This consultation was open from:
June 23, 2016
to August 31, 2016
Decision summary
We're improving intercommunity bus service across Ontario with a two-part approach that will connect communities and meet the travel needs of Ontarians.
Decision details
Decision of policy
In response to the input received on the 2016 proposed modernization of the intercommunity bus regime, the province has made a decision on December 1, 2017 and is implementing a two part approach to improving intercommunity bus service across Ontario that will connect communities and meet the travel needs of Ontarians.
- Improve the provision of intercommunity bus service in northern Ontario by leveraging the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) as a service provider to increase bus service in northeastern Ontario and introduce bus service in northwestern Ontario in collaboration with existing private carriers.
- Establish a new five year Community Transportation Grant program to support the provision of critical long distance intercommunity bus service led by municipalities in underserved or unserved areas of the province.
Comment(s) received on the proposal: 98
Public Consultation on the proposal for this decision was provided for 69 Days, from June 23, 2016 to August 31, 2016.
As a result of public consultation on the proposal, the Ministry received a total of 98 comments: 72 comments were received in writing and 26 were received online.
Additionally, a copy of all comments are available for public viewing by contacting the Contact person listed in this notice.
Effects of consultation
Effect(s) of consultation on this decision
The comments submitted in response to this proposal have been fully considered and reviewed. Many of the suggestions and recommendations received in writing and in person during the outreach sessions have helped to shape the province’s plan to improve intercommunity bus service in northern Ontario and develop the a long distance component of the province-wide Community Transportation Grant program.
While the 2016 proposal requested input on options to remove market entry controls for the intercommunity bus industry, the majority of comments received through consultation and engagement focused on the availability of services and service levels across the province, rather than the status of the regulatory regime.
Below is a summary of key comments received:
Deregulation
- Comments noted that controlling participation in the market does not provide innovation and does not deliver what users need.
- They noted that removing market entry controls could enable service providers and public transit agencies to work collaboratively to find solutions for transportation issues currently faced by unserved and underserved areas.
- Deregulation could also enable the introduction of alternative transportation methods, which may cater to needs of different submarkets.
- However, several comments also noted that deregulation does not solve the main issue of service gaps in rural and northern areas.
- Under deregulation, ridership would be the only metric for adding and or removing service. In such an environment, rural communities may often be the first to lose service.
- Some comments also noted that other jurisdictions have experienced a significant loss in service for smaller rural and remote communities post deregulation.
Demographic and regional needs
- Some comments stated that deregulation could disproportionately disadvantage seniors, students, indigenous people and communities and those with pronounced healthcare needs living outside of urban areas.
- Intercommunity bus services often provide access linking Indigenous communities to crucial services such as medical appointments, employment opportunities, education, housing and emergency shelters, mental health and addictions treatment.
- Comments noted that there is an increasing population of seniors living in Ontario, particularly in rural areas and that transportation services should respond to the needs of these residents.
- Some comments suggested that the government include consideration for on demand transportation services for rural areas where a more regularly scheduled service isn’t viable.
Provincial support
- Several comments called for a basic level of affordable intercommunity bus service across the province.
- They noted that:
- Provincial funding is needed to service underserved and unserved communities in northern, rural and remote locations.
- There is no incentive to the private sector to provide service to many low-density communities in rural and northern Ontario, this pointing to a need for government controls and support to fill in the gaps.
Connectivity
- With respect to rural connectivity, comments stated that rural communities need to be connected to major centres.
- In many remote communities buses are vital for the transportation of medical, commercial and residential parcels.
- Comments noted that more service is needed that aligns with customer demands, and that buses should link and complement existing transportation service.
- A general theme among comments provided was that public transportation in Ontario that connects communities at a regional level is a necessity and investments should be made to enhance regional public transportation networks while also providing adequate funding for local partners.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
Connect with us
Contact
Katerina Minaeva
777 Bay Street
Suite 700
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J8
Canada
Original proposal
Proposal details
Updates
This proposal notice invites interested communities, the intercity bus industry and members of the public to review and comment on the province’s proposed plan for reform of the intercity bus regulatory regime.
Description of policy
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is proposing a plan to reform the intercity bus regulatory regime. The proposed path forward will open up opportunities for innovative solutions to meet the needs of Ontarians, while ensuring that safety and insurance remain the highest priority.
The attached discussion paper serves as the basis of our consultation. It highlights the current challenges facing the intercity bus industry and how the province proposes to address these challenges through regulatory reform. Towards the end of the discussion paper, key questions will be asked and comments are welcome.
The ministry is building on the momentum of earlier consultations, including the Intercity Bus Modernization posting on the Environmental Registry, which closed on October 23, 2015. The comments received in response to the previous posting were carefully considered in developing the proposed path forward outlined in the attached discussion paper.
The proposal offers us an opportunity to revitalize an important sector of Ontario’s transportation system through regulatory modernization. The ministry appreciates your comments and feedback, and hopes to receive your input on the proposed path forward.
Purpose of policy
As part of Ontario’s commitment to facilitate new and innovative choices for intercity passenger travel, over the next few months MTO will be consulting with communities, the intercity bus industry and members of the public to discuss a potential path forward. Consultation on intercity passenger travel links with a broader government commitment to consult on a provincial approach to the sharing economy: an emerging sector in which online platforms and innovative technologies facilitate exchanges of goods and services (e.g. Uber, AirBnB).
To ensure that modernization of the intercity bus regime provides the best outcomes for the public, service providers, and communities, three guiding principles outline the ministry’s proposed plan for regulatory reform of the intercity bus regime:
- Ensuring safety and insurance requirements are held to the highest standard
- Fostering an open, innovative and dynamic market
- Responsive to the needs of communities and the travelling public
Other information
To help guide the proposed plan to reform the intercity bus regulatory regime, the province is seeking feedback on the following key questions:
- Do you support the removal of market entry controls of the intercity bus industry? Why or why not?
- What are the benefits of removing market entry controls? What are the drawbacks?
- 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?
- How much of your business is currently attributed to non-urgent medical transfer (patients, supplies, etc.)?
- Could municipalities and social and health organizations better partner with transportation providers to serve the public? If so, how?
- 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?
- Is there any other feedback you would like to provide on the issues and/or proposal outlined in this discussion paper?
Public consultation
This proposal was posted for a 69 day public review and comment period starting June 23, 2016. Comments were to be received by August 31, 2016.
All comments received during the comment period are being considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry.
Please Note: All comments and submissions received have become part of the public record.
Other public consultation opportunities
In accordance with its Statement of Environmental Values, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) believes that public consultation is critical to sound decision making. Communities, the intercity bus industry, the travelling public and other interested groups and individuals across Ontario are invited to submit written comments regarding consideration of different ways to modernize the rules and regulations governing the intercity bus regime. Alternatively, you may submit your comments online. Please quote the Environmental Registry Number when submitting comments.
You will not receive a formal response to your comments, however, all comments received during the posting of this proposal will be taken into consideration by MTO in moving forward with revitalizing the intercity bus regime through regulatory modernization.
In addition to this posting to the Environmental Registry, the ministry will be attending key municipal and industry conferences and meetings throughout the summer. There, MTO will be presenting the attached discussion paper to stakeholders from around the province and in a number of different sectors.
If you have any questions, or would like to submit your comments, please do so within the public review and comment period to the individual listed under Contact
. Additionally, you may submit your comments online.
For further technical information, contact:
Silvia Ciobotaru
Policy Advisor
Ministry of Transportation
Policy and Planning Division
Transportation Policy Branch
Passenger Transportation Office
777 Bay Street, Suite 3000
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 2J8
Phone: (416) 585-7224
Fax: (416) 585-7204
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from June 23, 2016
to August 31, 2016
Connect with us
Contact
Melissa Evers
777 Bay Street
Suite 700
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J8
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
26By email
0By mail
72