BUS NETWORK REDESIGN UPDATE

As we come up on November, I wanted to update Ward 5 residents about the upcoming Bus Network Redesign decisions coming before Council.

The proposed Bus Network Redesign has been the source of much discussion and community-led engagement in Ward 5 over the past several years. I have heard from residents all over the Ward concerned about how the changes could impact their ability to get around Edmonton and what it will mean for their families.

This upcoming November 19th, the Urban Planning Committee is scheduled to be presented with the latest Bus Network Redesign report and the proposed on-demand transit solution from ETS (typically referred to as the “first kilometre/last kilometre” service). The latter report is a first for Edmonton, but it is one that I hope will offer practical solutions in areas that may lose bus service or areas still without service. It is clear that Ward 5 will be greatly impacted by the changes proposed and I would not be able to vote on the Redesign without an adequate solution in place.

Although the agenda and reports have not yet been posted for the upcoming November 19 Urban Planning Committee, you can view them by end of day November 7 online at edmonton.ca/meetings. I encourage all residents to review the reports once they are out and share your thoughts with the Committee in person or via submission online to have your say.

I look forward to seeing what ETS has to present and, as always, I encourage you to share your thoughts on this and any other city matters with my office. If you would like to reach out directly, you can connect with me by phone at 780-496-8120, email at sarah.hamilton@edmonton.ca or via twitter @sjlhamilton.