Loyalist Township is looking at different rural transit options this week.

The rural transit study report (RTS report) presents two possible options to extend service to Bath and Odessa. The first option includes new rural routes using a minibus, as well as a limited service to Bath, Taylor-Kidd Industrial Park and Odessa. The second would be to extend Route 10 using two Kingston Transit vehicles to include new branches out to Bath via Taylor-Kidd Industrial Park and Odessa.

Loyalist Township staff presented council with the RTS report at their Dec. 11 meeting. The report, titled, "Bringing Commuter Public Transportation to Rural Kingston, Gananoque, South Frontenac, and Loyalist" provides analysis statistics from public and stakeholder consultation. It also includes a brief summary of some current transit initiatives in the township.

In the report, staff noted consultants have projected costs over five years for the township to start at $329,000 in year 1, and increase to $354,000 in year 5. Projected revenue ranges from $43,000 in year 1 to $87,000 in year 5.

With the various transit initiatives currently in action, and the new options from the RTS report, staff noted that council may wish to pursue options for developing an overall Loyalist transportation plan.

Staff will provide a further report early next year on possible next steps, recommendations, and options for funding.

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