Brandon Transit Seeking Feedback on Proposed New Route Structure

May 25, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Brandon, MB – Following an extensive process of research and review, the City of Brandon and management and staff of Brandon Transit are excited to present a proposed new transit route structure to the public aimed at providing a more efficient and cost-effective service to the growing community.

While all routes are proposed to see some degree of change, Brandon Transit officials would like to assure the public that there will be NO changes made to the current service hours, which are Monday to Saturday from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Sunday and statutory holidays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. A detailed explanation of the proposed new route structure, stop locations, and timing points is available at http://brandontransit.ca/routes-schedules/route-changes.

"Our existing route network was implemented in 2002 as a ‘hub-and-spoke’ model that aimed to provide a transfer point to downtown Brandon every 30 minutes. However, due to Brandon’s growth and increased ridership over the past 15 years, our service has simply outgrown this network,” notes City of Brandon Manager of Transit Courtney Brister. “Over the past number of months, we conducted a review of all our routes to ensure a convenient and cost-effective service is being provided. We are confident that our proposed new route network offers comparable coverage to the current system, but uses fewer resources by providing service in a more efficient way.”

Among the proposed route network’s significant changes includes the addition of a brand new route in Brandon’s south end that will feed into the Brandon Shopper’s Mall terminal. Proposed for elimination is the current City Circular route, with its ridership serviced by other routes. In addition, bus service along Braecrest Drive and McDonald Avenue is proposed for removal due to extremely low ridership; however, Brandon Transit will work with impacted riders in the area to ensure access to public transit remains available via an alternative service option.

Brister adds that the new proposed network’s coverage areas are very similar to that of the current network to ensure that routes fall within the industry standard of providing access to a bus route within 400 metres of most residences, major employment areas, public services, facilities and schools. 

Public consultation events have been scheduled for the evenings of Wednesday, May 31st and Thursday, June 8th to provide the public with more information on the new routes and gather user feedback.

Both evening events are scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. in the Cultural Resource Centre at the A.R. McDiarmid Civic Complex, 638 Princess Avenue (Enter via Princess Avenue, North Door). For members of the public who cannot attend the above consultation sessions, a video presentation explaining the proposed route network in detail can be viewed on the Brandon Transit website at http://brandontransit.ca/routes-schedules/route-changes. Pamphlets are also available directly to transit users on buses or at the Brandon Transit Info Centre at 8th Street & Rosser Avenue.

Brandon Transit will also be accepting direct feedback via the following ways:

•             By email at transit@brandon.ca

•             By phone at 204-729-2279

•             By letter mail c/o Brandon Transit, 900 Richmond Avenue East, Brandon, MB, R7A 7M1

•             By online comment at http://brandontransit.ca/contact-info/contact-us-online

Following the public consultation process, Brandon Transit officials anticipate implementation of the new route structure in August of 2017.