Innisfil scraps single-bus plan in favour of ride-sharing program

Innisfil Council has rejected a $285,000 one-bus transit plan, directing staff to implement a ride-sharing program similar to the Uber model used in Toronto and other large urban centres.

The new system, which could be launched within a year, will involve partnerships with local taxi drivers, would match residents in need of rides to the recreation centre, grocery store, doctor's appoints and other places with drivers willing to pick them up and transport them to the door.

Councillors rejected a consultant's recommendation to launch a transit system with just one bus running along Innisfil Beach Road and north to the Barrie GO station, and Deputy Mayor Lynn Dollin says she is excited by the possibilities of an on-demand transit system as an alternative to a traditional bus-based system.

"There are still lots of questions that will need to be answered, but the concept could be more effective and less costly than trying to provide traditional transit.

A ride sharing program is a first step that will allow the town to determine where and when people are going and how best to meet the needs in the future.

“We really have to consider that it isn't just the $285,000 in 2016 to get things started, the cost goes on and on. You can never stop it."

Dollin pointed to neighbouring municipalities such as Bradford, that are much more compact, which are struggling to create a viable transit system.

“If they are struggling, how will we do it with our geographic challenges,” she said.

After hearing the idea at a recent budget presentation, council committed $10,000 to create a community action committee to study an Uber-style approach. The committee will report back to council in February.

In 2016, money will be used for outreach and possibly developing an online application (APP) to get the program started.

"This is very exciting for Innisfil," Dollin said. "We believe it is a cost-effective way to go We know that we can subsidize an awful lot of taxi rides for the price of driving an empty bus around the municipality.

Council will review the idea again on December 9, during the 2016 budget debate.