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Changes afoot to make transit more efficient continued from p.1 that will meet the needs of our community by making our transit system easier to use." The Town held several focus groups, conducted hundreds of stakeholder interviews and through public surveys of both riders and non-riders, collected input into the plan that sets out the vision for transit until 2021. Oakville Transit Director Barry Cole said ridership on Oakville Transit is currently growing at a rate of 1.7 per cent per year. Under the plan, Cole says transit ridership would increase from 3.1 million rides a year to more than five million rides a year by 2020. All these new rides increase Oakville Transit's cost-recovery 5.2 per cent to 35.7 per cent. What all this means is over the course of the five years the plan is in place Oakville Transit's reliance on tax support is expected to dip by 1.7 per cent. "This comprehensive plan seeks to streamline Oakville Transit's operations with a prudent fiscal approach; specifically focusing on service improvements, affordability, sustainability and innovation," said Cole. "The plan has been carefully crafted to introduce a series of initiatives to improve the customer experience while making the most efficient use of existing resources." Cole said the plan reallocates $4.6 million to better use by doing things like eliminating six transit routes with low ridership. The plan will also see the use of smaller buses in some areas. The main recommendations in the plan approved by council include: · Increasing frequency of service: Cole said frequency of service is the single biggest driver of transit ridership. This plan seeks to increase frequency while minimizing additional investment; · Improving GO Train connectivity:Oakville Transit will see improved connectivity with GO train service as it delivers 15 minute frequency during peak service hours on Oakville Transit's primary routes and matches GO Transit's 30-minute frequency during the midday period; · Providing direct access to the new Oakville Hospital:In December, conventional and specialized transit services will access the new hospital using the three fully-accessible bus stop locations on the hospital grounds; · Enabling Transit First in north Oakville: In July, Oakville Transit insee Full on p.7 3 | Thursday, August 20, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com inside today's Spotlight Health Arts Beaver www.insideHALTON.com 6 32 34 Sports Classified 36 41 For home delivery & customer service call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online at www.oakvillebeaver.com Pharmasave Drugs, Metro, 3 for 1 Glasses, M&M Meats, RMP Athletic Locker, Halton Furniture, Loblaws, Bath Depot, Rona, P&G Brandsaver, Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Lowes, Bentley Leather, Food Basics, SprayNet, Hudson's Bay Co., Smart Source, Leon's Furniture, National Sports, Home Outfitters, Fortinos, Globo Shoes, Bass Pro Shops, Beddington's Bed & Bath, Golf Town, Rexall, Pharma Plus, Brick Mattress, Sport Chek, Toys R Us, Longo's, Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart, Sears, Centennial Windows, Best Buy, Home Depot, Canadian Tire, Drug Trading, Staples, Michael's, Kitchen Stuff Plus, Sobeys, Freshco, The Brick sT Ce! a l n a H C moving sale SO u t h O a k v i l l e C e n t Re Skyway Jewellers % off* *All flyers not necessarily delivered to all homes 40 seleCT ReG. PRiCe* 60-90 % off* seleCT ReG. PRiCe* Great Family DininG For over 40 years! 10k & 14k PReCiOuS and Semi-PReCiOuS jewelleRy lamPe BeRGeR THomas saBo GiftwaRe SteRlinG SilveR esPe (scents & lamps) Visit our new location today! 2420 Lakeshore rd., W., Oakville Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner 3 day Sale *S a l e e x Cl u d e S Pa n d O R a 905-827-4851 South Oakville Centre · 1515 Rebecca St. · 905.469.0520 Mon. - Sat. 8am - 9pm Sun. 8am - 3pm www.skywayjewellers.com Oakville locations 345 Lakeshore Rd. East, Suite 312 180 Oak Park Blvd., Suite 107 #YDsummer YD.COM (289) 327-2407 Ready to drive towards a final summer adventure? We've got the keys There's still time! Young Drivers will help you end your summer right. Enroll today for Young Drivers' express four-day course. Put the brakes on high insurance prices. Register today and save. The best insurance you can buy.