Transit Master Plan

Norfolk is developing a Transit Master Plan that will help the County plan its future transit network to support efficient development and growth. 

Project Overview

The Transit Master Plan (TMP) will provide a comprehensive review, insight, and strategies to reach growth areas within the County for the next ten (10) years, as well as recommendations for longer-term strategies.

The Transit Master Plan Final Report will be presented to Council in the Winter of 2025.

Timeline

• May 2024: Project launch
• May-July 2024: Discovery and current state review; public engagement Round 1
• July-November 2024: Options analysis; public engagement Round 2
• November 2024-January 2025: Options refinement 
• December 2024-March 2025: Transit Master Plan Final Report 

Background and context

Norfolk County provides a contracted public transit service, Ride Norfolk, which has operated since 2011. The service has traditionally been a fixed-route service. In July 2023, Ride Norfolk moved from the local fixed-route model to a one-year piloted on-demand model with Blaise Transit. Council approved a Brantford service as part of the Community Transportation Grant and will continue its fixed route with two daily routes until at least 2025.

Norfolk County has not yet completed a comprehensive review of the transit network. However, the county approved funding in the 2024 budget to undertake a Transit Master Plan (TMP). A comprehensive and sustainable Transit plan is essential for Norfolk County to continue planning for efficient development and growth within the County.

Engagement sessions and surveys

In creating the TMP, we aim to respond to community and partner engagement, including user and public needs, to best address gaps in the current system and build a future network that responds to residents' needs. Two rounds of public engagement will be conducted as part of the development of the TMP.

Round 1: Envisioning Success (June- July 2024) 

Round 1 aims to learn about the preferences, practices, behaviours, needs, and desires of transit users and stakeholders regarding Ride Norfolk's current and future state.

Key objectives for Round 1 of public engagement are:

• To understand the public’s perspective of Ride Norfolk’s services, including:
  • Current and past successes of the existing service
  • Current rider behaviour and needs
  • Areas to focus on for the future
• To introduce the project to the public

Round 1 engagement activities include:

• An online survey
• Pop-Up session(s)

Round 2: Taking Action (October-December 2024)

Round 2 is focused on taking information and analysis to the public and stakeholders for review and input. This is to confirm that the developed solutions are the right fit and reflect their needs.

Key objectives for Round 2 of public engagement are:

• To share concepts related to the future network for the county and future services
• To gather feedback on proposed service changes for the County
• To receive guidance on decision points or conflicting priorities (e.g., trade-offs, balancing level of investment with service quality)

Round 2 engagement activities include:

• An online survey
• Pop-Up session(s)
• In-Person Public Information Centres (PICs)

How you can be involved

Share your ideas!

• Visit our EngageNorfolk page!
• Write: Ride Norfolk Transit, 12 Gilbertson Dr, Simcoe, ON N3Y 3N3
• Email: transit@norfolkcounty.ca
• Phone: 519-428-3178 or 226-NORFOLK, extension 8067