The Town of Deseronto

The Town of Deseronto
The Town of
Deseronto
The Town of Deseronto is a
small municipality with a
population of approximately
1800 people located within
Hastings County situated on
the north eastern shores of
Lake Ontario, the eastern
part of the Bay of Quinte
area.
Hastings
County
Lennox &
Addington
County
Deseronto
Prince
Edward County
The Case for Transit
• All supports and services for low-income
residents are located in the City of Belleville
approximately 30 km west of Deseronto
• All employment and education opportunities are
located in Belleville, Greater Napanee or Prince
Edward County
– Belleville (west 30 km)
– Napanee (east 15 km)
– Prince Edward County (southwest 25 – 44 km)
Seed Funding Obtained
• One time provincial grant – the Employment
Innovations Fund through the Ministry of
Community and Social Services
• $225,000
Indicators
of Success
40 Clients
Employed
Sustainable
Service
The Keys to Success
• Transit Committee
– Mayor of Deseronto
– Councillor of Deseronto
– Hastings County Social Services Director
– Hastings County Social Services Administrative
Assistant to the Director
– Hastings County Job Information Clerk
– Hastings County Social Worker
– Lead Program Supervisor at the local level for the
Ministry of Community and Social Services
The Keys to Success
• Transit Committee
– Mayor of Deseronto
– Councillor of Deseronto
– Hastings County Social Services Director
– Hastings County Social Services Administrative
Assistant to the Director
– Hastings County Job Information Clerk
– Hastings County Social Worker
– Lead Program Supervisor at the local level for the
Ministry of Community and Social Services
The Keys to Success
• Transit Committee
– Mayor of Deseronto
– Councillor of Deseronto
– Hastings County Social Services Director
– Hastings County Social Services Administrative
Assistant to the Director
– Hastings County Job Information Clerk
– Hastings County Social Worker
– Lead Program Supervisor at the local level for the
Ministry of Community and Social Services
The Keys to Success
• Transit Committee
– Mayor of Deseronto
– Councillor of Deseronto
– Hastings County Social Services Director
– Hastings County Social Services Administrative
Assistant to the Director
– Hastings County Job Information Clerk
– Hastings County Social Worker
– Lead Program Supervisor at the local level for the
Ministry of Community and Social Services
The Keys to Success
• Transit Committee
– Mayor of Deseronto
– Councillor of Deseronto
– Hastings County Social Services Director
– Hastings County Social Services Administrative
Assistant to the Director
– Hastings County Job Information Clerk
– Hastings County Social Worker
– Lead Program Supervisor at the local level for the
Ministry of Community and Social Services
Creating Partnerships &
Building Relationships
Prince Edward & Lennox - Addington
Social Services Partnership
• Mutually beneficial partnership
• PELASS will purchase a guaranteed number
of bus passes annually
• Deseronto Transit will institute a new route
geared to service PELASS clients that is
open to everyone
Outcome: Ridership Before & After
Partnership - Increased Revenue
35%
31%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
10%
5%
0%
2%
2008
100%
2009
2010
In 2010 Bus Fare Revenue increased by 43%
Lobbying for Support
2011 – Greater Napanee
Napanee agreed to support us with an annual
commitment of $1,000
• Our presentation included:
–
–
–
–
–
–
From
$18,500
3 year ridership history specific to Napanee
Growth experienced in Prince Edward County
Our operating budget
An overview of the service we were providing
The benefits of Public Transit
An explanation that their support could mean greater
sustainability through the Provincial Gas Tax Funds
To
$105,575
2012 – Tyendinaga Township
Tyendinaga Township agreed to support us with
an annual commitment of $1,000
• Our presentation to Tyendinaga Township was
based on the knowledge of the difference a
small contribution could make to the
sustainability of our service and the value that
Public Transit offers to communities.
From
$105,575
To
$133,991
Provincial Gas Tax Allocation
Bus Fare
Municipal Support
All Other Revenue
Population Served
Ridership
Gas Tax
Funding
Formula
What Were Some of the Challenges
Obtaining Municipal Support?
• Small Municipal budgets are already
financially stretched
• The perception that Public Transit is too costly
a venture; won’t survive and we would be
throwing our money away to support it
• The fear that supporting transit will reduce
the amount of Gas Tax Funds Municipalities
receive from the Federal Government
• Not seeing or recognizing the need
Continuing to Build
Relationships
Vital Signs “Getting Around” Working
Group
In 2013 Deseronto Transit
joined forces with the Vital
Signs “Getting Around”
Working Group
VISION:
"An inter-connected transportation system in Prince
Edward County that is sustainable, barrier-free,
affordable and meets the needs of people in the
community.“
Results from Our Work
• In 2014 Council approved
Intra-City bus service for
residents in the County
• In 2015 Council passed a
motion to financially
support Deseronto Transit
in their region
• In 2016 New Bus Stops
http://countycommunityfoundation.ca/vital-sign-s14.php
Initiatives Still in Progress
• A one stop directory
– GIS Mapping
• Route and Service
collaboration / expansion
Future Initiatives
Partnership with Quinte
Access
• Lower initial outlay of
funds
• Ongoing annual savings
– long term support –
maintenance and license
fees
• Enhanced service delivery
– Linking services
– Avoiding duplication
Partnering has Made an Impact
• Reduced contribution from the Town of
Deseronto to operate
• Increased Gas Tax Funds
• Increased Ridership
• Increased Bus Fare Revenue
• Increased Promotion of Service
Questions?
Deseronto Transit Contact information
Susan Stolarchuk
Administrator
48A Brant St.,
Deseronto, ON K0K 1X0
Phone: 613-396-4008
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.deseronto.ca
Edgar Tumak
Chairperson of Deseronto Transit
Phone: 613-396-5496
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.deseronto.ca