iXpress: Central Transit Corridor Express Bus Project

Region of Waterloo

The Region of Waterloo is implementing several strategies to improve transit service in its central transit corridor, to increase ridership and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.

Background

Waterloo Region is a rapidly growing mid-sized metropolitan area comprised of three cities and four townships. Its population of 480,000 is served by Grand River Transit, but relies on the automobile as the dominant mode of transportation. Significant gains in transit ridership will require overcoming the challenges of low-density land uses, high auto ownership, moderate congestion and inexpensive parking.

A new high-quality express bus service named iXpress, will attract new transit riders by offering fast and frequent service between a number of major regional destinations. It will be complemented by customer service improvements, technological enhancements, intermodal integration, and concentrated marketing and outreach efforts.

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iXpress service

The iXpress route will extend over 33 kilometres, from Conestoga Mall in north Waterloo to the Ainslie Street Bus Terminal in Cambridge. It will connect four downtowns, major university facilities, as well as office complexes, major hospitals and regional shopping centres, with greater bus stop spacing than local routes. iXpress will operate between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and will run every 15 minutes during rush hours and every 30 minutes at other times. The 13 iXpress stations will offer real-time customer information and other passenger amenities.

iXpress will complement, rather than replace, several conventional bus routes that run parallel to it. It will reduce transit travel times in the corridor by 25 percent, benefiting long-distance travelers and making transit more attractive to commuters who have a choice between driving and taking the bus. The speed and reliability of iXpress will be further improved through transit priority measures at 15 signalized intersections.

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Transit Technology

Advanced technologies will play an important role in several aspects of the showcase:

• A GPS-based vehicle locating system will be installed on iXpress buses, enabling the real-time display of “next bus departure” times at all stations. The feasibility of wirelessly distributing the same information to personal digital assistants and similar portable devices will be investigated.
• An automatic passenger counting system will enable more accurate monitoring and evaluation.
• Transit priority measures such as queue-jump lanes or special transit-only phases will be installed at traffic signals.
• A Web-based trip planning system will permit passengers to develop an optimized itinerary.

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Intermodal Integration

The 13 iXpress stations will be located and configured to encourage passenger access by all modes with an emphasis on local transit routes, walking, and cycling. Stations at major transit terminals will provide for maximum integration with other local transit routes, MobilityPLUS services for disabled persons, and intercity bus routes at two locations.

Pedestrian audits at iXpress stations will identify the need for links and amenities. Bicycle access will be encouraged through the provision of bicycle racks on buses, bicycle racks or lockers at key stations, and key cycling links between stations and surrounding areas.

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Marketing and Outreach

A marketing and outreach program will raise awareness of new transit options and encourage their use. It will include two major elements:

• An umbrella marketing campaign will use media and other traditional avenues to raise the profile of a distinct “brand” for iXpress, and to ensure maximum public awareness of the new service.
• A community-based social marketing campaign will emphasize direct personal contact with community members, and the removal of specific barriers to more sustainable transportation choices. These barriers will be identified through means including attitude surveys and focus groups.

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Measurement of Benefits

It is expected that the showcase will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation in the Region of Waterloo. Other anticipated benefits include reductions in fuel consumption and emissions, increased public understanding of sustainable transportation options, and improvements to public safety and quality of life.

Showcase impacts will be determined by analyzing information collected through transit operation monitoring and ridership counts, and surveys of public attitudes and travel habits.

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Partners

The contributing partners in this showcase include:

• Region of Waterloo
• University of Waterloo
• Province of Ontario

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Budget

The showcase budget of $9.25 million is divided as follows:

• IXpress buses and route planning — $3.9 million
• Transit technology — $2.95 million
• Intermodal integration — $1.45 million
• Marketing and outreach — $0.5 million
• Impact assessment and reporting — $0.45 million

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More information

John Cicuttin
Manager, Transit Development
Regional Municipality of Waterloo
150 Frederick Street
Kitchener, ON N2G 4J3
Tel: (519) 575-4023
Fax: 519-575-4449
Email: CiJohn@region.waterloo.on.ca

Note: This information reflects the showcase proposal, progress reports and annual reports as submitted by the applicant, and does not reflect the views of Transport Canada.

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Further Links

To obtain the detailed proposal and/or showcase map or maps, please contact us at:

Urban Transportation Showcase Program
Office of Environmental Affairs
Transport Canada
Place de Ville, Tour C, 18th Floor
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5

Telephone: 613-991-5867
Fax: 613-993-8674
Email: utsp-pdtu@tc.gc.ca