Major shift in works for east-end transit network

In a city memo to the transit committee, city staff members noted Blair Station would be the primary connection with the new rail line for services from the east. That means all current express and rapid transit routes from Orléans would end at Blair Station, where customers would transfer to the rail line. Express and local routes within Orléans, meanwhile, would be combined and there would be a single route operating from each area directly to Blair Station. “Place d’Orléans would be less of a focal point for local bus operations than it is now,” the memo continued.

The Place d’Orléans Station would be used primarily by those heading to that area of Orléans or those using the park and ride lot next to the station, according to the memo. Route 95, meanwhile, would change from its present form and “operate as frequently as required to provide additional capacity needed” between Blair Station and Trim.

Orléans Coun. Bob Monette expressed some concern about the changes – specifically any related to route 95 – but noted it’s still early in the planning process. He added area councillors wanted Blair to be the eastern hub. In fact, they fought to get LRT extended at least that far into the east.

Orléans Chamber of Commerce executive director Peter Stewart also indicated it’s still too early to know what sort of impact redirecting routes to Blair Station will have on local development and commerce.

Stewart, who is on one of the city’s business advisory groups, said he asked about bus routes and was told it’s so far out the city couldn’t even comment on it. “A lot can change in our community,” he said. “Who knows what will happen.”

Minto owns land across from the mall, he noted, and transit patterns could change if they choose to build an office at the location. There’s also talk of the Cumberland Transitway extension, he added, and another transit station could be built at Tenth Line, meaning some riders might be diverted from Place d’Orléans, regardless.

Stewart also questioned how many riders taking express routes now actually get off at Place d’Orléans or simply go straight home. “A lot probably stop at Place d’Orléans, but a lot probably kept on going home and went back to Place d’Orléans later,” he said. “I think it’s one of those things we’ll have to deal with as it gets a little closer and shovels are in the ground,” Stewart added about the impact of the proposed project.

Shoppers at the mall mostly drive, although there is some traffic from bus connections, said Place d’Orléans general manager Chris St. Amand. If some commuter routes end up bypassing the mall, that shouldn’t have any negative impact, he indicated. “We value the transit station here,” he said, but noted there’s a downside. Since the OC Transpo park and ride lot fills up early in the morning, there’s added pressure on the shopping centre’s space. Even the extra park and ride lots at Trim and Millennium have thus far failed to alleviate the pressure, St. Amand indicated. “We accommodate more than 500 cars per week for transit,” he said, adding it’s a goodwill gesture that means extra costs for the shopping centre, which has to pay for snow removal and security.

If east-end transit does change, St. Amand said it might help alleviate some of the challenges Place d’Orléans has faced.

Despite being in the early stages, Monette indicated councillors will examine the full impact transit changes will have in the east. With three east-end councillors concerned about ridership, he said, residents can be sure there are three people at the city “on top of it.”