Milton Transit director responds after report calls service worst in GTA

Reacting to yesterday’s report that claimed Milton Transit is the worst in the GTA, the department’s director released a detailed statement defending the service.

“The Toronto Region Board of Trade’s transit report highlights the challenges growing municipalities face when delivering transit services,” said Tony D’Alessandro, Milton’s director of Transit Services

“The Town of Milton shares the same collective goals to improve transportation systems locally and across the GTHA, to help facilitate and stimulate economic growth.”

D’Alessandro said the report provides a good opportunity for further discussion and for planning next steps.

“We know that Milton Transit must continue to grow, alongside regional transit efforts, if it is to keep pace with population and employment growth while ensuring service sustainability, affordability and accessibility.”

D’Alessandro agreed a lot of work remains to be done and local residents expect more based on the results of the recent Citizen Engagement Survey.

“Ridership is slowly returning after the pandemic, during which we maintained service levels on key routes and added capacity where necessary to manage peak demand.”

He said recent expansion added cross-boundary transit service to, and fare integration with, Halton Hills, Mississauga and Brampton; OnDemand growth into Boyne and Derry Green; and increased school-based connections.

This year, the focus is on long-term service improvement, including:

• Learning more about rider and non-rider needs and expectations in the Milton Transit Five-Year Service Review
• Exploring the electrification of the fleet, including the diesel-to-electric conversion pilot project
• Procurement of additional transit vehicles to address growth
• Building a new transit garage, which will enable growth and electrification