1.Do you support the removal…

1.Do you support the removal of market entry controls of the intercity bus industry? Why or why not?

County comment: The County supports the proposed option being considered by MTO that would exclude transit authorities providing transit services into an adjacent municipality from having to apply for and obtain a public vehicle licence.

2.What are the benefits of removing market entry controls? What are the drawbacks?

County comment: Benefits of removing market entry control would allow transit authorities to provide route connectivity into adjacent municipalities. The removal of licencing barriers has the potential to foster innovative intercommunity service delivery models and provide for better quality of service as a result of open competition. Fewer regulatory barriers would also mean more flexibility in local service planning so that transportation services are more responsive to local needs.

County staff do not foresee any drawbacks.

3.A system needs to be in place to ensure that all vehicles, including those carrying less than 10 passengers, are safe and properly insured when being used to transport people between municipalities for a fee. What do you think the minimum safety and insurance requirements should be for these vehicles?

No County comment as the County of Simcoe does not currently offer intercity/inter-municipal transportation.

4.How much of your business is currently attributed to non-urgent medical transfer (patients, supplies, etc.)?

No County comment as the County of Simcoe does not currently offer intercity/inter-municipal transportation.

5.Could municipalities and social and health organizations better partner with transportation providers to serve the public? If so, how?

County comment: A web based coordinated network of transportation services could facility transportation partnerships in and between small towns, and build upon existing local partnerships and collaborative initiatives. Regional transportation commissions could convene and facilitate a transportation network based on needs and availability, both public and private, with a defined geography.

6.Are there any innovative services or policies currently in operation in Ontario or in other jurisdictions that you think provide a good model for how transportation networks can develop in the future?

County comment: The County of Simcoe received project funding from the Ministry of Transportation’s Community Transportation Pilot Grant Program to support the development of the Community Transportation Link (CT Link), a web-based portal to be used by community transportation service providers such as the Canadian Red Cross, to identify opportunities to pool their transportation resources. The CT Link will improve mobility options for people using community-based transportation services, such as seniors, people living with disabilities and/or medical concerns, and people on fixed incomes, by increasing their transportation opportunities. Four local agencies that provide community transportation services have been part of the pilot project to develop and implement the CT Link, which was launched in June 2016.

Is there any other feedback you would like to provide on the issues and/or proposal outlined in this discussion paper?

It is recommended the language of the Public Vehicles Act also be modernized. ‘Intercity’ bus service is more accurately known as ‘intercommunity’ or ‘inter-municipal’ transportation.

[Original Comment ID: 194678]