Transportation in Dufferin County: Stakeholder Perspectives

Dufferin 2013 Transportation Stakeholders Report

A wide range of Dufferin-Area service providers in health care, social services, justice, employment and education from across the County were recently interviewed by the Dufferin Transportation Learning Group to help create a better understanding of transportation needs for citizens in Dufferin County.  Below are some of the highlights taken from these interviews:

• A range of  transportation options are currently available to different groups and at different costs throughout the County.
• It would be helpful for all service providers and citizens tobe able to access  a list of these current services that is regularly updated and available to all.
• Certain sectors of the population are most affected by transportation barriers.  These  include:
  • Seniors, particularly those living with chronic health issues and limited family supports
  • Youth, primarily related to after-school activities such as medical/social service appointments, employment, and recreation
  • People with Low Incomes or Living in Poverty – particularly those in rural areas
  • People living with a physical or developmental handicap

• Limited transportation created challenges for participating in programs and services and also posed barriers in engaging in other aspects of life, such as: Attending medical or legal appointments
• • Travelling to places of employment
  • Shopping for groceries, or utilizing the food bank
  • Searching for housing
  • Engaging in educational, recreational and volunteer activities
• Many Dufferin organizations address transportation issues in some way (volunteers, funding client transportation etc.) and this financial investment is often significant (ranging from $60,000 to $260,000 per year). This can draw resources away from programs and services.
• Barriers to using existing transportation include:
  • Prohibitive cost of transit passes;
  • Limited routes and/or hours of service
  • No transit service outside of Orangeville
  • Limited GO Bus service
  • Parking fees for those with multiple medical appointments
  • Public transit not an option for individuals with some health conditions
• Other “costs” due to a lack of transportation options include:
  •  Preventable health care costs due to difficulty accessing needed health management services;
  • Costly inefficiencies for many service organizations
  • A barrier to employment
  • Limits to growth for local businesses