Title
Acheson Industrial Area Transit Implementation Committee - Transit Implementation Plan
Proposed Motion
That Council direct Administration to prepare a detailed transit plan and a draft agreement with the City of Spruce Grove to implement a transit service for the Acheson Industrial Area as presented and to prepare a transportation public utility bylaw to pay for the cost of providing that service.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports the proposed motion.
Purpose
To develop an implementation strategy for public transportation in the Acheson Industrial Area.
Summary
Acheson Industrial Area is a growing industrial area located in Parkland County between the City of Spruce Grove and the City of Edmonton along Highway 60. The area encompasses over 16 square miles of land and currently employs approximately 9,000 people.
Parkland County Council has recognized and understood the need for a public transit service in the Acheson Industrial Area considering the current availability of land for new development and the inevitable number of new employees. It is widely recognized that public transit service accommodates and attracts industrial growth by supporting transportation services for those businesses wishing to locate within Parkland County.
The Acheson Business Association has also long recognized the need for a public transit service within the Acheson Industrial Area and as a result retained the services of D.A. Management & Consulting in 2008 to undertake an Acheson Transportation Strategy to look at the viability of public transit service. The Acheson Business Association also went on to undertake a study entitled Acheson Bus Service which was presented to Parkland County in 2011.
Parkland County undertook their own Acheson Industrial Area Transit Feasibility Study in 2012 to analyze the viability of conventional transit service as well as other unconventional transit service options.
After reviewing all the reports and options to implement a transit service, Parkland County Council commissioned the Acheson Industrial Area Transit Implementation Committee to develop an implementation strategy for public transportation in the Acheson Industrial Area.
The implementation Committee has reviewed and analyzed all the information and options including the regional public transit service (BOLT Transit) connecting Lacombe, Blackfalds and Red Deer. With that information, they have defined the parameters around the service options and have had transit service models presented by the Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) and the Spruce Grove Commuter Transit Service (SGCTS).
After reviewing all options the Committee is recommending that Parkland County implement a staged (2015/2016) transit service in conjunction with the Spruce Grove Commuter Transit Service based on the following premise:
2015 Transit Service (Acheson Zone 1 Sept to Dec)
· Commence Transit Service on September 2015
· Originating from the N.A.I.T. LRT Station
· One Transit Stop Location in North Acheson (Zone 1)
· Transit drop-off in Acheson 5:42 AM, 6:36 AM, 6:51 AM
· Transit pick-up in Acheson 4:41 PM, 5:25 PM, 5:45 PM
· Estimated Cost of Transit Operations $52,200 (Sept to Dec)
· Estimated Cost of ETS Administration $2,400 (Sept to Dec)
· Estimated Cost of SGCTS Management/Administration $5,200 (Sept to Dec)
· Total Cost of Acheson Zone 1 Transit Service in 2015 = $59,800
2016 Transit Service (Acheson Zone 1 Jan to Dec & Acheson Zone 3 Sept to Dec)
· The above Zone 1 Service Jan to Dec (full year - 2016)
· Commence additional Transit Service (Zone 3) on September 2016
· Zone 3 Service Originating from the South Campus Station
· One Transit Stop Location in Acheson Zone 3
· Transit drop-off in Acheson Zone 3 - 6:36 AM, 7:21 AM, 8:04 AM
· Transit pick-up in Acheson Zone 3 - 4:33 PM, 5:33 PM, 6:33 PM
· Estimated Cost Zone 3 Transit Operations $67,100 (Sept to Dec)
· Estimated Cost Zone 1 Transit Operations $159,300(Jan to Dec)
· Estimated Annual Cost of ETS Administration $8,600
· Estimated Cost of SGCTS Management/Administration $22,600
· Total Cost of Acheson Zone 1 & 3 Transit Service in 2016 = $257,600
2017 Transit Service (Acheson Zone 1 & Zone 3 Full Annual Operation - Cost reduction due to the addition of Spruce Grove bus ownership)
· Acheson Zone 1 & 3 Transit Service (full year)
· Zone 1 Transit Service Originating from the N.A.I.T. LRT Station
· Zone 3 Service Originating from the South Campus Station
· One Transit Stop Location in both Acheson Zone 1 & 3
· Transit drop-off and pick times as identified above
· Estimated Cost Zone 1 Transit Operations $133,000
· Estimated Cost Zone 3 Transit Operations $184,000
· Estimated Annual Cost of ETS Administration $11,800
· Estimated Cost of SGCTS Management/Administration $37,000
· Total Annual Cost of Acheson Zone 1 & 3 Transit Service in 2017 = $365,800
The total financial cost of this service will ultimately include the construction of two transit terminals; one located in Zone 1 and a second terminal located in Zone 3. The capital cost to construct a permanent terminal is estimated at approximately $350,000 each plus property acquisition if required (~$500,000/site). It is proposed that temporary transit terminals be established for the pilot project to minimize that cost. Construction at smaller locations such as adjacent the Acheson Zone signing areas or the use of other smaller areas that are capable of handling the pilot project traffic should be reviewed and utilized if possible.
The transit service will generate some revenue however, it will not be substantial upon commencement. The revenue that is generated will be captured by the SGCTS and will be considered in the annual operating cost for the County.
In reviewing the financial model to operate and pay for this service, Council may wish to consider a transportation Public Utility charge for the benefitting area. This charge would remove the financial burden of the service from the tax base not directly benefitting from the service.
In summary, it is has been recognized that a public transportation service will enhance and stimulate the potential industrial growth and opportunities in the Acheson Industrial Area. Without a safe, efficient and reliable public transportation service, employees will struggle to gain access to employment in the Acheson Industrial Area and businesses will to not have a competitive labour pool to draw from. With that in mind, the current conditions and lack of public transportation continues to be a deterrent for some businesses to locate in the industrial area.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications
2014 Strategic Plan - Economy - Establish an environment that attracts businesses and allows them to succeed.
2014 Strategic Plan - Governance - Deliver quality services in an efficient and economical manner that enables development and growth.
Financial Impact:
Cost: 2015 = $59,800
2016 = $257,600
2017 = $365,800
Additional costs will likely be required for construction of transit terminals, including possible acquisition of land.
Source of Funding: 2015/16/17 Budget