Part 1: Transit Expansion, Bus Stop Safety, and Rural Access Lead PEC Committee Discussions - 04/02/2024
- PECConnect
- Apr 2, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: May 28
The meeting was live streamed and officially opened. The agenda and previous minutes were approved, and no conflicts of interest were declared. A new committee member was welcomed, and everyone briefly introduced themselves so the full group knew each other’s background and experience.
View the entire PEC Council meeting, or continue to speaker comments and councillor votes>
Overview of county transit
Staff gave a detailed overview of County Transit, which launched in 2020 as the county’s first public transit system. The service includes one main weekday route connecting Picton, Bloomfield, and Belleville, along with flexible services that help people living farther away reach that route. The system currently provides about 5,500 rides per year, and ridership is steadily growing.
Funding concerns and long-term planning
The committee was told that the provincial grant funding expires in March 2025, which creates urgency to plan for a sustainable future. Staff explained the need for a two-phase approach, starting with improving the current system and followed by a five to ten year transit strategy to match expected growth in the county.
Transit Strategy Refresh proposal
Staff asked the committee to support creating a Transit Strategy Refresh Task Team. This group would help guide the planning process, shape the scope of work for a consultant, and ensure the strategy reflects county-wide needs. The focus is not on individual bus stops but on big-picture planning, funding models, service coverage, and public engagement.
Bus stop review in Picton
The committee reviewed proposed changes to several bus stops in Picton. The goal was to improve safety, accessibility, and visibility, especially where buses currently stop near blind corners or awkward driveways. Several stops were proposed to be moved slightly, split into two stops, or better aligned with parking areas so people can park and ride the bus more easily.
There was careful discussion about a stop near the harbour area where parking is already limited. Members raised concerns about removing parking spaces and suggested exploring options to relocate parking rather than eliminate it. Safety issues like blind curves, pedestrian crossings, and turning traffic were heavily considered.
New stops along King Street were reviewed to serve the most densely populated area of Picton. Staff explained that stop spacing is planned around 300 to 400 metres, which is considered a comfortable walking distance. The goal is to make transit more useful for residents, workers, and shoppers.
Bloomfield improvements
The committee supported moving the northbound Bloomfield stop so it lines up with the existing bus shelter and information signage. This change would make the system easier to understand and more comfortable for riders, especially in bad weather.
Concerns about the north end of the county
Members raised concerns that Ameliasburgh, Rossmore, and northern areas are often overlooked. While on-demand and specialized transit exists, several members stressed the need to consider a more visible or fixed stop in the north to make transit realistic for seniors and residents without cars.
Staff confirmed work is underway to add County Transit to Google Maps and transit apps, making schedules and stops easier to find, especially for younger riders and visitors.
Decisions and wrap-up
The committee voted to recommend forming the Transit Strategy Refresh Task Team, approve its terms of reference, and appoint two committee members to it. They also voted to receive the bus stop review for information. The meeting ended on time with the next meeting scheduled.
Key Takeaways
The county is actively planning for transit beyond 2025, with a focus on creating a sustainable system as current provincial funding approaches its end.
Safety, accessibility, and clarity are driving proposed changes to bus stops, especially in Picton and Bloomfield, to improve visibility, reduce risks, and make transit easier to use.
There is growing pressure to ensure rural and northern areas are not left out of transit planning, highlighting the need for more inclusive and accessible service across the county.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 1:19:18. Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.
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