Accessibility and Transit
Asked by Anonymous · a month ago
Accessibility issues. Our town is not accessible to get around- our town has several people in the comunity who need accessibility and don't get it. There are only 3 accessible buses in all of Simcoe County. Linx transit buses do not accommodate people who use mobility scooters. Linx transit stops are limited and Tottenham is completely inaccessible. This has been brought up to council members in the past and only one has taken the opportunity to take the time to respond. I would like to hear from all candidates, as it is not just the elderly who face these issues but families, children and parents. How can we connect New Tecumseth and make it so that EVERYONE can access resources and spaces?
Wendy Gabrek's answer
You're right, accessibility is an issue that will become increasingly important as New Tecumseth grows, and it isn't only an issue for seniors.
One of our challenges is that LINX Transit is operated by the County of Simcoe, not the Town, and its current routes don't provide equal access across New Tecumseth, especially in Tottenham.
The Town does have a Taxi Subsidy Program for eligible residents with disabilities, which helps offset the cost of accessible transportation. I support continuing that program, but I don't think we should consider that the complete solution.
In the short term, I would like to see the Town continue advocating to the County for better accessible transportation and improved connections throughout New Tecumseth, while also reviewing whether our existing subsidy program is meeting residents' needs and where the gaps remain.
Longer term, I believe public transit will have to become part of New Tecumseth's growth conversation. Operating our own transit system comes with a significant cost, and today we may not have the population or tax base to support the level of service residents would expect but as we grow, that equation will change.
We should be planning for that now rather than waiting until our population has doubled and trying to build a system after the fact.
