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Irena Pozgaj-Jones, Project Manager, Transportation September 2014 2014 Ontario Works Transit Survey: Final Results
Irena Pozgaj-Jones, Project Manager, Transportation
September 2014
2014 Ontario Works Transit Survey:
Final Results
2
Overview
Background
Survey Purpose and Objectives
Methodology
Respondent Demographics
Findings
Bus usage
Opinions about the bus pass
Conclusions
Transportation Challenges and Suggestions
3
Background
4
Background
The County of Simcoe regularly supports transportation
costs for eligible Ontario Works clients for medical,
educational, and employment/training needs.
In some areas, taxi cab costs represent a significant
portion of Ontario Works program expenditures.
The implementation of the transit link between
Collingwood and Wasaga Beach was an opportunity to
provide Ontario Works clients with an alternative mode of
transportation, as well as to support the new transit link.
Subsidized bus passes are now regularly provided to
eligible Ontario Works clients and have resulted in
significant program cost-savings; but what do Ontario
Works clients think?
5
Purpose
To determine the impact having a bus pass instead of
subsidized taxi service has had on the lives of Ontario
Works clients in the Collingwood/Wasaga Beach area.
Objectives
To determine the level of satisfaction that Ontario Works
clients have with receiving a subsidized bus pass;
To understand how having a bus pass has impacted the
lives of Ontario Works clients;
To understand bus usage patterns of Ontario Works clients;
To develop a demographic profile of survey respondents.
Survey Purpose & Objectives
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Methodology
During the month of July, 2014, Ontario Works clients in the
Collingwood office receiving a subsidized bus pass were invited
to participate in a satisfaction survey.
53 bus passes were handed out, for a response rate of 68%.
The survey invitation was initiated by Ontario Works clerical staff.
Interested clients received a survey package consisting of a
survey purpose letter, a questionnaire, an envelope in which to
seal the completed questionnaire to maintain anonymity, and a
ballot card for the $25 gift card incentive draw.
The ballot card and sealed questionnaire were collected
separately to maintain anonymity.
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Respondent
Demographics
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Respondent Demographics (1)
The majority of
respondents were:
Between the ages of
25 and 44 (with 55-65
also signifying a
sizeable cohort);
Male;
Single (with no
children or spouse).
9%
29% 29%
11%
23%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
20-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-65
n=35
Age
Female38%
Male62%
Gender
n=34
64%
17%11% 8%
0%
25%
50%
75%
Single (nochildren orspouse)
Single parent Couple, nochildren
Couple, withchildren
n=36
Family Type
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Respondent Demographics (2)
Only 5 (15%) respondents had accessible transit
requirements, such as a stroller, wheelchair, or walker.
The majority were from the more urban areas of Collingwood
or Wasaga Beach.
Wasaga Beach47%
Collingwood44%
Other6%
Clearview3%
Residence
n=36
Rural6%
Suburban23%
Urban71%
Community Type
n=34
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Findings:Bus Usage
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Bus Usage
The majority of respondents
have been using the bus
pass for more than 6
months, with two-fifths
using it for between 6
months to 1 year, and just
over a quarter for between
1 to 2 years.
Almost all respondents
(94%) walk to the bus stop,
while a handful bike.
A few respondents get a
ride or take a taxi.
3%
19%
42%
28%
8%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
Firstmonth
< 6mos
6 mosto 1 yr
1 to2 yrs
> 2 yrs
n=36
Length of time using a bus pass
3%
6%
14%
94%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Taxi
Get aride
Bike
Walk
n=36
Usual method of getting to the bus stop
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Frequency and time of use
Almost half of respondents use their bus pas more than
once a day, while another quarter use it about once a day.
46%
23%20%
6%3% 3%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
More thanonce a day
About once a day
Few timesa week
About oncea week
Few timesa month
About oncea month
n=35
Frequency of bus pass use
62%
74%
74%
82%
82%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Weekdayevenings
Weekends
Weekdayafternoons
Weekdaymornings
Weekdaymidday
n=34
Most frequent times of bus pass use Weekdays (midday and
mornings) are the most
frequent time of use.
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Method of Transportation:
Before bus pass and currently
7%31%
28%24%
10%
74%13%13%
16%12%
20%20%20%
4%23%
31%23%
19%
4%
12%28%
48%
4%4%4%
77%
47%47%
3%3%
50%30%
17%3%
4%23%
15%19%
15%
11%26%
44%15%
8%4%
20%64%
4%
4%77%
100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
All the timeOften
SometimesRarelyNever
All the timeOften
SometimesRarelyNever
All the timeOften
SometimesRarelyNever
All the timeOften
SometimesRarelyNever
All the timeOften
SometimesRarelyNever
All the timeOften
SometimesRarelyNever
Before bus pass With bus pass
Bus
Walk
Bike
Ride from friend
Taxi
Borrow car
n = 25 - 31
Using the
bus more
Walking less (as
transportation)
Still biking, but not
as much
Relying less
on rides
from friends
Relying
less on
taxis
Respondents are…
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How the bus pass is used
The primary reason for using the bus pass is medical
appointments, followed by running errands (like groceries),
getting to Ontario Works appointments, and job searching.
The other reasons included picking up children for weekends,
and recreational/social reasons.
6%
29%
29%
34%
57%
60%
71%
83%
86%
94%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Other
School
Going to work
Visit friends
Employment workshops
Appointments at other community agencies
Job searching
Ontario Works appointments
To run errands (like groceries, etc)
Medical appointments
n=35
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Findings:Opinions about the bus pass
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Satisfaction
Overall, respondents are very satisfied that the bus pass is meeting
their transportation needs; the majority are very satisfied, a handful
are satisfied, and no respondents are dissatisfied.
For the majority of respondents, their transportation needs have
gotten better because of the monthly bus pass;
Only 2 respondents indicated transportation needs have remained the same
No respondents indicated that their transportation needs have gotten worse
83%
11%6%
0% 0%0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Verysatisfied
Somewhatsatisfied
Neutral Dissatisfied Verydissatisfiedn=35
Overall, how satisfied are you that a bus pass meets your transportation needs?
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Preference
With the exception of one respondent, the vast majority
indicated they prefer having a bus pass over the
transportation used prior to having the bus pass.
Having a bus pass
Transportation used before having bus
pass
1
33
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Preference: why?
It's easier when I have
my kids to get to
appointments
It saves me $300 - $500
monthly on having a vehicle!
Flexibility to use
when needed!
I'm unable to walk anymore and the
transportation services I receive from
OW are essential for my living
Don't have to depend on
others to get to appointments,
and helps in my job search
Verbatim comments indicated by italicized text
Reasons were: convenience; flexibility, affordability;
increase in mobility; environmentally friendly; and a
better option than walking.
Walking with groceries/
walking to Collingwood is not a
preference
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Suggestions for improvements
20 respondents provided suggestions about what would
improve having a bus pass, including*:
Having a children’s bus pass (3);
More bus routes available (3);
Longer hours of service (3);
Laminate the paper pass (2);
Friendlier drivers (2);
Nothing – it’s great! (2);
Transit connection to Barrie (1).
* Frequency of response indicated in brackets.
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General Transportation
Challenges
Inconvenience of being limited to the bus schedule/route;
Not having a car (which would increase convenience of
travel);
Travelling to out-of-town destinations;
Limited employment opportunities;
Getting to appointments on time;
Need a children’s bus pass;
Being able-bodied (when walking for transportation).
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General Transportation
Challenges – Verbatim
Having to use someone
else's schedule
Weather, waiting, walking
(back, knees, etc).
No vehicle. Job selection is
limited due to hours the bus runs
Getting my special needs child to and
from appointments [is a challenge].
The bus pass helps greatly.
Getting where the bus
does not travel to
Verbatim comments indicated by italicized text
Getting to appointments
in BarrieGetting somewhere for
a certain time
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Conclusions
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Summary:
Respondent Demographics
The majority of respondents were:
Between the ages of 25 and 44;
Male;
Single (with no children or spouse).
A very small proportion (15%) had accessible transit
requirements, such as a stroller, wheelchair, or walker.
The majority were from the more urban areas of
Collingwood or Wasaga Beach.
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Summary:
Bus Usage (1)
The majority of respondents have been using the bus
pass for more than half a year.
Almost all respondents (94%) walk to the bus stop, while
a handful bike.
A few respondents get a ride or take a taxi.
Almost half of respondents use their bus pas more than
once a day, while another quarter use it about once a
day.
Weekdays (midday and mornings) are the most frequent
time of use.
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Summary:
Bus Usage (2)
With a bus pass, respondents are:
Using the bus more frequently;
Walking less (as transportation);
Still biking, but not as frequently;
Relying less on rides from a friend;
Relying less on taxi service.
Primary reasons for using the bus pass includes medical
appointments, followed by running errands (like
groceries), getting to Ontario Works appointments, and
job searching.
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Summary:
Opinions about the bus pass (1)
Overall, respondents are very satisfied that the bus pass
is meeting their transportation needs.
For the majority of respondents, their transportation
needs have gotten better with the monthly bus pass.
With the exception of one respondent, the vast majority
indicated they prefer having a bus pass over the
transportation used prior to having the bus pass.
Reasons were: convenience, flexibility, affordability,
increase in mobility, environmentally friendly, and a
better option than walking.
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Summary:
Opinions about the bus pass (2)
Some of the suggestions for improving having a bus
pass included: having a children’s bus pass, having
more routes, longer hours of service, and laminating the
paper pass.
General transportation challenges faced include:
Inconvenience of being limited to a bus schedule/route;
Not having a car (which would increase travel convenience);
Travelling to out-of-town locations;
Limited employment opportunities;
Getting to appointments on time.
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Conclusions
• Ontario Works clients in the Collingwood office are very satisfied with having a bus pass, and the vast majority prefer having a bus pass over the transportation used prior to having the bus pass.
Satisfaction is high
• Almost half of respondents using their bus pass more than once a day.
• Bus travel is used for medical appointments, running errands, getting to appointments, and job searching.
The bus pass is used frequently
• A bus pass provides a convenient, flexible, and affordable method of travel, especially for people for whom accessibility is a concern.
• However, travel is still limited within areas not covered by the bus route.
Transportation needs have gotten better because of the monthly bus pass
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Transportation challenges
(and recommendations)
• Increase the bus routesNeed to travel in areas not covered by the bus route
• Provide a children’s bus passTravelling with children
• Increase hours of service/routesBeing limited to a bus schedule
• Increase hours of service/routesGetting to appointments on time
• Increase hours of service/routesEmployment opportunities can
be limited
• Laminate it, or provide plastic covers
The paper monthly pass is not durable
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Contact Information
Irena Pozgaj-Jones
Project Manager, Transportation
County of Simcoe
705-726-9300 Ext.1935
