What is a Transit Feasibility Study (TFS)?
A Transit Feasibility Study (TFS) will guide the Town’s capital and operating needs to design a transit network under current conditions and over the next 20 years. The TFS will provide the unique opportunity for proactive thinking, anticipating community needs, and developing a long-term vision that aligns with community goals, integrates with other agencies, ensures inclusivity and resilience, and supports economic development. The plan will explore multiple transit service options to address first and last mile connections and make transit attractive. This holistic approach ensures an efficient, inclusive, and environmentally friendly transit system that supports balanced and responsible growth, in alignment with the Town’s Transportation Master Plan and Official Plan.
This process will include consultation with the public and stakeholders, consideration of reasonable alternative solutions, a needs assessment, transit network options, evaluation of alternatives, and documentation of the process that results in a recommended plan.
Why does Carleton Place need a TFS?
Across Canada, transit has become an integral part of the transportation landscape; whether people reside in large municipalities or small, there is a growing collective focus to enhance or expand transit services to address affordability, environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation, thereby improving overall quality of life.
Carleton Place is no different; with the town experiencing growth in recent years and with current projections suggesting the Town’s population will double in the next two decades highlights the town’s need to shift towards a more sustainable vision of its transportation system. In addition, people living in Carleton Place rely heavily on their cars to get to work with less than 1% using public transportation. Both seniors and residents younger than 17 years of age account for 40% of the population. Therefore, considering convenient alternative options for daily activities and appointments among these fringe groups will be important. This study presents an excellent opportunity to assess the possibilities of a sustainable transit service for all residents in Carleton Place, including those that cannot afford or access a vehicle, cannot physically drive due to various reasons such as age or ability, or would like to have an environmentally sustainable option in lieu of driving a vehicle.
Therefore, the Town has initiated this TFS to develop a plan that will incorporate both existing needs and future trends to guide the development of transit solution, for years to come.
How do I get involved?
You can help us shape the Town’s future transportation system in a number of ways:
- Subscribe to CP Scoop via the Town website to stay informed on the TFS and upcoming events.
- Complete our Online Community Survey to help us understand what your thoughts and concerns are with the Town’s transportation system.
- Attend our Public Information Meeting. A single meeting is planned at a key stage of the study process. At this event, we will share our progress to-date and ask for your feedback.
- Contact our Project Managers. At any time, you may contact our PMs noted on the TFS webpage for any additional information or thoughts.