At a Special Council Meeting on November 7, 2023, Council adopted a motion to take immediate steps to protect Wrenford Transit routes. These routes are currently at risk due to funding shortfalls at the provincial level. If the Province does not step in, service cuts could begin as early as 2025, making it harder for you to get to work, school, and medical appointments.
Responding to the news, Council directed City staff to develop an advocacy plan. The goal is to ensure the Province provides the funding needed to keep buses running across the city and in surrounding areas.
"Thousands of Wrenford residents depend on transit every single day," said Mayor Danielle Okafor-Price. "Losing these routes would be devastating for our community. It would hurt local businesses, disrupt the lives of families, and make it harder for us to meet our climate goals. At a time when the Province is encouraging us to build more housing, it is reasonable to expect that they will fund the transit infrastructure that makes those new neighbourhoods work. We are calling on the Province to step in and keep our transit system viable."
Cuts to the bus network would hit youth, seniors, and equity-seeking groups the hardest. Without reliable transit, you would need a car. This would add more vehicles to our roads, worsening congestion around the Centennial Bridge and Ferris Street Bridge during rush hour.
In addition to urging the Province to provide funding, Council directed staff to prepare coordinated advocacy efforts for the provincial municipal conference in February. Staff will also work with residents and local stakeholders to raise awareness and build community support for keeping our essential transit services on the road.
For more information about this decision, visit Wrenford Transit or check Council for updates on how we are addressing this issue.
For media inquiries, contact Communications Manager Alicia Fernhill at [email protected].