Sudbury reviews $750 K transportation wish list

Work on the Greater Sudbury Transit Action Plan will start rolling out this summer.

Sudbury city council approvedthe new plan last night to review the city's transit system, includingHandi-TransitandTransCabservices. This kind of overhaul hasn't happened in decades, according to the city.

The Plan comes aftercounsultationswith TCN,a Canadian firm that focuses on public transportation planning for small- to medium-sized cities.

In 2016, the city announced it was receiving $3.8 million from the federal government'sPublic Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF.)

TCN is recommending four improvements to the city's transit system:

• Contact-less smart cards for fare payment like tap cards
• Better wayfindingor navigationaltools
• 25 new bike racks to ensure all buses are equipped for cyclists
• Accessible bus stop and shelter enhancements

The result pleased Mayor Brian Bigger.

"More accessible and efficient transit is something that I feel strongly about, and something that will improve this service for our residents," Bigger stated in a press release following the vote.

• Plan to encourage walking, cycling, carpooling, public transit in Sudbury
• City of Greater Sudbury wants feedback on transportation plan

The first phase of the Plan will gather ideas and feedback from the community with public consultations and surveys. The first open house is scheduled for June 20.

This information will be used to help draft recommendations to improve public transit for a second round of public feedback in October and November 2017.

$750,000 is earmarked for the improvements.