Belleville Transit is getting set to implement its new route system on Monday.
The new system is part of the city’s plan to improve service over the next five years and beyond.
Manager of Transportation and Operations for the City of Belleville, Joe Reid, spoke to Quinte News ahead of the implementation.
“The reality is it will be quicker service. Now, there might be a little bit more time walking to a stop, but Belleville.ca has our transit information list on there and has a route planner and will help you understand where you need to go and get the times at new routes,” Reid tells Quinte News.
“Be patient the next couple of weeks. There are some changes coming on as we progress, but I think at the end of the day, it’s going to be a positive experience for users.”
A petition has been circulating calling for a stop to the route changes.
When asked about feedback the city has received regarding the new system, Reid said that they received a lot of feedback and that all questions that have been sent to them, whether it be through the transit website or through a customer service representative, have been answered.
“There has been some information out there that was incorrect,” Reid tells Quinte News.
“We’re happy at any time for people to reach out to us directly and be able to get them the concrete information that they need so they can plan their trips accordingly.”
Reid says, ultimately, the service should be much faster for riders.
“There are some streets that we had over-serviced and this is going to give a more equitable process around the city and be able to be faster and more efficient,” Reid said.
“I mean, our aim is to be able to achieve at least 30 minutes to get where you need to go. We had some routes that, by the time you had your transfers and stuff, you were up over an hour by the time you got on one route and went to another depending on where you were along the ride. So with a two-way service and the ability to transfer in other locations through the city, we really do expect a positive experience for users.”
Regarding whether or not there is room to make tweaks to the system if needed, Reid said that is definitely on the table.
“The reality is we are going to be fluid. I mean the routes themselves for the most part have been set. We worked extensively with the union and (on) the scheduling software to have the routes and the run blocks,” Reid said.
“It’s quite a science to to actually calculate everything but there will be tweaks along the way. We work for the users and, at the end of the day, we want to make sure that their experience is positive for the broader good of our community,”
A look at the new system, as well as contact information looking for more information about the implementation, can be found at the City of Belleville’s website.
