The City of Barrie has unveiled a new transit network which goes into effect June 2, as growing pains continue for some riders.
The new Transit ON Demand (ToD) program will expand to five zones and, until June 2, the new zones are available for riders to try for free, while existing scheduled routes will remain operational, according to a city news release.
“During this time, if you start on a Transit ON Demand zone, your ride, including transfer, will be free of charge,” stated the release.
Other key changes to the transit network include modifications to routes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 100. Routes 2, 7 and 8 will remain unchanged.
There is also an express route on Highway 400, which connects the north and south ends of Barrie.
The city has also added service coverage on Hanmer Street, Lakeside Terrace and Amelia Street.
But concerns have also been raised surrounding Barrie’s new transit program and what some riders say needs to be fixed with the system.
Some transit users have said they are experiencing difficulties with the transition.
Whether the expanded routes will address these concerns remains to be seen.
The city will be hosting several in-person, drop-in information sessions in the coming days where people can find out more about the network and how to use Transit ON Demand.
The following sessions take place at the Barrie Transit Terminal, located downtown at 24 Maple Ave.
- Monday, June 3 — 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 4 — 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 5 — 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Thursday, June 6 — 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Friday, June 7 — 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Saturday, June 8 — 12 to 5 p.m.
- Monday, June 10 — 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 11 — 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 12 — 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Thursday, June 13 — 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Barrie resident Jay Dasadia, 28, launched a petition on May 4 calling for route changes. He works as a pharmacy assistant and commutes almost every day to the south end of Barrie for work.
The petition urges city officials to reconsider the original ToD changes and "prioritize efficient commuting options ... for better daily commutes.”
“We are losing valuable time that could be spent with family or at work due to inefficient bus routes," Dasadia said. "Furthermore, this issue disproportionately impacts those who cannot afford alternative means of transportation.
“The zones are too tiny and ToD can’t be taken from one zone to another, so I must transfer one or two times, wasting my time to catch the next transit,” he added in an interview with BarrieToday.
According to Brent Forsyth, city’s director of transit, the user ratings and comments have been positive since the city expanded the Transit ON Demand service to more areas of the city on May 1.
“The on-time performance of the service has operated at 98 per cent, and the service is continuing to get an average user rating of 4.8 stars out of 5,” he said in an email.
Forsyth noted transit staff have been holding information sessions and were out riding along the routes that will be affected, “helping riders understand how to use the service, and educating riders on the coming service changes for June 2," he said.
“Staff had identified that face-to-face engagement has been a more effective way of delivering the information,” Forsyth said. “However, we would continue to encourage residents to visit our website for more information, or call service Barrie at 705-726-4242 for additional support.”
There are ways to book a Transit ON Demand ride, and a mobile device is not required:
- Book through the free app from the Apple or Google Play store by searching for "Barrie ToD"
- Visit book.barrietod.rideco.com/login on a web browser
- Call Service Barrie at 705-726-4242
For more details, schedules and maps of the revamped network, visit barrie.ca/NewTransitNetwork.
