Interim Transit Commission /
Commission du transport en commun par intérim
15 February 2011 / le
15 février 2011
Submitted by/Soumis par : Nancy Schepers, Deputy City Manager/Directrice municipale adjointe, Infrastructure
Services and Community Sustainability/Services
d 'infrastructure et Viabilité des collectivités
Contact Person/Personne ressource :
Vincent Patterson, Manager, Marketing and Strategic Development, Transit Services/Service de transports en
commun
(613) 580-2424 x 3672,
vincent.patterson@ottawa.ca
SUBJECT:
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Toward a Sustainable Transit System for Ottawa: OC Transpo 2011 Business PlaN
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OBJET
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VERS UN
SYSTÈME DE TRANSPORT EN COMMUN DURABLE POUR OTTAWA: PLAN
D’ACTIVITÉS 2011 D’OC TRANSPO |
That the Interim Transit Commission:
1. Table for consideration the 2011 Business Plan (Document 1) as information supplemental to the 2011 Budget and for approval at the March 23 meeting of the Interim Transit Commission; and
2. Forward Document 2 (which includes network optimization options) to the Interim Transit Commission’s meeting on February 24th for consideration as part of the budget deliberations.
Que la
Commission du transport en commun par intérim :
As OC Transpo completed its Strategic Branch Review in 2008, it identified the need for a long-range vision for operation and financial planning. As a result, the 10-Year Tactical Plan was developed, which ultimately, ensures that a sustainable delivery model for transit services is established.
Council received the 10-Year Tactical Plan as part of the 2010 Budget discussion. This document was used as the starting point in identifying opportunities to achieve efficiencies through changes to the service delivery model.
As recommend by staff and approved by Council, OC Transpo will provide an annual update to the Tactical Plan, which, beginning with this report, will now be considered the “Business Plan.” This report will incorporate multi-year initiatives, fleet plans and changes to key resources required to meet services strategies and standards directed by Transit Commission.
The Business Plan is designed to fill the gap between the long-term vision of the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) and the short-term strategies produced annually through Transplan, the annual Marketing Plan and budget development.
The 2011 Business Plan is designed to build on the direction established by the Tactical Plan by reporting on key business metrics, both in the current context and long-term forecasts.
Specifically, the 2011 Business Plan will provide the Commission and Council with the first review and refinements of last year’s Tactical Plan. It will also highlight key initiatives within OC Transpo that are designed to help achieve our longer-term vision for service delivery and asset management, including potential savings of up to 20 per cent or $100 million of annual operating costs by 2019. Some of the key recommendations include mitigation measures in preparation for light rail conversion, the implementation of a trunk-and-feeder network with the opening of light rail, and the alignment with Council direction in terms of area coverage.
Reflecting on Council direction related to transit and the evolution of the light rail project, OC Transpo has developed a number of options for the 2011 Business Plan that will create significant efficiencies over the next 10 years. In addition to examining the trunk-and-feeder network and area coverage of conventional transit, staff will look at increasing capacity of the O-Train and purchasing double-decker buses.
The 2011 Business Plan maps out the direction Council should consider over the next decade to achieve its vision for both service delivery and capital asset management.
The main recommendations of the 2011 Business Plan set the stage to create service delivery options that will provide safe and reliable service within a sustainable framework. This direction will provide a growth model that will place Ottawa’s transit system on solid and sustainable financial foundation for years to come.
If these changes are made, the transit system will be able to properly fund capital and operating within its share of a 2.5 per cent tax increase. If these changes are not made, this will not be possible and the transit service will require a significant increase in property tax support.
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There is no consultation required for the preparation of this report.
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There are no legal/risk management impediments to the implementation of this report's recommendation.
The attached 2011 Business Plan directly and indirectly supports the following objectives of the Transportation Master Plan and previous Council strategic directions..
A1. Improve the City’s transportation network to afford ease of mobility, keep pace with growth, reduce congestion and work towards modal split targets.
B1. Attain transit goals (30 per cent modal split) by 2021.
E6. Require walking, transit and cycling oriented communities and employment centres.
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The Business Plan forecast and underlying assumptions have been reviewed for reasonableness and consistency. OC Transpo’s planned network changes, as proposed in the 2011 Budget, in addition to operational changes corresponding with the introduction of light rail transit and higher capacity double-decker buses are reflected in the Business Plan’s 10-year financial results. The operating budget is properly aligned with the 10-year capital investment plan for Transit.
Please note that the double-decker savings are based on initial estimates and subject to further analysis in an upcoming business case.
The Business Plan fairly represents the tax requirements for Transit operations over the 10 year period 2011 - 2020 based on the underlying assumptions.
The Long Range Financial Plan will address the financing of the 10-year Transit capital investment plan.
Document 1 – 2011 Business Plan
Document 2 – Sections 2.1, 2.5 and 2.7 of the 2011 Business Plan
Document 3 - Results of Double-Decker Pilot Project
Upon Transit Commission approval, OC Transpo will develop business cases for both the purchase of new high-capacity buses and expanding O-Train capacity. Staff will also bring forward route optimization options for Transit Commission’s review.