Transit buses seen as ‘constantly running late’

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This article was published 29/08/2024 (630 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon Transit’s services are perceived as “constantly running late,” according to feedback received during public consultations earlier this year.

Last year, the City of Brandon commissioned Watt Consulting Group to review Brandon Transit’s operations and create a new long-term plan for the service.

In May, Watt representatives held open houses, meetings with stakeholders and surveys as part of those efforts.

The city released preliminary findings from those consultations on Monday.

In total, 633 people responded to the online survey, 29 stakeholder representatives were interviewed and 255 people attended the pop-up open houses.

Released in the form of presentation slides, the information is divided into several sections: feedback from all respondents, feedback from transit users, feedback from non-transit users, feedback received at open houses and feedback from stakeholders.

Respondents were asked to identify Brandon Transit’s successes, challenges and opportunities for improvement.

Across both the open houses and the surveys, people said they perceived the entire transit system as constantly running late, with routes 15 and 17 the worst culprits.

Riders perceive buses on some routes as being so full that some passengers are left behind while buses on other routes appear mostly empty.

Low service frequency on weekends, early mornings and late at night was seen as prohibitive, while many bus stops are seen as inaccessible, especially at night and during poor weather.

“Incidents of physical unsafety and racial abuse have led to a perception of discomfort and danger for those waiting at the Downtown Terminal,” the document said.

Asked what would make them more likely to use transit, 58.9 per cent of non-users participating in the survey said they wanted more direct service. Other wants included more amenities like shelters and bike racks (55.9 per cent), more frequent service (54 per cent) and a live-tracking system for buses (51 per cent)

Among those who use Brandon Transit, 50.8 per cent of riders want increased bus frequency. Users’ other top wants include a live-tracking system (41.3 per cent), more amenities (37.4 per cent) and changes to stop locations (37.1 per cent).

Users were also asked to identify what their top challenges faced while using transit were.

Weather, especially in winter, was the top concern identified by 42.2 per cent of respondents. Rounding out the top four were long transfer times (41.8 per cent), long wait times at the downtown bus terminal (34.8 per cent) and lack of comfort (29 per cent).

Among survey respondents, routes 8 (Maryland West), 14 (Victoria West), 15 (East Hospital/ACC) and 17 (South Centre) were the most used.

At the open houses, consultants heard positive comments about additional security at the downtown bus terminal, the friendly temperament of drivers and low fares.

However, people also said that Brandon Transit’s buses are perceived as “old and unclean,” there are not enough bus shelters and the transfer system doesn’t work well.

Interviews were held with these transit stakeholders: Brandon School Division, Westman Immigrant Services, Brandon Regional Health Centre, Prairie Mountain Health, Brandon University, “transit champions,” Assiniboine Community College, Maple Leaf, Assiniboine Community College Students’ Union and the Age Friendly Committee.

They told the consultants that Brandon Transit helps people access essential services like the Salvation Army and the 7th Street Health Access Centre, that bus drivers are polite and accommodating and that Brandon Transit’s website is helpful.

However, they also said that vulnerable and marginalized people cannot always afford transit fare, immigrants have had trouble finding houses near transit routes, scheduling does not accommodate people working early or late shifts, and the transfer system is difficult for people, especially newcomers, to understand.

One of the largest issues identified by the stakeholders was consistent lateness. The consultants were told that having to wait up to 30 minutes for a bus with no idea of when the next one will arrive makes Brandon Transit an “unattractive choice.”

On top of that, the issues with lateness mean that “ACC students consistently arrive late to their morning classes due to overcrowding and lateness on Route 15, sometimes even being left behind at bus stops.”

The stakeholders recommended that a pass system be created for low-income and marginalized people, security and lighting be improved at stops and express service be created along 18th Street and Victoria Avenue.

They also said that users would be willing to pay a higher fare if transfers were included.

“As we look ahead to this fall, we’re eager to hear your thoughts and ideas for the next steps in enhancing our transit system,” said a post to the city’s Facebook page on Wednesday afternoon. “Stay tuned for more community engagement opportunities!”

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