This update will be the final one for our petition.

On June 21st Regional Council voted on and passed the extension of Route 34 to cover some of the service lost discontinuing Route 2. This is published on the region's website with a link to the relevant report. We appreciate the efforts GRT and region staff have put in to creating a workable compromise.

The extension of Route 34 is slated to begin on September 5th. Service would be available Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. No weekend, no holiday service.

Removal of service signage is still up on Route 2 stops, I'm looking for GRT to get those updated to communicate the change of service and assure the many riders along Route 2 will still be able to rely on public transit.

Is it a perfect solution? No. There are valid concerns about the service gaps in off-peak and weekends, loss of the coverage in the Forest Heights neighbourhood, and the lack of direct transfer to the LRT at Borden. It is critical to continue to campaign for a robust, inclusive transit network for all our neighbourhoods and openly communicate transit successes and shortfalls. I believe in the potential of Route 34 and moreover in the cooperation between the public and infrastructure built for public use.

A change that cannot be highlighted enough is that decisions to remove or change transit services in our region will never happen this way again. This was eye-opening for many in regional and leadership roles, and that's because of you.  Thank you all for signing, caring and showing up. Decision makers want to hear from the citizens they represent and work for and I'm grateful for everyone who's given time and support so we were heard. 

I'll be closing down the petition this week and forwarding all information (signatures, comments, updates) to relevant Regional and Grand River Transit representatives. 

Enjoy the summer everyone, thank you for your transit advocacy and safe travels!