COCHRANE— Time is running out to have your say on Cochrane's regional transit line plans.
The Town of Cochrane in partnership with Southland Transportation are seeking public feedback on the planned transit lines between COLT fixed routes and the enhanced On-It regional service.
An online survey has been launched, Cochrane Transit coordinator Devin LaFleche said, so the community can provide feedback to ensure the service design enhances On-It services based on the needs of Cochranites.
“This really guides us on how we start this local regional service integration,” LaFleche said. “We’re looking for as much feedback as possible— We’re asking residents how they envision the regional service.”
The survey is looking to learn where residents want to go and what time they want to go in and out of Calgary, gain input on expected fare prices and gauge if there is an interest in going out to Canmore or Banff on additional lines.
The survey will also look at communities that participate to better understand where demand for transit in Cochrane is strongest. When the COLT fixed routes launch, they will likely take a phased approach and will do so based on where the demand appears to be greatest.
The service is expected to launch in the fall and will initially include four fixed COLT routes running from 5:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The planned routes will connect between the Cochrane Transit and Innovation Hub to Calgary.
Cochrane Transit is creating routes based on the quickest trip times, best stop locations, leaving people where they want to be and somewhere safe, LaFleche said. Public feedback will be used with this information to explore potential different routes and locations for drop-offs of passengers.
“The current On-It service, it really focuses on that commuter going to downtown Calgary,” LaFleche said, adding COLT is exploring how to create a diversity of riders who use the service.
COVID-19 has impacted the launch of regional lines, LaFleche said, because the pandemic essentially eliminated people working in the downtown core of Calgary and attending school at the University of Calgary. These changes severely impacted demand for the On-It regional transit service.
“Once we have people in the bus, or people interested in getting in the bus, that’s when both the Town [of Cochrane] and Southland we’re looking to start,” LaFleche said.
The impact showed the need to diversify users who visit the city to ensure On-It and COLT have the support to grow the services available to riders.
Once the recovery from COVID-19 begins COLT will relaunch its interim-regional service that runs to the Brentwood LRT station. The relaunch will be based on service demand. Brentwood was chosen based on research and working with Calgary Transit to understand where COLT services could be integrated.
Planning and launching the regional service has been challenging, he said, because COVID-19 limited the ways COLT has been able to interact with the community to gauge interests and needs.
The survey should take about five minutes to complete and has seen good participation so far, he said.
“If you’re interested in going to Calgary, even Banff and Canmore, we want to hear your feedback,” LaFleche said.
Provide input on COLT by visiting letstalkcochrane.ca/regional-transit-service/.
