The Township, in partnership with Dillon Consulting Limited, is conducting a public transit feasibility study. Our goal is to assess the demand to expand on the existing public transit options currently in place.
Why We're Doing This Study
Centre Wellington is a growing community, with the majority of that growth focused on the communities of Fergus and Elora. The needs of our residents are also changing. We have a growing senior population looking for more independence, young people that need access to jobs and activities, greater concerns over housing affordability, and more residents that need to travel to both local and regional destinations.
Strengthening our public transit network is an exciting opportunity to provide more choices for getting around. A new transit system could improve access to services, regional destinations, and employment while helping to reduce downtown congestion and parking issues. It also provides a cheaper, safe, and comfortable way for everyone to get around.
What We’re Building On
This project will build on transit services that already operate in our community. Multiple transit services currently operate through or within Centre Wellington include:
- RIDE WELL (on-demand transit provided by the County of Wellington);
- Guelph Owen Sound Transit (GOST, provided by Owen Sound);
- The seasonal Elora and Fergus Downtown Shuttle, provided by the Township; and
- Wellington Transportation Services provided by the Community Resource Centre.
Building on the work already underway to improve these services will help drive Centre Wellington’s transportation network in a sustainable, long-term direction.
Centre Wellington is also facing in-town public parking issues in downtown Elora and Fergus, made worse by the lack of alternatives to driving. The demand for additional public transit has been demonstrated within Fergus and Elora by the growth in the Downtown Shuttle and Wellington County’s RIDE WELL trips within Centre Wellington.
Project Scope
Investing in transit can help improve connectivity and access and reduce downtown parking concerns, providing both residents and visitors new options to safely, and affordably get around the Township.
This study, as approved by Township Council, will explore the following opportunities:
- Local transit services complementing the existing RIDE WELL and Downtown Shuttle service in Elora and Fergus;
- Enhancing regional connections to Guelph and Wellington North (Arthur and Mount Forest), and introducing new connections to cities such as Kitchener and Orangeville;
- Better accessibility for residents with disabilities and seniors;
- Accommodating population and tourism growth across the Township; and
- Detailed costing, design, and implementation strategies for the recommended public transit services.
How You Can Have Your Say
This study will involve extensive public consultation to ensure a right-fit solution that meets our community’s diverse needs. Stay tuned for more details on ways you can get involved to help grow our township’s transportation network!
