to the integrity commissioner. . And then the court to propose a remedy and those things are absent. . So it creates. Some Responsibility for local leaders, so all of our staff would be required to comply with workplace harassment and violence policies. . And while it's not an issue 99.9% of the time with local leaders, there are cases where there's workplace violence and harassment from elected officials. But no mechanism exists to remove them other than say, Wait till the next election. . So, , Bill five, , um Proposes to do that. So it allows that mechanism to remove a mayor or city Council from office for egregious workplace violence or harassment. It has a support from Ontario's big city mayors from chemo from Roma and 57 municipalities. And maybe tonight we make growth number 58. . Um, because we do need tougher penalties if there

are municipal leaders who abuse or harass or demean their staff and colleagues, , um There are similar measures proposed by email. And I'm just reading from a policy update from M O. . Where they indicate that their board believes that the current tools available to municipal councils to ensure ethical behavior and respectful discourse are inadequate and do not meet public expectations, and M O has also presented at the request of the minister of municipal affairs and housing a number of recommendations to improve The application municipal codes of conduct for elected officials. So this motion is simply the city of wealth and graphs Council. . Uh, , support for Bill five. . In the context and and and, um And the association municipality of Ontario's recommendations. Okay, So it's it's the it's the two. It's the support of the Association of the Municipalities, Aimo and then it's also support further support for Bill. Five different companies. Is that you okay, Thank you. Are there any questions, councillor? All Thank you very much. I have no issue with the principles that are being presented. But the

question is actually first of all. . Two questions asked them quickly. First of all this definition of egregious and secondly for staff. I was wondering if if there are any comments and stuff wishes to make on this proposal, but the egregious one who defines egregious first question Integrity Commissioner Right. So the mover right so through chair down or to Councilor Ault The motion in front of counsel to date is not implementing. The bill is not helping to draft or define the terms within the bill. It's supporting the bill that actually still has to go to committee the principles of it. It is supporting the principles of what M O is putting forward so who would define egregious the integrity commissioner and then the court and then they could recommend a remedy because there are cases in Ontario recent ones where there have been What we could define as egregious behavior and thank you for that. Just comment one of one of my concerns as a council on this just reinforce it is. I didn't have a chance to read the report because it came to us so late, and I would hope cheer Downer that we as a council can work to be sure that we get information because I understand there's a 60 page report that comes with this

as well is what somebody else has told me. So Consequently, , I I like to find out what we mean by things like egregious, for example. But the second question does come to staff if staff does wish to to comment on this. . A future down at a councillor. All the only comment I'd be comfortable in providing is that at this current point, there is a distinguished difference between the treatment of employees of the corporation Municipal Corporation and the difference from Council and this the intentions behind this bill, , Um they lessen that gap. . As the extent that I would probably provide comment for thanks great comment. . Thank you. Are there any other a ments or questions? ? Councilor classes. Yeah, thank you for bringing this forward because I hadn't heard about it, and I was happy to learn a little bit more through the course of the last 24 hours. Um, and I think it's just important because it's not something that we ever think about. And I think everybody in this room holds themselves to a high standard and we follow the code of conduct. .

But this isn't necessarily just for us. This is for you know, we don't know what's coming in the future, and I think it just closes that gap, and there's some stories out there like a quick Google search in your find some some stories and and so thank you for bringing this forward and I will be supporting Okay. Thank you. Any other comments? Questions? ? Okay. I'm going to call the vote. Is there anyone opposed to this? ? Okay. Unanimously passed. Thank you. We're gonna go to one to the bylaws, Counselor. Richardson, Are you going to bring them forward? ? Hmm. Want me to read it. Oh, So I will move the bylaws number 2023-2 Oh, 794 through 2023-2. Oh, 796 are hereby past and that'll be seconded by councilor out. Thank you. . Any questions on the bylaws comments Seeing none. Is there anyone opposed?

Seeing none of those are passed. I I don't have any announcements. Oh, that's it. Do we have a motion to adjourn? ? Thank you, , everyone. . Councilor All seconded by councilor class We are now adjourned.