Decision made on new transfer point for Orangeville Transit

The Orangeville Transit Task Force made its final recommendations to Orangeville Council this week, with the most significant being the location of a new transfer point. After years of review, Council voted 5-2 to establish a transfer point for Orangeville Transit buses on both sides of Broadway, between First Street and John Street. The task force was formed in 2019 to review and make recommendations to Council regarding transit operations.

Following the Town of Orangeville Transit Optimization Study (2016) and a subsequent update (2017) prepared by Dillon Consulting, Council directed staff to implement the recommendations of the 2017 study which included the establishment of a new, centrally-located transfer point, rather than the current location on Fourth Street.

Dillon Consulting’s 2017 study reviewed several transit terminal locations, including the current location Centre Street at Hillside Drive, Diane Drive on west Broadway, Metrolinx GO terminal on Town Line, and the downtown location on Broadway (both sides).

A former Council had approved the concept of a layby on Centre Street, to serve as the transfer point near Dufferin County’s Edelbrock Centre, and asked County Council to approve the idea. The layby was approved at committee but tabled by County Council as Community Garden supporters expressed opposition.

In March of 2019, Orangeville Council directed that a task force be formed to review transit operations and future direction of the service.

In its report to Council this week, the task force supported Dillon Consulting’s recommendation for the transfer point to be located on Broadway, given the location’s close proximity to downtown destinations and larger ridership catchment.

“The decision made by Council on the transit hub location was an important step in creating a more efficient public transit system in Orangeville,” said Mayor Sandy Brown. “The lack of a geographically central transfer hub had hindered the transit system. Equidistant routes will lead to an increase in ridership because we will have a better and more reliable service. The recent launch of a transit app also improves the customer experience for those using our transit system. Many thanks to the Transit Task Force for their diligent review of the options and their recommendation to Council.”

Additional recommendations by the Orangeville Transit Task Force include moving to a four-route system to improve Town-wide coverage and system efficiency, maximizing advertising opportunities in bus shelters and on buses, and looking into the feasibility of an accessible bus. Town staff will develop an implementation plan which will include a four-route system with each route beginning and ending at the new transfer point. Further information will be forthcoming regarding the timing of these changes.