Airdrie Transit staff received approval from City council to go ahead with a request for proposal (RFP) process to develop a new Transit Master Plan (TMP) for Airdrie. The members of council unanimously approved staff’s request at the May 19 meeting.
Transit Co-ordinator Chris MacIssac told council the TMP would help Airdrie Transit operate in the future.
“We need some greater structure and policy direction when it comes to transit,” he said. “This is an opportunity for council to have input before we go to tender and to ensure any needs council has identified in the community as it pertains to public transit can be addressed in the master plan.”
MacIsaac said the TMP would have four main objectives, including looking at the services currently being provided, service standards, current service delivery models and a formal policy framework, including a multi-year vision for transit in Airdrie.
“It’s looking at our connection with the customer and how our service provides for that customer,” he said.
MacIsaac said the proposal to proceed to RFP had been presented to the Community Services Advisory Board (CSAB) earlier in the month and endorsed.
“I think it’s terrific,” Mayor Peter Brown said. “I can’t think what you’d add onto it. I think the concerns you mentioned are of interest to all of us as it relates to development, communities that don’t have service.”
The RFP will be advertised in late May 2015, according to MacIssac. Council, the CSAB and other stakeholders will be invited to participate in future consultation. The contract to develop the TMP is anticipated to be awarded in July, consultation with stakeholders to happen in September and October with recommendations coming to council and the CSAB in February 2016.
