The Milton Transit Five-Year Service Plan and Master Plan Update sets out a strategic vision and re-designed transit network to guide transit planning and operations for 2024-2029 and beyond.

This plan provides Council and senior staff with a roadmap of key requirements and enablers that will help the Town realize its desired transit future over the next five years.

To update the previous plan, the Town and partner Arcadis Professional Services (Canada) Inc. reviewed current transit services and identified potential changes in service delivery methods, service levels and ways to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and ridership uptake.

Key outcomes for the 2029 transit network:

  • Improved reliability
  • More direct routes
  • More frequent service
  • Extended weekday and Saturday service
  • Introduction of Sunday service
  • Longer routes to reduce required transfers
  • New transfer points at Milton Education Village and Kennedy Circle
  • Greater access
  • Re-distribution of OnDemand service areas to optimize performance

Supporting recommendations

In addition to the conventional transit network improvements, the plan identifies supporting programs and initiatives to help Milton increase ridership and provide a high-quality transit experience for customers:

More access+ vehicles and service:

  • An increase in access+ vehicles and service investment to meet growing trip demand and reduce wait times.

Fleet electrification:

  • The plan carries forward existing work to recommend phased implementation of battery-electric buses between now and 2040.

PRESTO fare integration:

  • PRESTO fare payment is recommended for adoption by early 2028 to increase convenience and facilitate seamless transfers.

Marketing and communications:

  • A range of initiatives to increase awareness of Milton Transit’s services, attract new riders and improve customer experience.

Inter-regional connections:

  • Continue to support regional GO Transit and consider connections to Oakville and Mississauga beyond the five-year horizon.

Transit service to new growth areas:

  • OnDemand transit in new development areas, replaced by fixed-route transit service as communities grow and evolve.

Upgraded stops and amenities:

  • Establish a goal of accessible pads at 100 per cent of fixed route stops by 2034.

Comingled service:

  • Continue comingling and debranding of OnDemand and access+ specialized services to maintain resource productivity as part of the “family of services” model.

Key enablers

The following key enablers are required to implement the 2029 transit network and recommendations:

Town-owned bus garage

  • The existing facility is leased and at overcapacity
  • A new and expanded bus garage is essential for adding more transit service
  • There are plans to construct a Town-owned garage that is purpose-built
  • Development anticipated to be achieved within the five-year service plan horizon

Additional full-time equivalent (FTE) staff

  • Additional FTE staff for program support over the five-year plan horizon

Fleet expansion

  • Fleet growth and replacement are critical to enable service expansion for all transit service deliveries
  • State-of-readiness for battery electric buses and a pragmatic transition approach

See the full Milton Transit Five-Year Service Plan and Master Plan Update, which includes the Zero Emission Bus Feasibility Strategy and Fleet Transit Plan.