On the buses; a mode of transportation

City's transit system could change significantly soon

By Mark Schadenberg

Woodstock Transit is on par with other municipal services as City staff, including drivers, go above-and-beyond to create a mode of transportation that is not perfect but ideal for the times as costs and deficits must be considered along with routes and scheduling times.

In a previous post, I mentioned that I believe buses should start at 5 a.m., so those employed with a start time of 6 can utilize the convenience. Currently, those 6 a.m. workers are unable to use the service as the first bus routes each morning leave the depot at Dundas and York at 6 a.m. A similar conundrum exists for those on a shift ending at midnight as transit ends weekdays at 10 p.m.

Would it cost a lot more to extend hours 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. weekdays? Most certainly. Would there be an increase in ridership for this notion? I’m confident to indicate -- most certainly. Would the amount the City subsidizes each fare change? Likely no, but the overall annual deficit of the program would increase due to wages and benefits, depreciation and maintenance on the vehicles, signage and bus stops, fuel, and insurance.

The City transit department, which has its office at 944 James with engineering, building inspectors, works, water, and others – is currently revamping the bus system and it’s a task analyzed approximately every 4 years. Should there be more bus routes? Should the buses have more cross-over maps so you transfer at Dundas and York for sure, but also at various other locations scattered around the Friendly City for your convenience and timing? Should the buses go farther east than Queenston and Upper Thames on the north side of Pittock. Has the time arrived that buses should complete a circle route. around Pittock featuring perhaps Devonshire to County Rd 4 and then the 17^th back to Vansittart? (The trek could go both ways on its route.) South of the 401, has the time arrived for transit to move eastward to Alyea instead of turning at Jack Ross on Pattullo? Eastwood is now part of Woodstock, so should buses visit the Oxford Grill on Highway 2?

As a part-time taxi driver, I wouldn’t declare a conflict if hours were extended to 5 a.m. – 1 a.m. each weekday as it’s an improvement or enhancement of an existing amenity.

The 2026 City budget indicates wages for the calendar to be projected at $886,000 for full-time staff and $565,000 for part-time drivers, while transit fares to be guesstimated at $800,000. The City additionally receives money from ‘dedicated gas tax’ at around $600,000, advertising quota at about $85,000 revenue, and an annual transfer of funds from a portion of monies Woodstock receives from Gateway Casino.

As for expenses on the operating / revenue ledger total expenses are just over $4 million, including wages.

Let’s understand that all municipal services are subsidized – the library with no late fees, swimming lessons, free admission to museum and art gallery, police and fire departments, ice-time and ball diamond rentals, free tennis and pickleball hours, city events like Cowapolooza and Fall Fest, and several more.

The Bus Transit Study began late last year and included online participation and an in-person public meeting. City Council will have to approve all changes, so the final report could include options and many possibilities or simply indicate that the full report is recommended to be passed.

Citizens must realize that senior staff always include a recommendation with their report and in the case of transit it would likely be stipulated that any-and-all changes would take effect on Jan. 1, 2027 or another date depending on a timetable to print maps or whether it’s an early decision to be determined by the next council.