The Kingston City Council has been asked to consider withdrawing from and dissolving the Kingston Area Transportation Council (KATC) at its next meeting on August 12, 2025. This petition calls for an immediate pause on this process and establishment of a comprehensive dialogue among the stakeholders to fully assess the implications before any voting procedures are finalized.

For decades, the KATC has been an integral part of Kingston's transportation planning, ensuring that the needs of the city's residents are prioritized and directing the efficient use of resources. This sudden move towards withdrawal without an inclusive consultation undermines the principles of transparency and community engagement that Kingston thrives upon.

It is crucial that the community, along with transportation experts and policymakers, come together to have an open dialogue. This step is necessary to explore alternative solutions that might better serve the interests of Kingston without severing ties with an important transportation Commission.

Recent data has shown that cities with robust and collaborative public transport systems witness sustained economic growth and a better quality of life for their citizens. Kingston should aim to maintain and even strengthen its ties with transportation councils rather than dissolving them without due consideration.

We urge Kingston Council to defer the planned vote on withdrawal from the KATC's and establish a process where citizens' voices and other stakeholders can be heard and evaluated. Better solutions often emerge from constructive dialogue and informed consensus.

Sign this petition to request that a carefully considered decision is made, with thorough community involvement, to ensure the lasting benefits for Kingston's public transport system and its residents.