Community Transit Solutions Guestbook

Community Transit Solutions

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25 Jul 2008 (Fri) @ 5:30am

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Prior Messages

Robert McDonald	23 Jul 2008 (Wed) @ 3:32pm
We have received confirmation regarding a meeting which CTS and LCT have been invited to meet with representatives from area municipalities and Thom Transport to further discuss commuter transit. The meeting will take place on August 12 at 2:00 pm in the Carleton Place Town Hall. *********** Look for further updates following the meeting.

Robert McDonald	21 Jul 2008 (Mon) @ 8:44am
It wasn't in last week's Canadian (unless I missed it).

Andrew	18 Jul 2008 (Fri) @ 3:38pm
Did Wynn Polnicky's letter get printed? I don't get the Canadian.

Robert McDonald

16 Jul 2008 (Wed) @ 10:51am

This is the prepared Script which Mr. Wynn Polnicky made reference to in the posting below: ******************************Remarks from W. Polnicky to Carleton Place Town Council. A vision for the future of Carleton Place is critical. Your strategic vision document, of May 15 last year, refers to and I quote, a ‘desire to have strong public transportation within the town and to Ottawa’ and states as a potential obstacle, and again I quote, ‘a lack of clear vision and a lack of leadership’ I believe that what is absent is that vision. That is evident in the ‘answers’ to the issue of transit in that document, which suggest the best response is the administrative process that has produced nothing more than a feasibility study, and interminable delay, nothing more of value. If I was a cynic, I would suggest that the objective was to do nothing, and that that objective has been achieved. But it hasn’t made the problem go away, or made go away that annoying 75-80 per cent of the working, and voting, population that lives in but works outside of Carleton Place. The 21st century has arrived; it does no good to try to ignore the forces beyond our control. Carleton Place can either try to shape the future to its benefit, or continue to bury its head in the sand. Wilfully ignoring the demonstrated desire for and benefit of transit is simply burying your heads in the sand. I presented a letter with a petition attached to you in September of 2006, shortly after Thom doubled their fares and reduced their service. I asked, on behalf of those who signed that petition, for assistance in developing reasonable and practical solutions. Now, I’m a reasonable man, and not an overly impatient one, BUT…What have you done in the intervening 21 months? Bureaucracy – studies, meetings, letters, … Good grief. I was at the presentation of the feasibility study, which made the case for the viability of a self-funding, municipally administered transit system. Why, oh why, has it not been actioned? We do not want more administration, we want action. We want a better transit system. MAKE IT HAPPEN. And sole-sourcing Thom is not the answer. Thom can do whatever they choose right now precisely BECAUSE they are the sole provider of transit; they have a monopoly without any regulation of prices or of schedule or of routes. Going cap in hand to a monopoly business is not the way to serve the taxpayers. Everyone would gain with a self-funding, competitively bid, municipally administered transit system. Property values in CP would increase, more people would consider moving here so the town would have more growth options, more people (the retired, students) would consider staying here because of better access to hospitals and colleges, provincial subsidies would be available, OC Transpo bus lanes and tickets could be more easily arranged. The system could be executed by a private contractor but administered by government. The solution is evident. The net cost would be NOTHING. I urge you to GET ON WITH IT.

Robert McDonald

16 Jul 2008 (Wed) @ 10:48am

This is a copy of a letter sent to the Carleton Place Canadian on July 11, 2008 by Wynn Polnicky *********************************************** Fellow Citizens of Carleton Place; On 20 September, 2006, I submitted a petition signed by the Thom Transport commuter bus ridership to various elected and civic officials and groups, with a copy to our own town council, asking for an examination of “the possibilities of organizing and coordinating some more efficient form of transit to and from Ottawa to Carleton Place and its environs without prejudice to any form or possibility of providing such service.” Shortly afterward, I was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, and was unable to follow up. On my return to Carleton Place in 2007, I learned that a feasibility study was underway to obtain an unbiased evaluation of mass transit from Carleton Place. The study was completed in July of 2007 and stated clearly that a municipally administered but not for profit self-funding transit system was viable, and could be operated at almost 30% less cost per passenger, with more runs and more convenient routes (including to Kanata). As well, such a municipally administered system could have access to OC Transpo bus lanes (thus reducing transit times considerably) and to provincial gas tax credits. The feasibility study can be found at http://www.communitytransitsolutions.ca/DocSurveys.shtml. Based on that report, I expected to see results. Alas, almost two years after having submitted my petition, it appears that nothing much has happened. This in spite of the fact that such a transit service should be self-funding. In the meantime, the Moore house has been moved across from Town Hall, the new day care is being built beside Arklan School, and the latest ‘Canadian’ reported that $200,000 of taxpayer money has been spent to purchase a building on Bridge Street in order to convert it into 8 parking spaces. Now, these may all be worthy projects, and I do not mean to disparage any of them, but it seems painfully obvious to me that a transit system asking for NO money (other than insuring against the risk that the service will fail) should have at least as high a priority for the voters and taxpayers of Carleton Place. After all, three-quarters of the working population of Carleton Place works outside of town. And, as the feasibility study notes, transit services are typically municipally regulated. A municipally administered but rider-funded transit service would benefit everyone – Carleton Place would grow, property values would increase, people would consider staying in Carleton Place even if they need access to such ‘big city’ services as colleges and hospitals, local businesses would benefit since people taking transit instead of driving would come home and shop instead of stopping off at a mall in Ottawa. This is a scenario in which no one would lose. It is worthy of note that other outlying communities around Ottawa have successful, municipally administered, transit services, notably Clarence-Rockland. In spite of Clarence-Rockland’s subsidies to their transit service (which Carleton Place should not emulate) their property taxes are lower than those here. So why has nothing happened? After the last two years of apparent inaction, I took my frustration to the Carleton Place town council on 3 June using a prepared script which I have included separately. The responses that I received there had to do with risk management and bureaucratic, ‘process’ difficulties. Well, with all due respect to our elected leaders, doing nothing itself involves risk. The greatest risk to Carleton Place, as I see it, is that we will be overrun by the forces of the 21st century. All we can do is try and shape those forces to make Carleton Place into the town we want, rather than allowing great, impersonal forces make it into just another misshapen, haphazardly developed, ‘community.’ An important part of that shaping is the intelligent, decisive, and prudent creation of a municipally administered transit service. Yes, that will require the making of a decision and a certain amount of political and moral courage. But such is the nature of life in an ever-changing world. If the leadership of Carleton place so chooses, a contract could be signed with a bus company to provide municipally-administered transit service between Carleton Place and Ottawa/Kanata and be in place within weeks or months. Why has no action been taken? Wynn Polnicky

Robert McDonald	16 Jul 2008 (Wed) @ 9:25am
Representatives of Carleton Place Municipal Council met with representatives of Transport Thom a short time ago to discuss the transit situation in our area. I'm hoping that a short summary of this meeting will be made available on this site.

Robert McDonald	5 Jun 2008 (Thu) @ 9:55am
For those wishing to access furhter discussion on the Transit initiative, you should follow this link: http://www.carletonplace.com/forum/index.aro?VID=14-12899 If you want to add your comments to the thread you will have to register with the site (it's free).

Cliff Neudorf	5 Jun 2008 (Thu) @ 8:38am
A small correction to the article below, the reference to Thom should changed as follows: "Ask Thom if you disagree because they have tried and have been unable to gain access."

Cliff Neudorf

5 Jun 2008 (Thu) @ 8:32am

While I attended the community affairs meeting last Tuesday night. As Robert reports below the sitting council has voted to meet with Thom (the existing service provider) some time toward the end of this month, the intent presumably being to discuss contracting Thom. It remains to be seen what will be achieved through such a meeting, although dialogue is always good. What is not good is a contract with Thom or anybody else and no regulations in place to permit the town to regulate the service provider. Also at the meeting, it was confirmed that council seems not to have received the "Way Forward" document which we worked on. It will be resent to the individual attention of the council members. I have posted the document on this site under DOCUMENTS/SURVEY DOCUMENTS. You may down load it there. http://www.communitytransitsolutions.ca/ If anybody reads the document and has questions please fire away, I'd be pleased to provide answers for you or try to get them if I don’t have them. Of note: At the meeting and in the documentation there is an apparent misunderstanding within our collective mindsets concerning the makeup and values of "Private Transit" versus "Public Transit" and why we need public transit. People tend to automatically think that Public Transit is a transit system that automatically entails heavy subsidization through the tax base and thus unneeded negativity is directed at the project we are trying to create. In terms of the LCT and the CTS approach this could not be further from the truth. We absolutely need Public Transit in order to assure access to the 417 bus lanes, the NCC parkway and OC Transpo bus lanes and the OC-Transpo monthly pass system and finally to the Federal gas tax rebate program (managed by the province). There is a sum of money which is currently unclaimed by Carleton Place, Mississippi Mills and Beckwith and which is currently being spent on our behalf in places such as Kingston, Ottawa and Toronto for their Public Transit systems. Persons out there who think we can achieve access without having public transit are blowing smoke. Ask Thom if you disagree because they have tried and have been able to gain access. Also at the meeting we had a classic case of what I can only characterize as being CP NIMBY-itis, there was a call for no taxes to be used for any transit system. We need somehow to quantify and to publicize where transit would fit into the municipal tax base and how it compares to other “funded” projects that we support at the municipal level. Anybody have ideas on this?

Robert McDonald

4 Jun 2008 (Wed) @ 2:34pm

The Community Issues Committee, during their June 03, 2008 meeting, indicated that they have initiated talks with neighbouring municipalities to determine the level of support these communities are willing to provide in relationship to a local Transit System. It appears that council does not have much confidence in the information that has been submitted to them by Lanark Community Transit (LCT), Community Transit Solutions (CTS) and the Feasibility Study produced by Bronson Consulting, concerning ridership, potential operating costs of a transit system, and current level of services being provided, After some 21 months, during which time Lanark Community Transit (LCT) and Community Transit Solutions (CTS) have: • had meetings with the Town of Carleton Place, Mississippi Mills, Beckwith, Smiths Falls, and at the County level to discuss the need for a Transit system for our area. • have made presentations to the Town of Carleton Place, Mississippi Mills, Beckwith, Smiths Falls, and at the County level outlining the possible options available to us as commuters and the associated costs associated with each option. • At the request of different municipal bodies, we have modified our figures to accommodate different scenarios suggested by these bodies. And were later criticized for being inconsistent with our figures. • Conducted 2 surveys (1 online, the other at a kiosk/booth) to determine if the community is receptive to the idea of a local Transit System. Both revealed that there is strong support for a Transit System in our area. • Hired Bronson Consulting to produce a feasibility study outlining the viability of a Transit System for our area. Monies for this project came from the Valley Heartland Fund (~$15K) and from the town of Carleton Place (~$5K). • Worked with Carleton Place town council to have a public presentation by Clarence Rockland wherein Clarence Rockland was able to detail the steps they went through to establish their successful Transit System. • Sent emails to town councils in the Towns of Carleton Place, Mississippi Mills, Beckwith, Smiths Falls and Perth to elicit support from the individual councils for the establishment of a Transit System for our area. • Applied for funding from the Go Green Fund (which was rejected). After all this effort, we were informed during the June 03, 2008 Community Issues Committee meeting, that we were back at square one. When Mr. Cliff Neudorf (LCT) asked council if they had had time to review a report sent to them on April 15, 2008, he was asked to resend it as the original copy had been ‘misplaced’ and therefore unread. I find it difficult to believe, given the importance of this initiative and the effort expended so far on this initiative, that more care was not taken with the document and thus not a single councilor was able to read the document. One might have thought that an email to Mr. Neudorf would have been sent requesting another copy of the document instead of letting time slip by until the June 03 meeting. We were told that we (LCT and CTS) would be kept posted as to the outcome of the May 22, 2008 meeting between Carleton Place town council and members of neighboring town councils. We found out about the results on the town’s public website. It would have been nice had council afforded us the common courtesy of a heads-up emailing or telephone call in advance of posting the information on their public website. The Mayor indicated that council has a financial responsibility to the tax-payers of Carleton Place to ensure that tax money is not wasted. I could not agree with him more. I won’t mention “The House”. In my opinion, as the transit initiative progresses, it is becoming more and more obvious that tax-payers dollars are going to be used to finance, at least in part, a Transit System in our area. This may be a concern for those that do not want to see tax dollars spent on such an initiative but our tax dollars are being spent on a number of services which not all of us take advantage of. For instance (and correct me if I have made an error here): 1. Our municipal library 2. Our municipal swimming pool 3. Local sports fields 4. Our curling lounge 5. Our day care facilities 6. Our arena 7. Our canoe club 8. The Moore House (~$400K) These are all examples of services which are wholly or in part funded through the use of tax-payers dollars. All of these services are available to every citizen of our community should they decide to make use of them. We all pay a share of the cost of these services whether we use them or not. More talk is not what is needed at this point, someone has to develop a backbone and make a commitment to the citizens of this area in regards to a transit system. Not a day goes by that we do not hear of the rising cost of fuel and the environmental impact on our air quality that all of the vehicles have on the air that we breathe.

Lisa Hanna	2 Jun 2008 (Mon) @ 1:07pm
I am stunned, really. Disappointed is rather kind, sir. Good for you

Robert McDonald	2 Jun 2008 (Mon) @ 12:10am
At the very least, town council should have accorded LCT and CTS (the two citizen's groups spearheading the transit initiative) the courtesy of a headsup emailing or phone call on this announcement instead of us finding out on the town's websit. I am disappointed in the way this was handled.

2 Jun 2008 (Mon) @ 11:37am

On May 22nd apparently some members of CP council met with some representatives of Mississippi Mills, Beckwith and Smiths Falls. They reviewed a report which suggested 2 alternatives that could be explored to improve transit and went on to explain the associated risks. The group then decided it wanted to meet with Mr. Thom. To that end the staff recommend that Mr. Thom be invited to meet with some municipal representatives on June 25th or June 26th. This staff recommendation is to be discussed by the Community Issues Committee at the meeting on June 3rd.

laird

2 Jun 2008 (Mon) @ 10:39am

Robert McDonald	14 May 2008 (Wed) @ 9:30am
Once the town has met with members of LCT and CTS to fill us in on what transpired during the "closed door" sessions, I think that a public meeting would be in order. There have been inquires from a number of people as to the status of this initiative.

Shane	12 May 2008 (Mon) @ 9:21am
Would there be any interest in setting up another public meeting(s) before the summer? To advise people of the status of the project and the next steps the public has to do.

Cliff Neudorf

9 May 2008 (Fri) @ 6:46pm

Further to my comments below, at this time we need each other to start phoning and talking to our councillors, stating your needs and why they as Councillors not only need to be publicly seen as supporting this issue but also that they need to actively involved with LCT to move this issue forward. It was great news to hear that Beckwith had attended the first closed door session with CP and MM. Not withstanding the funding issues, LCT has drafted a "Way-Forward" document and given it to CP, we understand it has been given to both MM and BW as well. This document shows that at a very nominal cost, (what CP has budgeted in annual support fees,) we could proceed to the stage of identifying our service provider and putting in place all the necessary municipal bylaws and access agreements. This would have the Councillors taking over majority control of the LCT Board and would well position us to access further grants when they come available. In addition, it would position us to pursue risk mitigation stratgies with the service provider. So please start calling your coucillors and get involved.

Cliff Neudorf

9 May 2008 (Fri) @ 6:29pm

My apologies for being remiss in not updating this page. The results of the Ontario Go Green Fund application were negative. I phoned to follow up on went wrong with the application and was advised that although we had made a strong presentation, (we lost points in a couple of minor areas) there was a major roadblock in that our critical path analysis relied on agreements yet to be obtained between ourselves and govermental bodies. The OGGF people felt that these agreements could not be obtained in the time frame for which the funding would be allocated. This is catch 22, (we can't get funding unless we have the agreements in place and we can't get the agreements with the direct participation of the Municipal bodies on the Board of LCT.) Since this decision, Carleton Place representatives in the form of councillors and staff have met (at the request of Mississippi Mills Councillors and staff) with MM and Councillors of Beckwith to determine a direction going forward with transit. This was a closed door session and neither LCT not CTS was invited to attend. I understand that the meeting was positive with respect to have a transit system established. I also understand that there was agreement to hold second closed meeting at which Smiths Falls, and the other Lanark County municipalities would be invited. LCT looks forward to hearing of the results of that meeting.

Robert McDonald	9 May 2008 (Fri) @ 7:58am
We have had a response from the Ontario Community Go Green Fund and I am hoping that Cliff will provide a update on this site for those who have been inquiring about the status of the Transit initiative.

TEST	8 May 2008 (Thu) @ 10:01am
TEST Only

	14 Mar 2008 (Fri) @ 9:43am
http://tmagroup.org/trolley/general_information.php

	17 Jan 2008 (Thu) @ 1:27pm
Will there be any meetings of LCT Transit Committee before the decision is received?

Cliff Neudorf

12 Jan 2008 (Sat) @ 3:36pm

LCT has completed the application for funding under the Ontario Community Go Green Fund. As the basis of that application we needed to show the benefits that a transit system would bring to the community in terms of measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and help Ontario achieve its greenhouse gas reduction targets. The areas of interest or mechanisms that we would be measured against include 1) provision of outreach and education, 2) promoting long term behavioural change and 3) direct action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. LCT believes that we have quite adequately met all of these objectives and we have submitted a very sound project. However as this is a competitive process and there is a limited amount of money available for the grants we recognize that will be many good projects and that the work of the committee who select the elegible projects will be a challenge. The annoucement of the successful applications should be made during the 3rd or 4th week of February. Till then, I guess we must keep our fingers crossed.

Robert McDonald	21 Dec 2007 (Fri) @ 3:27pm
I would like to take a moment to thank all those who I have been working alongside of on the transit initiative over the past year and to wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! With any kind of luck we'll be rewarded for our efforts.

20 Dec 2007 (Thu) @ 8:35am

The following was passed in the motion: 1) That the Town of Carleton Place support LCT in its application for funding under the Ontario Community Go Green Fund, and 2) That the Town of Carleton Place provide LCT with a letter of confirmation as required by the Community Go Green Fund no later than January 08, 2008 to go with the application. This letter will outlive the Town of Carleton Place's commitment to this commuter transit initiative, and 3) That the Town of Carleton Place will seek, through a formal letter to neighbouring municipalities, the direct involvement of those municipalities in the operation of a transit system.

18 Dec 2007 (Tue) @ 1:42pm

Tonight Carleton Place will address transit at one of their committees, unfortunately I do not have the committee name. I understand that the issue will be addressed at approximately 7:00 PM. This is a crucial meeting and I urge that all who make it please be there and bring a friend to help support. We will be trying to decide if Carleton Place will support the establishment of a Carleton Place only transit system which would be open to other jurisdictions should they subsequently decide to be involved.

14 Dec 2007 (Fri) @ 1:58pm

Lanark County was given a golden opportunity last Wednesday to help create a public transit system for its residents. However it appears that County Council has refused to take advantage of that opportunity to take the lead on developing a responsive community transit system in Lanark County. I am sure everyone who was left by the side of the road last Thursday morning will be happy to hear that County Council thinks private enterprise offers a better alternative for its residents. Now it will be up to the local municipalities to take up the challenge.

	10 Dec 2007 (Mon) @ 11:11am
Please note the issue of the County's role is to be discussed at the County's committee on Wednesday December 12th. Please contact the County Council office for the exact time.

Robert McDonald	3 Dec 2007 (Mon) @ 11:09am
For those of you who work in Gatineau, the Perth bus now ends it's route in Gatineau. We now have a direct ride to Gatineau in the morning, no need to transfer to OC or walk across the bridges.

Robert McDonald	3 Dec 2007 (Mon) @ 11:07am
Unfortunately I believe he was refering to high speed internet services.

	1 Dec 2007 (Sat) @ 9:34am
County Warden Al Lunney says improved service will help the county remain competitive and attractive to investors and residents. "We are excited about this opportunity to partner with the private sector and with local municipalities to provide a service that clearly improves quality of life for our citizens."

	21 Nov 2007 (Wed) @ 12:11am
NOVEMBER 21st, 2007 - MEETING AT 7:00pm at 103 Judson Street - All Welcome.

Shane	17 Nov 2007 (Sat) @ 11:34am
A meeting is being organized to update everyone on the efforts being made to advance this project.Keep visiting the website for confirmation of that meeting.

	13 Nov 2007 (Tue) @ 10:04am
http://www.carletonplace.ca/admin/docs/uploads/November_13_2007_Agenda.pdf

Shane	11 Nov 2007 (Sun) @ 12:33am
If you check this week's Mississippi Weekender the Municipal Matters section for Carleton Place on p39 includes a request for people to indicate their interest in participating in local committees. One of the options is a Transit committee.

Shane	31 Oct 2007 (Wed) @ 2:51pm
No Meeting for Halloween! Sorry for the late notice but with Halloween trick or treaters about tonight it was decided it would be better to postpone tonight's meeting. If you have any questions please email me.

Shane	21 Oct 2007 (Sun) @ 2:52pm
Community Transit Solutions Group can be found on facebook!

Shane	21 Oct 2007 (Sun) @ 10:19am
We need to find a volunteer to assist with the management of the website. Experience with Cold Fusion would be helpful

SANDRA

19 Oct 2007 (Fri) @ 4:39pm

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Irene MacQueen

18 Oct 2007 (Thu) @ 2:23pm

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. My issue with OC Transpo was with the 96 & D96 run that leaves from Eagleson. I said it was no problem getting downtown, but coming back, one is lucky if they can get a seat on the bus. Councillor Wilkenson and the OC Planner were well aware of this problem. The OC Planner was also aware of the group from Carleton Place. He said that they would help any group that got together with the bus passes. I also mentioned that in the very beginning, Sept. 2006 when I originally contact the Mayor one option I brought up to him was possibly trying to get OC Transpo coming up to Upper Dwyer Hill. That would save a lot of headaches and make things much easier for commuters. Anyway, since that Meeting on Oct. 4/2007, I have been taking my car to work for personal reasons, and I just happen to take the bus back to Eagleson and on both occasions there were the accordian buses. What a treat, getting a seat. I am hoping this continues and will keep you posted.

Shane	5 Oct 2007 (Fri) @ 6:13am
I was wondering what the OC representatives thought about your suggestion.

Irene MacQueen

4 Oct 2007 (Thu) @ 10:22am

Representatives from OC Transpo were at the Terry Fox Park and Ride this morning looking for comments and/or suggestions to improve ridership. I spoke with one of the muncipal politicians and OC planners to provide input about one of the routes I take. When asked about where I was coming from, the planner started talking about the Rockland Transit. Highway 174 which goes to Rockland is a City owned highway and that is why the Rockland Transit can use the bus lanes. According to the planner, the mayor of Rockland uses the Rockland Transit 4 days a week to go to his regular job in Ottawa and spends the other day in Rockland as mayor. Highway 417 west is owned by the province. OC Transpo does not have any jurisdiction to allow Transpo Thom or any other bus lines to use the bus lanes on this highway. If and when there is a commuter service from Lanark County/Carleton Place to downtown Ottawa - the service provider will have to get permission from the provincial government to use these bus lanes. In my opinion, I support commuter bus service to the Eagleson Park and Ride which would avoid having to get the permission from the Provincial Government for the 417 bus lanes. It would be more cost effective to have a transit to the Park and Ride in Kanata.

Shane	3 Oct 2007 (Wed) @ 8:41am
Please note that there is an all candidates meeting tonight in Carleton Place and that there is NO CTS meeting tonight.

LanarkCommuters	27 Sep 2007 (Thu) @ 8:34pm
Bob, the bug to which you referred to on LanarkCommuters.ca has been fixed. I agree with Shane: this (and other) carpooling websites are only as good as long as they are being populated and updated by the users. Having said that, please spread the word about LanarkCommuters so that it does remain a relevent service.

Shane

27 Sep 2007 (Thu) @ 2:49pm

Bob, The LanarkCommuters site is relatively new and in order to be effective there has to be sufficient "traffic" to make it worthwhile. I had posted on the Eco-perth site some time ago and did not get a single response. I recently posted on the LanarkCommuters site and have not had a response. I find the lack of any response surprising since there are thousands of people working in the same building and a number must be from Lanark County.

Bob	26 Sep 2007 (Wed) @ 5:00pm
Shane, thanks for the link to LanarkCommuters - I hadn't found that site previously. A big problem is there isn't a single definitive carpool site. It's very hit & miss, and neither of the two local sites I've found (LanarkCommuters and EcoPerth) has much traffic. Also LanarkCommuters has bugs such that so far I haven't succeeded in using the site's function to contact a potential match.

Eric	25 Sep 2007 (Tue) @ 2:14pm
As a resident of Beckwith I would like to know if there will be a route through Beckwith with park and rides in Beckwith at reasonable locations.

Shane Edwards

22 Sep 2007 (Sat) @ 11:43pm

The feasibility study suggests that the percentage of commuters using the bus service would be between 5% and 10%. That leaves 90% or more who would, for various reasons, be travelling alone in their cars or in a carpool. Even with the advantages of a bus service a lot of people would choose to drive their own car. There is a carpool website at http://www.LanarkCommuters.ca for those who want to make that kind of arrangement. Currently though over 80% of commuters drive alone despite the advantage of sharing the driving in a carpool. As far as the total cost of driving one's own car I understand that the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) figures for the cost of owning and driving a car may be even higher than indicated in the feasibility study.

Bob

22 Sep 2007 (Sat) @ 10:32pm

Just had a look at the feasibility study. As a potential user of the service from Tay Valley Twp. to Kanata I'm a bit disappointed with the projected fares and transit times. Compared to driving solo it looks like it may be only marginally attractive. Carpooling with just one other person would be much better. The cost estimates for driving are flawed in my opinion since taking a bus does not mean I would stop owning a car. Maybe what we really need is a better way to hook up carpools...

Shane	22 Sep 2007 (Sat) @ 12:40am
Hi Irene, I did respond via email using the last email address you had provided.

Irene MacQueen

21 Sep 2007 (Fri) @ 11:14am

I am very disappointed that no one from your group has responded to my question - are you still having meetings? Do you still want volunteers or help? Another concern I have is why are LCT members - who have established their own group in the Spring and also at Council Meeting - in May 2007 - when Council wanted to shelve the CTS group - and just work with LCT - why are they still listed as spokespersons for CTS? I was under the impression that CTS was operating at arm's length with LCT. This is very confusing for me, can you please explain the roles of the Executive membership of CTS and also LCT? Regards, Irene PS - are you still having weekly meetings, if not, please let me and the rest of the CTS ridership know.

Irene MacQueen

19 Sep 2007 (Wed) @ 12:22am

I would like to attend your next OPEN meeting with CTS to find out what the roles are with LCT and the Transit Communittee (Town Council Members) and to see if I can be of assistance with the CTS in any way. Your web page states that there are meetings held quite frequently at Judson Street - can you confirm if there will be one tonight. Also, there doesn't appear to be any phone numbers for people to contact you directly. Some of my neighbours do not have access to a computer and I am wondering how they can contact you. Look forward to seeing you tonight. Regards Irene

Brent Eades	15 Sep 2007 (Sat) @ 6:03pm
In most of Europe, trains from outlying areas to the nearest city are completely commonplace. Even in Toronto they are. If I could take a train (or fast bus) from Almonte to my office in downtown Ottawa each day, on a flexible schedule and at a reasonable cost, I would far rather do that than drive my car every day. (My only real option at present.)

Shane	9 Sep 2007 (Sun) @ 7:10am
Newspaper reports, webpages, flyers, button campaign only seem to reach a few people. Does anyone have any ideas about how to reach a large number of county residents with our message?

Shane	6 Sep 2007 (Thu) @ 1:10pm
MISSISSIPPI MILLS COUNCIL - Reviewing the feasibility study tonight - September 6th at 7:30pm.

Cliff	30 Aug 2007 (Thu) @ 8:56pm
Correction, it is in the Documents area, under survey results.

Cliff	30 Aug 2007 (Thu) @ 8:55pm
This is let everybody that the Bronson Consulting Group feasibility study has been posted in the above survey area. If you have not seen it please take a read give us an email if you have any questions or need clarification of any points within it.

Shane	30 Aug 2007 (Thu) @ 1:27pm
To get things started - I saw a button in Temptations on Bridge Street in Carleton Place yesterday, August 29, 2007.

Shane	30 Aug 2007 (Thu) @ 1:25pm
Please write in if you see our "I Support Community Transit Solutions" buttons out in public. Let us know how wide spread the message is. Thanks.

Shane	24 Aug 2007 (Fri) @ 10:22am
CHECK OUT THE CANADIAN AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH THE AVERAGE CAR COSTS: http://www.caa.ca/pdf/2007-04-27%20DrivingCostsBrochure2007.pdf

Shane	22 Aug 2007 (Wed) @ 6:21am
We have begun our button campaign. Please let us know if you see the buttons supporting Community Transit Solutions in your community. Let us know if you need to see more buttons in your community

Shane	3 Aug 2007 (Fri) @ 9:57am
PUBLIC MEETING - AUGUST 16th, 2007 7:00pm - at the Arena in Carleton Place - This meeting will review the status so far of the project and the next steps that are to be taken. -- PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ENCOURAGE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE TO TURN OUT

	30 Jul 2007 (Mon) @ 12:41am
Any information about the status of the new commuter proposal for Carleton Place

Shane	20 Jul 2007 (Fri) @ 1:48pm
Any one from Montague Township interested in a commuter bus service? I understand that the local council does not feel that there is sufficient interest from commuters living in Montague.

Robert McDonald

18 Jul 2007 (Wed) @ 9:40am

Just a quick recap of this past weekend's activities at the "Art of Being Green" festival..... a lot of interest was shown in a transit solution for Lanark County. Over 100 surveys were filled in over the course of the two days. Numerous other people (from outside the county) offered their support and encouragement. I would like to thank Barbara Ann McDonald (2 days), Cliff Neudorf,and Jim Reimer for their help in manning the booth. Apart from having over 100 surveys filled out, we also came away with the names of 4 new volunteers. All in all it was a very positive/encouraging weekend for the transit initiative in Lanark County.

Robert McDonald

29 Jun 2007 (Fri) @ 10:55am

Looking for volunteers ..... We will have a presence at the Art of Being Green Festival which is being held on the weekend of July 14 and 15 in Lanark Village. By having a table at the festival, we will be able to provide the visiters of the festival (who will be made up, in part, of Lanark County citizens) the opportunity to fill out our surveys and give us some input regarding the transit initiative. If you are interested in helping out for a couple of hours, please contact me through this website or at rwmcdonald@gmail.com

Shane	22 Jun 2007 (Fri) @ 10:16pm
Good article in the EMC this weekend about the "opening" of the office on Bridge Street in Carleton Place.

Robert McDonald	22 Jun 2007 (Fri) @ 10:54am
As luck will have it, I will not be in town this weekend, so 126 Bridge st will not be open on Saturday as planned. I will be at 126 Bridge during the week of June 26 through Saturday June 31.

Robert McDonald	19 Jun 2007 (Tue) @ 1:57pm
This coming Saturday, June 23, the doors will be open once again at 126 Bridge Street and we will be encouraging people to come in and fill out our followup survey. We had a few people drop in last Saturday and gave us some very positive feedback. Hope to see you all there.

B.H.	16 Jun 2007 (Sat) @ 4:39pm
Please do not get the town involved. Have they ever been involved in a successful project? They may have good ideas but they never seem to follow through and they never admit making a mistake.

Robert McDonald	15 Jun 2007 (Fri) @ 10:20am
This Saturday, June 16, at 126 Bridge St. we will be encouraging people to come in and fill out a followup survey which will enable us to gather additional information which will compliment the data collected with our online survey. This additional information will be used to help determine possible routes, frequency of trips, and timing of the trips.

Robert McDonald	6 Jun 2007 (Wed) @ 10:52am
Hi Shane, 2037 - just in time for me to celebrate my 86th birthday, what a wonderful present. :-D

Shane	6 Jun 2007 (Wed) @ 10:42am
No need to worry. Ottawa will solve Carleton Place's transit issues by the year 2037 - http://www.moving-ottawa.ca/downloads/2037-english.pdf

Debbie

4 Jun 2007 (Mon) @ 1:08pm

A year ago I was forced to transfer with my job to Ottawa from the Kingston area. The reason I picked Carleton Place to move to was for the fact it had a bus service to Ottawa, I also like the area but my deciding factor was the bus service. It was a huge secret that there was bus service, even the local real estate did not know about it but I had heard from a friend that there was a bus service to Ottawa. I know that there are people at my place of work that live in CP and Perth area that were not aware of the bus service, and now that they do the current price for the service has caused them to continue to drive. I am thrilled that we have a committee in place and I commend all of you for the hard work you have done. I look forward to a favourable solution in the near future.

Robert McDonald	4 Jun 2007 (Mon) @ 11:00am
I've been taking the OC 96 Bus from the Terry Fox Park-n-Ride for a couple of weeks now, and I too am spending approx. 15 hours a week going to and from Gatineau.

Shane	3 Jun 2007 (Sun) @ 9:06am
On average, how much time a week do you spend travelling from home to work and back? Door to door I probably spend 15 hours a week (when the weather is good).

B.H.

31 May 2007 (Thu) @ 12:06am

If the transit service could offer students and seniors a monthly rate of $75 and regular commuters a rate of $150 per month it might require the town to subsidize the rates but then the ridership would increase dramatically. I bet more people would benefit from a good bus service than do from the arena, pool and day care combined. The question is what are the priorities for the town itself as a whole not for any individual who may or may not use a particular service.

Shane	30 May 2007 (Wed) @ 2:56pm
The Mississippi Mills Residents' Associaiton is having its Annual General Meeting tonight - May 30th, 2007 at the Almonte Old Town Hall, Auditorium. The theme is Dialogue Towards and Inheritable Community - 2010. Is there any chance the issue of community transit will be discussed?

	21 May 2007 (Mon) @ 8:47am
Just like to say that I like the new look. It is far easier to read.

Robert McDonald

17 May 2007 (Thu) @ 1:33pm

In this week's issue of the Carleton Place Canadian (May 15) there is a piece entitled "Residents hear of changes to draft strategic plan" one paragraph which caught my attention in particular, reads - For transit there is no consensus on whether Carleton Place should have a transit system either in town or one that goes to Ottawa. McSweeney said the two sides are split rather evenly. He recommends the town figure out how much of a demand there is for this service before proceding. - This would indicate that there still is not enough talk on the streets about this issue. Our work seems to be cut out for us in that regard. I hope that there is a good turn out for the May 26 get-to-gether.

Shane	15 May 2007 (Tue) @ 10:29am
TEST

Shane	9 May 2007 (Wed) @ 5:56am
NOTICE - Effective May 14th - the Perth Bus will not pass through Carleton Place in the morning

Robert McDonald

1 May 2007 (Tue) @ 9:28am

General info - Just finished speaking with a representative from Thom Transport, and I've been informed that there will be NO morning connection for those who work in Gatineau. We will have to, as she said, fend for ourselves. We have two options to get to Gatineau,take the no. 8 bus or walk. With the summer approaching, walking is not that bad an option. The afternoon commute is different in that the Perth bus starts it's run from the POrtage buildings in Gatineau. It makes me wonder though, why the morning run and afternoon runs do not follow the same route.

Clarissa

30 Apr 2007 (Mon) @ 2:09pm

Although Ian's tone (and language) is too harsh, I have to agree with his sentiment. Frank, I am sure that CTS is keen on receiving our comments, but demanding things like "We need something better in 3 days" is unfair to ask a panel of volunteers who have (presumably) a day job and are not in a position to "make things happen" overnight. I'm a single mom holding down two jobs (thank heavens for grandma's) since Thom has increased fares and am looking forward to some relief. But I can't ask these people to make it happen now when they don't have the authority or power to do so. Katherine, it is equally unfair to poke holes at this panel's arguments like they have some secret agenda. Maybe these faux pas were accidental. Ian's crass vocabulary is really no worse than the supervisor-subordinate tone that your messages read. I think Robert said it best when he said that we are ALL doing what we can to make it happen. Perhaps we just shouldn't be so hard on each other.

Ian	29 Apr 2007 (Sun) @ 1:31pm
Well, whatever. You're clearly missing the point. I just hope that when this becomes a success that you all praise this group as much as you have criticized.

Frank

29 Apr 2007 (Sun) @ 1:24pm

There have been about 473 surveys completed. And CTS set up this forum. I assumed they were interested in what the other 464 people were thinking about community transit. I am not sure why Ian takes this so personally when none of the 9 members of CTS seem to be as concerned. Robert seems to prove the point that there are other people supporting this process in other ways than directly through CTS.

Ian

29 Apr 2007 (Sun) @ 12:02am

Robert, good for you for your support (seriously, that was not meant to be sarcastic in any way). However, you only make my point: you seem clearly annoyed with my implication that you've done nothing...perhaps the same should be thought when people grill these guys on their work to date. CTS is NOT employed by anyone of the public (correct?), they are not an elected council...they are trying to help and it is unfair for people like Katherine and Frank to be grilling them like they are on some board of inquiry. I stand by what I said...if you don't like what they're doing, do it yourself. But they have zero, ZERO, rights to demand explanations of the CTS people, nor spread rumours about them (referring to the beaurocrat comment).

Shane

29 Apr 2007 (Sun) @ 7:53am

Hello Katherine, You do raise some interesting point but to be honest most of those had been raised by other people during meetings over the past 7 months and most were satisfactorily addressed. The focus on creating a viable commuter service has never wavered. The persons participating regularly in CTS have devoted a lot of time and have welcomed and considered numerous proposals since coming together. Our perspective has been guided by that process and as I have said at several public meetings CTS members have been living and breathing the topic of public transit for many months. As a result we are very familiar with the issues and available options. You, as is anyone, are welcome to participate at any time and in virtually any way you see fit but I am sure you would agree that the group cannot start at square one every time a new member joins. I do not want to discourage you from being involved as Cliff as said we need more people to participate in this process. We were only given 10 minutes for the presentation to County Council. The written presentation was given with an oral presentation and if you had been in attendance I believe you would see that in fact the larger amounts were part of a business plan exercise to show a business that offered commuter bus service to Ottawa would be viable without public monies. That calculation was intended to show a sustainable enterprise which we believe would only be better with local government support. When you throw out numbers without analysis it is confusing for others who may not be familiar with the situation. I would suggest that you send me or any of the member of CTS an email if you have particular questions (see contact page for email address). It may be premature to discuss exact routes but CTS will be conducting a further survey to determine where people need to be picked up and where they need to go. The nature of that survey has to be determined in order to ensure that we obtain accurate useful data. Your help in designing the survey or in getting it out to the public would be welcome. Everyone should realize that it is unlikely the bus service being envisioned will begin start on day one of operation meeting every commuters needs. That will have to be developed over time. In Clarence Rockland they started with 70 riders and had to build to the current level of riders and routes. As a practical matter the people who can walk to the commuter bus and work in downtown Ottawa are the most easily served. This does not mean that the service is only about them. Differential rates may seem like a reasonable option but remember if you want to travel on OC from the Rideau Centre to 240 Sparks you pay the same $3 as someone traveling from Orleans to Kanata. Without prejudging it I would suggest that once the service is in place the economics of the situation will determine how the rates will ultimately be set. And with all due respect you appear to assume that most people have a car at their disposal so that hopping on a bus at the Carp Road or Terry Fox or Eagleson park and ride is an option. This is not the case. Many families only have one car and they have to have public transit accessible right from home to work. I would also like to say that I cannot believe that a councilor who has been informed of the CTS objectives would have said that the CTS was only made up of bureaucrats who would accomplish nothing. Being a local politician is, for the most part a thankless job, and to make a comment like indicate that they are prepared to waste their time, and the time of othersm suggesting that they have no respect for the residents and perhaps even less for their position and themselves. Again I urge you and anyone else to feel free to contact CTS and participate as much as you are able to help realize our shared goal.

Robert McDonald

28 Apr 2007 (Sat) @ 3:48pm

Ian - WOW!! "do-nothing people" - "get off your lazy asses" ... Boy you sure know how to raise a few eyebrows. I can only speak for myself when I say that I HAVE participated in several meetings where town council was involved and other meetings that can not be classified as actual town council meetings. I HAVE written letters to voice my concerns over the need for a transit solution for Carleton Place and area. I HAVE spoken with local politicians. So I think you were a bit off the mark with your comments. And if I may take the liberty of saying a couple of words regarding "Kathrine", she has been more involved than anyone else I know of , save for a couple of members of the CTS committee, in trying to generate attention to the issue of a local transit solution. And I know she HAS participated in MANY more meetings than I. So before you sharpen your tongue a spew out more of your insulting comments, please consider that there are others in this community whose names do not appear in the paper every week who are none the less doing their part in trying to bring a viable solution to our transit woes ih the Carleton Place area. Regards, Robert McDonald

Shane	28 Apr 2007 (Sat) @ 11:58am
Anyone should free to post their comments and concerns to this forum. It is true that your comments will have more credibility if you have participated in the process. However if you want to participate and can respect the other people participating that is all that is expected in this forum. My email is Shane.Edwards@communitytransitsolutions.ca

Shane	28 Apr 2007 (Sat) @ 11:55am
Ian - Just to be clear, if you read my comment again you will see that no one asked you to move from your position.

Ian	28 Apr 2007 (Sat) @ 10:22am
Sorry, Shane, but I won't move from my position: don't look a gift horse in the mouth. You can't ask people to solve your problem for you and then complain because they're not doing their job up to your expectations. If you are going to rely on them to solve your problem, you have to put your trust in them...otherwise do the job yourself

Shane	28 Apr 2007 (Sat) @ 10:14am
Ian - While I appreciate your underlying sentiment I wish you had found a more positive way to express it. Each person will have to judge for themselves how their circumstances influence their capacity or willingness to participate in a project like this.

Shane	28 Apr 2007 (Sat) @ 10:14am
Ian - While I appreciate your underlying sentiment I wish you had found a more positive way to express it. Each person will have to judge for themselves how their circumstances influence their capacity or willingness to participate in a project like this.

Ian

27 Apr 2007 (Fri) @ 10:32pm

I can't believe the whining do-nothing people complaining here. Yes it's horrid that Thom is giving us commuters the shaft. It's killing me financially. I can't wait for something better to replace it. But I think Frank, Katherine and the others below who come on this comments section and complain about what CTS is not doing is pathetic! If you don't think they're doing a good job, get off your lazy asses and call your politician. In fact, write them a letter a day. Write the editors of the paper daily. Take action for yourselves and not get pissy when someone else who is trying to help you is not getting far with the politicians. If it is true that Carleton Place (or any other town) has not helped CTS with money or support, then who the hell are you to critize them: that means they've been spending their free time banging their head against the wall trying to move things forward. What have you guys done? By the way, Katherine, you sound an aweful alike to Irene McQueen.

Katherine

26 Apr 2007 (Thu) @ 10:08am

Questions for both Cliff and Lynda, Presentation at Lanark County Council - April 25/2007: First of all - On Page 9 of 81 - You state that the fees that Carleton Place residents would be charged is $245.00 per month and on Pay 11 of 81 you stated that most of the members of Community Transit would be willing to pay more than $200 per month. Yet on the Survey for CTS web page on page 23 of 56 "the desired fees would be lost if fees for Carleton Place were higher than $175.00 per month" also you are stating that 296 members are from Carleton Place. I believe your numbers are conflicting here. First of all, I am of the opinion that when CTS did their survey one question that should have been asked is what area of Ottawa are you working in. Obviously not all people from Carleton Place work downtown. There are quite a few residents from Carleton Place take their car from Ottawa and use the Park'n'Ride at Terry Fox Drive or Eagleson Road. Given the fact that a monthly bus pass is $73.00 per month and an ECO-Pass is $60.00 a month, why would anyone who goes to the Terry Fox or Eagleson Drive pay and additional $172.00 and $185.00 per month to catch only 2 buses that would be going back to Carleton Place (I feel like I am subsidizing the route to go downtown). It does not make any sense to me. Also, there is nothing in your $245.00 proposal that helps Students or Part-time workers to Ottawa. Your daily $7.50 each way ($15.00 round trip) bus ticket will not cover the other $6.00 (return) OC Bus Pass (which is exactly the same amount that is currently being paid by Transpo Thom. If transporting or increasing the ridership on the 'new' CTS bus schedule, wouldn't it be more practical to have a shuttle bus go from Carleton Place to the Park'n'Ride every 1/2 hour from 6:15 am to 8:15 am and return every half hour at 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm daily. Instead this would make it 4 trips in the morning - at 22 miles to Kanata instead of 2 trips at 34 miles to downtown Ottawa and would also provide better service for a majority of the residents of Carleton Place instead of a select few who require door to door service downtown. I believe Lynda approached Carleton Place Town Council in December 2006 looking for financial relief for Transit Thom when the fees were $200.00 a month and compared it to $120.00. Rockland is only 22 miles to downtown Ottawa, Carleton Place is 34 miles. I would hope that CTS would put this to a vote to all the members before any contracts are signed.

Katherine	26 Apr 2007 (Thu) @ 9:33am
Cliff, After reading your last comment about looking for funds, I am really surprised because I thought that CTS has applied for a $3,000 grant from Carleton Place last November. Are you getting any money from Carleton Place?

Cliff

25 Apr 2007 (Wed) @ 11:17pm

Robert, with respect to the feasibility study we have been told that it would take 10 weeks to complete which is for a full study done from a cold start as I understand it. We have yet to meet with consultents to confirm timelines but we believe we can shorten this time considerably. Two essential elements of that study have already been developed by us, one is the report on the results of the survey that we have been conducting online and the other is a detailed operating budget which we have in a cl final draft format. In addition we have been studying optimized schedules and routes. As we have mentioned below this activity is on target for a fall startup but that is contingent on everything working out. It is critical that everybody help by getting involved, writing letters and making sure that your local politicians are well informed and remain well informed of your concerns and these issues.

Cliff

25 Apr 2007 (Wed) @ 10:57pm

Frank, Catherine we have noted and welcome your input and your suggestions of our performance but we do not see any suggestions concerning what you believe can be accomplished to meet your immediate needs. More importently we would like to see your involvement in directly helping out, even financial donations would be good. We are all volunteers and all of this is being funded through donations by your companion bus riders. We are sorely in need of more people to help raise these issues with our politicians. CTS and LCT are providing a sound and well reasoned direction. We need people like yourselves to provide the impetus that would cause the municipal governments to support us in achieving that direction. You can begin by emailing me through the contact list your phone numbers and then we can discuss more concrete actions that you are prepared to undertake to ensure that this situation gets addressed. One thing for sure, I believe it is necessary that all commuters who are negatively affected by these recent changes need to tell their story, you can start by writing letters or emails to the editor of the Canadian, the Gazette, the Courier and the EMC to ensure that the public is aware of the issues and that we need more action and money to made available at the Municipal levels. Today at Lanark County we were able to get the County Council to support a feasibility study, this group includes all mayors and deputy mayors within Lanark County. I look forward to whatever help you can provide. With best regards.

Lynda

25 Apr 2007 (Wed) @ 10:51pm

We called Thom and were told that it was an error and that the bus was going back to Almonte at night. Please call Thom to verify this. We have an Appleton resident who is representing Mississippi Mills for CTS. We are giving a presentation to MM council on May 8th 7:00pm. It would really help to let your council person know about your situation. We made your Mayor aware of the situation at Lanark County Council tonight where we went to get letters of support to establish a Lanark Commuter service. It went very very well. Your mayor was shocked to hear about the situation. We need a new service and we are aiming for the Fall of 2007. I know that it does not help now. http://ottawacarpool.ca/ridesOffered.php Check this site out. It might help

Jamie	25 Apr 2007 (Wed) @ 1:30pm
If there are 4000 drivers leaving Mississippi Mills every morning they must be coming back at night. How do I get one of them to pick me up for the ride home? ;)

	25 Apr 2007 (Wed) @ 1:24pm
I noticed that there is a Perth representative on the contact list but who is the Almonte contact? As of Monday only a few Almonte people will be able to take the Thom bus if the routes follow the schedule as printed. While it may be possible to get to work getting home will be difficult.

Robert McDonald

25 Apr 2007 (Wed) @ 9:44am

Cliff - You mentioned that the committee's immediate next steps are to complete a feasibility study and develop a formal business plan. Can you give a rough idea how long this process will take? The situation for the current ridership is getting worse by the week. we are all aware of the latest schedule changes which Thom Tranpsport will put into effect next Monday, and the feeling amongst the ridership is that it will only get worse as Summer approaches. Is there not someway that the priority of this initiative can be elevated by town council. Making it a top priority will give the current ridership, and anyone thinking about using the busses, some sense that our dilemma is being taken seriously by town council?

Frank	25 Apr 2007 (Wed) @ 8:47am
I have to agree with Katherine. I need a better solution next MONDAY when the routes are reduced not next year when it suits some committee.

Katherine

24 Apr 2007 (Tue) @ 2:12pm

Cliff this is all fine and dandy but what about what is going on right now. It's already been 7 1/2 months since Thom Bus Lines has increased its' fares. Next week we are seeing a decrease of 2 buses service and those riders who work at Revnue Canada at Heron & Riverside Drive now have to pay an additional $4.00 per day plus try to get downtown in order to get a drive home. In my opinion your group seems to be doing a great job of forming more committees and making other municipalities aware of the need for transit. However the majority of the commuters are from Carleton Place. If you cannot get ALL the Councillors from Carleton Place on board, how do you expect to get Lanark, Mississippi Mills, Perth, Beckwith Township on board if these communities represent approx. 25% of commuters. It appears that your group is more focused on the grander scheme of things instead of the urgent needs of the majority right now - what are you doing about the current situation we are in right now? Thought you should know one of the councillors in your group has been heard to say on many occasions that your group is made up of bureaucrats. I guess this is what Carleton Place council wants, because it is pretty obvious they have no intentions of helping out, they got our votes and now they don't care about the group. Other than the grant that you have been asking for, have you received a financial commitment from the town for Transit?

Cliff

24 Apr 2007 (Tue) @ 9:52am

Frank, Dave In answer to your questions, CTS in keeping with our vision has been reviewing the different options that are open to us. These would include the notion of contracting other service providers such as mentioned by yourself, but we want to ensure that we have in place a communtiy based transit authority that would provide oversight and a management function for the public transit system. That is what has been lacking all these years with the current providers of the service and their predicessors. At this juncture an application has been filed to incorporate a not-for-profit business known as Lanark Community Transit (LCT). In addition, Carleton Place, Town Council has initiated a sub-committee known as the "Transit Committee" to examine these issues. CTS is part of that Committee, to date Perth and Smiths Falls have attended. In addition the Lanark Transportation Association will have representation on this committee. The intent is to bring on board all local municipalities who have a direct interest. Please note that we see public transit being part of the Lanark County infrastructure, not just a service. Immediate next steps are to complete a feasibility study and develop a formal business plan. That we are working overtime to achieve these items. In addition we have been making a number of presentations to the municipalities of Lanark County to ensure their awareness of these issues, their support and how we as residents need them to be involved. In these areas we vitally need your support as residents within the different municipalities to take part in the presentation or just to be present at these presentations in order to bring home to the Councils the fact that their constituents are in need of public trasit. To date we have presented at CP(reps from the councils of MM, Montague and Drummond-North Elmsley were present), Perth, Lanark Highlands and Appleton Community Assoc. We are planning on presentations at Lanark County (tomorrow) and Smiths Falls, Mississippi Mills in the near future. We need to develop contacts within all communities who will work with us in delivering these messages. If you are willing to take part, could you please email myself or any of the executive listed on the contact page of this website. Thank you

Frank	23 Apr 2007 (Mon) @ 3:30pm
Has the bus company running the service in Rockland been asked if they are interested in running a service from Mississippi Mills and Carlton Place? Maybe they would be anxious to expand their service. If they have the buses and the expertise and a history of success why wouldn't they want to do that here? Why shouldn;t the comuters here want them to run it?

	23 Apr 2007 (Mon) @ 3:26pm
test

dave

20 Apr 2007 (Fri) @ 1:15pm

Regarding the current bus providers claim that he cannot fill 4 buses. To my knowledge there has never been one advertisement or any marketing attempt in order to try and increase ridership, in fact there is barely any contact at all between Thom and current riders let alone potential riders. The riders have all heard about the bus basically from word of mouth.. and with the fare increase the word of mouth is "its expensive". I think the operator is letting the service die a slow death. With the latest "service cut" theres going to be even less riders and worse "word of mouth" aobut the bus service. Hopefully Council gets their collective butt in gear as I can foresee there not being any service after this summer.

Shane

19 Apr 2007 (Thu) @ 9:13pm

INTERESTING FACT 2 - In 2001, 21,990 persons living in Lanark County reported that to get to work they were the driver of a vehicle. However only 2,365 people reported that they were passengers in a vehicle. That means that about 19,600 residents of Lanark County were alone in their vehicle on their way to work. If only half of those people worked east of Lanark and only half of those wanted to save the environment and save money by using public transit a bus line would need to be able to provide 5000 seats (or 100 buses). Yet the current bus provider claims he cannot fill 4 buses and has reduced the service effective April 30th to just 3 runs or a maximum of 150 seats.

Shane	19 Apr 2007 (Thu) @ 8:59pm
INTERESTING FACT In 2001, apparently 4,455 persons from Mississippi Mills reported that they were the driver of a vehicle when asked in the census about how they got to work. In the same survey only 465 people reported that they were passengers. Does that mean that mean there were about 4,000 commuters from Mississippi Mills who drive into work alone?

Frank	19 Apr 2007 (Thu) @ 8:46pm
I did not even know that the bus went to Carleton University. The first time I saw a schedule was yesterday and that is the new scheduled service to start the week after next. Does anyone know how to find if there is anyone interested in carpooling/providing rides to the Merivale Avenue area just south of Baseline Road?

Kathy B.

17 Apr 2007 (Tue) @ 1:27pm

An update to the previous message - Item #118149 is on the Community Issues Agenda tonight and staff is recommending to council to choose an architect for the new Childcare Facility. It is going ahead. What is going on with CTS - looks like I am going to have to pay extra money because I work at Carleton University and THOM will no longer be dropping me off or picking me up then. I live in Carleton Place and this is unacceptable. What are you doing about this?

B.H.

30 Mar 2007 (Fri) @ 6:46am

Power of The People - While shelving the $1,000,000 project to consolidate the day care centres in town - Gerald Kirby noted that there was "a lack of representation from users of the proposed facility" and that "during presentations for the transit issues in Carleton Place, a large contingent of people pushing for the project appeared before council." The Carleton Place Canadian March 27, 2007 So if you want the community you live in to live up to your expectations it seems you do need to make sure your voice is heard!

Lynda

29 Mar 2007 (Thu) @ 2:29pm

Reason for the Increase in Fares In order to keep the tax rate the same as last years rate the Clarence-Rockland Council decided to increase the rates. Clarence-Rockland had added 2 buses on the Rockland run and changed a 26 passenger bus for a 52 passenger bus on the Bourget run. A public presentation was held to hear objections etc.. and only two people showed up. They had no phone calls nor emails of concern about the increase. Of course one of the keys to public transit,is to increase ridership but it is a fine balance as one invests in more services while building a system of riders. Thanks for your interest and support

Lynda

25 Mar 2007 (Sun) @ 3:22pm

Hi, Thank you for keeping us informed. The information about the fare increase is now posted on their website. As well, the students fares are going up to $105 I was not doubting your information but feel a responsibility to take this one step further. I contacted the Director of Physical Services in Clarence - Rockland to find out if the increase is due to something other than the rate of inflation. CTS will benefit from knowing the answer to this. When I have the answer, I will comment it in. Any information that you feel we should know about please let us know. This is much appreciated. Thanks once again.

Rockland Passes	23 Mar 2007 (Fri) @ 1:42pm
Contact Rockland Town Hall - 613-446-6022 - Public Works. There passes are going up from $140.00 per month to $150.00 per month effective May 1/2007. Their daily trip passes will be increasing from $6.00 to $7.00 each way effective May 1/2007. Thought your group would like to be kept informed about these increases.

Lynda	21 Mar 2007 (Wed) @ 8:40pm
Hi, I can find nothing notifying the passengers of an increase of the fares on their web site. I will check with Clarence-Rockland and let you know as soon as I find out. I would like to do this before I comment on increases in fares. http://en.clarence-rockland.com/siteengine/activepage.asp?PageID=151

Rockland Passes	21 Mar 2007 (Wed) @ 1:49pm
Residents of Rockland have been notified that there bus passes will be going up to $150.00 per month effective April 1/2007. Some bus users are concerned as their fares have increased from $120.00 per month to $150.00 within the past three years.

Shane	21 Feb 2007 (Wed) @ 10:34am
Currently to get dropped off in Hull there is only one choice of a bus in the morning (if you want to be dropped off in Hull) and it means walking over back to the Ottawa side to catch the bus at the end of the day. I wonder how many people from Beckwith and Carleton Place working in Hull would take the bus if there was a better connection.

Robert McDonald

12 Feb 2007 (Mon) @ 10:14am

To Jim: Like you, I don't make use of the rink, the pool, the museums, soccer fields parks and have no kids in school. These are only a few of the facilities/services that you and I may never use, but they are available to us should we desire to make use of them. As you stated, these facilities/services are funded in whole or in part by our tax dollars. The same would apply to a community transit solution. It is something you may not use today; you may never have to use it. But there may be a time that you or one of your family members will require the services offered by community transit and you will be glad it is in place for their use. A community transit system would be a great drawing card for anyone thinking of moving out of the city to escape the hectic city life. These same people will be using Hwy 7 to commute to and from work, a community transit system would help alleviate the inevitable congestion problem resulting from the increased traffic volume. They will also become taxpayers whose tax dollars would be used, in part, to provide a transit solution for Carleton Place and area. As our population ages, the need to consult medical facilities in the city will become a factor for many of us. A community transit system would provide us with much needed service thus removing the burden of finding a means of getting to and from these medical facilities. Like you, I don't think that a decision should be made without the full support of the community. If a transit solution is put in place for those who commute to and from Ottawa/Gatineau, on a daily basis, it should be a decision that the majority of the community wants. Regards, Robert McDonald

Andrew	10 Feb 2007 (Sat) @ 1:21pm
To Jim: I would agree with you that tax (especially if high) should not be applied for a niche sub-community. The whole purpose of the survey is to determine the extent of the population that would take such a system, how often and for how much. I hope you filled out the survey to convey your opinion. By leaving the frequency questions blank, you're saying that you wouldn't use it... Cheers

Jim

10 Feb 2007 (Sat) @ 11:38am

How about a democratic process. Local politicians should not pay for any services without at least 50% support from the taxpayers. I don't use the bus, the rink, the pool, the museums, soccer fields parks and have no kids in school. Why do I have to pay for all these things? Let the user pay! That is fair. If more than 50% of the taxpayers approve a service the town can put money into it. But leave more $ in my pocket so I can decide what extras I want to have and what extras I can afford. I already pay more than my fair share of the services being provided.

Sophie	9 Feb 2007 (Fri) @ 1:24pm
Meow

Lynda	9 Feb 2007 (Fri) @ 11:52am
Sorry,the last message should have been Lynda Stroud

Vera

9 Feb 2007 (Fri) @ 11:51am

CTS was informed that this meeting is for council, municipal representatives, service providers and interest groups to understand the Clarence-Rockland system. They would like to spend the two hours or so focusing in on what the Clarence -Rockland team has to say. This is not to say that you cannot come to the presentation but it has been suggested that a public meeting be held after council is totally informed on the transit model. At this presentation the transit coommittee(council and CTS) can focus on public concerns and questions. We can also invite Clarence -Rockland back for this meeting if necessary. we will be posting this on our website this weekend

Vera Smith	8 Feb 2007 (Thu) @ 2:06pm
At the Feb. 15/2007 - when Rockland does a presentation in Carleton Place at the Arena - are we, the transit riders, invited to attend?

Robert McDonald	8 Feb 2007 (Thu) @ 12:40am
I received a second emailing saying that the parking increase is for PLACE DE VILLE TENANTS and not Place du Centre. Once one parking area increases it's rates, it won't take long for the others to follow. I sincerely hope that we get some kind of movement from council in the near future with regards to a transit solution for Carleton Place and area commuters. Regards, Robert McDonald

Robert McDonald

8 Feb 2007 (Thu) @ 12:29am

I commute (via Thom Buses) everyday to Place du Centre in Gatineau. If the bus pass increase was not enough, I just received an email that may be of interest to those who car pool to and from Gatineau. The parking rates at Place du Centre are going up by more than 50% effective March 01, 2007. According to their emailing, Monthly Parking Passes will now cost $165.00 (discounted) and $190.00 (regular). It won't be long before other parking areas in Gatineau raise their rates. The money grab just continues to grow...... Regards, Robert McDonald

Sophie

7 Feb 2007 (Wed) @ 1:52pm

In answer to your question, I do live in Carleton Place but I don't have a car because I don't drive. I find it very frustrating that it has been over 4 1/2 months since the fare increase and there doesn't seem to be any relief. I thought that this was going to be high priority for the Mayor of Carleton Place. I was at the first meeting that he attended and he said that he needed numbers of how many take the bus. Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought he said that there were enough people in the room that very night. What happened? I remember filling out a petition that was circulated back in Sept. or October 2006. I've been following the local newspaper reports and the agendas at Town Council. I am of the opinion that Carleton Place Council has brushed off the commuters, of which 70% of the taxpayers commute via Thom or by cars to Ottawa daily, now that the election is over. Can you foresee when, if any, any relief will come to us Commuters? Is there a specific web-page for any commuters to carpool - or in my case willing to take passengers? One of my friends was paying to be in a carpool with someone from Carleton Place and it turns out that once the driver found out how much Thom was charging us, she upped her rates to match Thom. Doesn't anybody care anymore?

Andrew

6 Feb 2007 (Tue) @ 11:34pm

Hi Arnie. I'm so glad to hear that you will draw MMRA's attention to us and ask that you extend that attention to everyone you know. We're on the verge of completing a preliminary analysis of the survey results. Not surpisingly, a majority (70%) of those who have conducted the survey are from Carleton Place and we really need representation from the other communities, both as CTS membership and as contributors to the needs survey.

Arnie Francis	6 Feb 2007 (Tue) @ 3:04pm
Just starting to hear about this wonderful initiative! Given the growing concerns with our environment, I'd say anything we can do to address transit issues is better than sitting on our hands. With your leave, the Mississippi Mills Residents' Association (MMRA) Board will draw our members' attention to the survey and your site. (Arnie Francis, President, MMRA)

Lynda

6 Feb 2007 (Tue) @ 10:13am

Sophie, We were informed this Sunday that the presentation is on Feb15th and that the meeting is to be held in the boardroom at the arena for 7:00pm. Ed Sonnenburg and Jerry Flynn are the leads on this gathering and we were told that this was to be an informal information session with the focus on educating us on the Clarence-Rockland transit model rather than a large presentation. About the committee, we have continued to meet every week since Sept,except for the XMas break. We ae trying to keep up with the minutes but between busy schedules , work and family life and winter flu's etc..we have fallen behind in this matter. We are working on getting the minutes posted this week. Our apologies.. About Mr Oscheli..we met with the gentleman concerned ..actually he has attended one of our meetings. He has been interested in getting a better transit system developed for Lanark for a while now. He has agreed to help us with any of our endeavours. Sophie the immediate relief will have to come in the form of car pooling or driving to a park and ride.Are you from Carleton Place?

Sophie

5 Feb 2007 (Mon) @ 11:19am

A colleague of mine mentioned to me that she saw on Carleton Place municipal documents on Thurs. Feb. 15/2007 at 7 pm that Rockland-Clarence is going to be making a presentation in Carleton Place. Can you tell us where the meeting will be held. Also, would like to note that there haven't been any minutes posted to the web since Nov. 2006. (did the committee meet). Also did you hear back from that other bus company that Carleton Place Council referred to your group. The cost of commuting to Ottawa is really draining my budget. Don't know how much longer I will be able to continue paying this amount. Can you let us know the Status of the committee, especially, when if any, can we see relief from this bus hike. Thanks, Sophie

Cliff

6 Dec 2006 (Wed) @ 11:17am

Linda, Denis, you are right in that a bus service does cost and that is what this initiative is about. i.e. How do we deliver an affordable enviromentally friendly transit system that meets our needs as residents of Lanark County. With respect to the Unionized costs, well Thom is unionized as well and they are with the Teamsters. I don't believe that we have any fears about being able to deliver a service, the challenge will be to deliver it in a manner that meets our needs. Have both of you filled out our survey, in it we ask about what we are prepared to pay. If you have not filled it out please do and leave your comments and addresses so that we can get in touch with you should you want further information as we move forward.

Linda and Denis Boyer

6 Dec 2006 (Wed) @ 5:40am

Nobody seems to ask the obvious questions: Does anybody know how much this is going to cost to the tax payers? Do you know how much a bus cost minimum $90,000.00 for only a 33 passengers? Do you know how much a UNIONIZED driver cost? Remember Gray Line are unionized ATU local 1415 which I am a member. Why is it that in the local paper "The Canadian" Gray Line never return the phone calls or return any answers would it be possible that mister Mr.Oechsli is doing behind Gray Line's back? Remember that Gray Line is a division of Greyhound do you really think they will agree to that? It all boils down to HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO COST?

Cliff

3 Dec 2006 (Sun) @ 2:12pm

Hi Sophia, we are happy as well with the manner in which the program is moving forward. We are finding a lot positivity surrounding the whole approach. We will get in touch with you and Brenda. Currently, we are sending out requests for letters of support from the different service providers of Lanark County. As the Lanark Transportation Association is one such provider, you will receive a request, in additon we would be delighted to ensure you and LTA are kept within the loop in so far as the program is further advanced.

Sophia Hanafi	26 Nov 2006 (Sun) @ 11:05am
Hi there! So glad to see that this initiative is a going concern! As Coordinator of the LTA, I'd be interested in staying in the loop. I've also passed this info on to Brenda Hurrle, Exec Director of the United Way, as transportation has been identified as one of the top three issues in a recent county-wide community consultation. Sophia Hanafi (613) 253-8265 (wk)

Cliff	25 Nov 2006 (Sat) @ 7:37pm
David, I failed to mention that Trish is a resident of Mississippi Mills and that is why I asked you to work with her.

Cliff

25 Nov 2006 (Sat) @ 7:34pm

David thanks for your kind words and the constructive comments on what your needs are. Even though the majority of us are from Carleton Place we have every intention to involve all of Lanark County and address those needs. I have ridden the bus for quite some years and recall that Thom attempted to establish a run out of Almonte but there was not sufficient ridership to support the bus, I believe this may have happened because Thom did involve itself in the community to stimulate increased ridership. With respect to what we are doing, we have asked Trish Johnston to join our committee and to provide some representation for Mississippi Mills. I would ask that you contact her through her email on the contact list at the top of this page, If you don't mind I would like to ask you to work with her to establish a Mississippi Mills network of interested persons that could be utilized to advise and advance issues that affect your area. Issues that we may not be aware of in Carleton Place. Of interest to you is that Carleton Place Council will be inviting Mississippi Mills Council to have a representative on the working group that they are establishing in partnership with us to review the transportation issues. See the notes further below posted by Lynda on Nov. 22 With best regards Cliff Neudorf Spokesperson, CTS

David

24 Nov 2006 (Fri) @ 12:53am

I am really glad to see this initiative is going forward but am a bit concerned about the extensive focus on Carleton Place. The fact is Carleton Place already has relatively direct access to Ottawa with Thom whereas for those of us in Almonte, Pakenham etc... any bus trip we wish to make goes takes a significant detour to CP. I currently drive to the park and ride at Eagleson as do a large number of people in the Almonte area. I would be even more supportive of your efforts if I knew there was some hope of even getting a small bus to do trips between (for example) Almonte and the Kanata park and ride. A service right down #49 to the 417 would also be able to pick up rural residents along the way at such spots as the car pool lot @ Thomas Dolan. Anyway, just a thought, I do realize most of you are in CP. The problem is that any solution(including a municipal service) that routes all buses through CP will be of limited use (and will be little used) by residents of other areas. thanks

Lynda	23 Nov 2006 (Thu) @ 5:43pm
My apologies to Perth for that error!

Cliff	22 Nov 2006 (Wed) @ 7:11pm
Further to Lynda's message below, Irene McQueen asked that the Town of Perth be mentioned in the staff recommended motion. The request was respected and the Town of Perth is also included within this committee.

Lynda Stroud

22 Nov 2006 (Wed) @ 8:52am

Hi, Last night we went to the council meeting in Carleton Place. We found out that there was a motion put forth by Mr. Oechsli to give a presentation for Gray Lines concerning transit to Ottawa. We were not only interested to hear more about this but under staff recommendations it was stated that : " STAFF RECOMMENDATION THAT the Town suggest that a working group comprised of representatives from the Community Transit Solutions, the Town of Carleton Place, Township of Beckwith, Town of Mississippi Mills and Lanark County be formed to investigate a public transit system. THAT Mr. Oechsli be referred to this group. Receive and File." The decision was carried forward to the effect that a working group would be formed with CTS representatives and represetatives from the other municipalities. Letters will be sent out by council asking for representation. This is a very positive step for all. We have been recieved with a cooperative and egar attitude by council. CTS has been legitimized. This is opening the door for a positive and productive environment for CTS to move foward with what we need to do in order to establish a Lanark commmunity based transit system and with what we need to do in order protect our environment.

Mary Whitelaw

18 Nov 2006 (Sat) @ 7:25pm

Hi Janet, Thanks for your kind comments. I agree with you. We are fortunate to have the Thom Bus. There have been some frustrations in the past but for the most part the drivers get us to and from work safely and comfortably (we have some good laughs!)....I know of some people that tried the Park & Ride and were discontent with having to drive and then also having to get on the OC System and stand all the way downtown! The Thom ridership will likely rise in the winter months as it always does (with inclement weather, higher volumes of road traffic, tieups due to construction and more stoplights). We need to work as a group to make the commute easier. We need to assess our needs, work with Ottawa to gain access to Commuter lanes and develop reciprical agreements for bus passes. We also need to work for a County-based system that Lanark county can be proud of (Coach buses to downtown (with advertising from our communites), to the airport, ski hills, Tourism Tours and also service the needs of students, seniors and disabled within the municipalities of Carleton Place, Perth, Smiths Falls, Mississippi Mills ). We need the support of all levels of government, our commuters, our businesses, our seniors and all residents to achieve this service. I feel that the commuters, business people etc can pay a higher user fee than say student, seniors and disadvantaged, however I do not feel that all transit budget money should go to large centres exclusively and there should be some grant money for rural communities as well. Looking forward to comments!

Janet Dowell

16 Nov 2006 (Thu) @ 9:34am

Thanks for all you work on this project. Being from Perth, I am a little concerned how this will affect us. I certainly don't want to lose the bus option of transportation. Before we moved to Perth we checked into transportation options and would not have made the move if I could not take a commuter bus. The commuting is hard enough on me without having to do the actual driving each day. I certainly would like it if the commuter bus could use the OC Transpo lanes on the highway, and if the cost would incorporate an OC Transpo pass (or at least a discount). The sudden, extreme jump in the price of the commuter bus certainly put a strain on our home budget, but for my personal safety and less stress I am willing to pay the extra -- I would probably pay more, if I had to. I have completed the survey, but I found it difficult to answer some of the questions. The answers that I would have put in weren't options. For example, I had to put down that I would be interested in taking the bus if it ran 3-6 times a day, when in fact I'm interested in taking it even if it only runs once in the morning and once in the evening. Sure I would like the option of taking a later bus in the morning, or working later some evening, but not having that option will not stop me from taking the bus. With regards to purchasing tickets or passes, I would like to see the monthly passes (ones that expire) having discounts to the regular price. That way you don't lose money if you are ill a couple of days. Adding to the municipal taxes would not be much of an issue because I take the bus. But after I retire, I'm not sure I would want to subsidize other people's lifestyle choices. And I certainly would not want paying taxes to mean that I am paying for the bus twice. Presently, I feel very fortunate to have Thom Bus Lines available to take to work each day. I don't have to transfer in Carleton Place and can take the Perth Bus most of the way to work. I have about a 15 minute walk to get to my building. Since that is the only exercise I have time for anymore, I kind of appreciate it. Please continue to persue some options for communters and keep me informed of any progress. Thanks. Janet Perth P.S. You have a very well organized web site. Keep up the good work.

Diane Raitanen

15 Nov 2006 (Wed) @ 2:01pm

Hi Andrew, Thanks for your response. You are right. Quite a few Perth commuters have left Thom so many are unhappy with the status quo. I guess we just worry that we might go from bad to worse (no service). If you send me an electronic copy of your notice about the survey I can post copies around Perth and do what I can to make the community aware of the issue. Thanks for taking the time to get in touch with me. I am impressed with all the work your group is doing. Diane Raitanen

Andrew Billyard

15 Nov 2006 (Wed) @ 2:00pm

Hi Diane, If I may add a few comments to your email. As Irene has said, many thanks for your survey and your additional comments. We plan on soon adding a "comments" slot to the survey. Would you object to me placing your email to Irene in our comments section to the website? If you take a look at our vision statement (www.CommunityTransitSolutions.ca/vision.shtml), you'll see that we are taking an all-inclusiveness to this approach...leaving out no one. One of the purposes of this survey is to assess the needs of all the Lanark county communities, not just Carleton Place. I must say that I do disagree with your statement that all the Perth commuters are relatively happy with the status quo. I know of a number of Perth commuters who have since left Thom and are commuting into Kanata, only to take the OC transpo into downtown. However, I absolutely sympathize with your worry that any replacement system will be a logistical nightmare for the communities farther west. But we are not there yet. We certainly do not like the way things are currently operating, but we're not jumping lock-stock into the first alternate solution to come our way. The "S" in CTS is SolutionS (plural). Your concern is valid and I suggest that this is an excellent opportunity for someone from Perth to join our group to ensure that their voice is being heard. Furthermore, perhaps you can encourage more in your community to complete the survey so that a more substantial assessment can be made of Perth's transit desires (currently of the 106 surveys completed, only 6 have been filled out from Perth residents). Sincerely, Andrew Billyard

Mary	11 Nov 2006 (Sat) @ 9:27pm
Hi Donna - thanks for your words of encouragement and we hope that you continue to support us as we work towards our committee's goals

Donna Davidson

11 Nov 2006 (Sat) @ 4:13pm

There is a tremendous need for a county wide transportation system with tie-in to the OC transpo system in Ottawa. This is absolutely imperative for enviromental reasons. It would contribute greatly to the economic growth in Lanark County and to the population growth. It is especially vital that this be developed now for the Carleton Place community because of the completion of the four lane highway in 2009. We have to give Carleton Place every ability to attract new residents and business because this four lane highway will be the most dramatic force that the town has ever encountered. These facts also apply in a slightly lesser degree to the towns of Smith Falls, Perth, and Almonte. However the enviromental issues are the most importent. Since enviromental issues according to recent polling are Canadians number one priority undoubtedly there will be federal monies available to launch progressive initiatives such as the one proposed by your committee.

Lynda Stroud

10 Nov 2006 (Fri) @ 1:34pm

Hello, Some feedback has come to our attention about the structure of the survey. Please note that a "comments box" will be added and a question about "night service" as soon as the Webmaster is able to do so. Diane your concerns have been noted and we thank you for this feedback. This is a Lanark initiative and we would appreciate it if you could pass along our url so that people can fill out the survey.There is also a survey.doc for print