Citizens Wanted for Transit Task Force
August 25, 2005

The city is advertising for eight citizen positions on a task force to guide the expansion of HSR and DARTS service. The notice was just published last week in the Hamilton Spectator, but requires applications be submitted by September 2nd. Seven additional positions will be filled by organizations ranging from the Transit Users Group to the Seniors Advisory Council and the Chamber of Commerce. The ad says a task force member must be "a supporter of public transit".

The task force will advise a Transit Steering Committee composed of four city councillors on how provincial gas tax monies should be spent to improve public transit in Hamilton. The councillors are Chad Collins, Brian McHattie, Sam Merulla and Murray Ferguson. Their steering committee will report to city council through the public works standing committee.

The city must submit a transit master plan and a growth and assessment management plan to the province by the end of this year. The task force will also advise on future allocation of gas tax monies that are expected to reach $12 million a year. The provincial government requires that the monies be spent on improvements to public transit services.

Enhancements suggested by transit staff include steps to increase ridership, improve safety and efficiency including better mobility for persons with disabilities and to "stabilize/reduce the cost of service to transit users."

The application form for citizens can be downloaded from
http://www.hamilton.ca/Living-Here/Transit/pdf/ProvincialGasTaxApplication.pdf

The terms of reference for both the Task Force and the council steering committee can be found at
http://hamiltoncatch.org/pdfs/Gas-Tax-Steering-Committee.pdf.

More information is available from the Manager of Transit Planning, Jim Dahms, at 546-2424 extension 1858 or jdahms@hamilton.ca.