Town of Pelham votes in favour of consolidating transit systems in Niagara
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2022
Pelham, ON – The Town of Pelham council, at the January 17, 2022 special meeting, voted unanimously in favour of combining all of Niagara’s existing services into one single, integrated transit commission serving all of Niagara.
“Having a process that has allowed Pelham to provide advice and input on how to help move transit forward for the community, has been a great example of what happens through co-operation” said Town of Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin. “Having a consolidated transit system available for residents in Pelham opens up a lot of doors.”
Pelham was the 9th municipality to vote on the proposed consolidated transit plan, a culmination of a decade of work by people from across Niagara.
The consolidation of transit in Niagara brings together independently operating local transit systems in Fort Erie, St. Catharines, Welland, and Niagara Falls, as well as Niagara Region Transit and NRT OnDemand which is currently offered in Pelham. The consolidation will provide consistent operating hours and fares, new digital payment technology, and better connections for riders across the Niagara Region. In rural areas and where demand doesn’t warrant a fixed route service, the OnDemand transit model would continue.
On Nov. 25, Regional Council voted in favour of the plan. To move forward with the proposed plan, a majority of Niagara’s 12 local municipal councils, representing a majority of Niagara's electors, must vote in favour of the plan.
With a triple-majority achieved, the new Transit Commission will be created and is proposed to begin operation on January 1, 2023. In the interim, the existing transit systems would continue to operate and deliver service while the Region takes steps to ensure a smooth transition.
For more information on the proposed consolidated transit model, visit www.movingtransitforward.ca or contact the project team at transit@niagararegion.ca.
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