Peterborough Transit Rolls Out New Youth Transit Pass Pilot Program

Peterborough Transit is launching its new Youth Transit Pass Pilot Program, providing free transit access to youth ages 13 to 18 after school, on weekends, on holidays and during school breaks. 

The Youth Transit Pass pilot program was approved by City Council as part of the City’s Transportation Master Plan. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The City of Peterborough wants the Youth Transit Pass Program to support youth mobility, improve access to opportunities, and encourage long-term transit use among young residents.

Early and affordable access to transit removes barriers to opportunity, supports youth mobility and participation, and improves access to employment, recreation, and community activities according to Keith Riel and Don Vassiliadis, Municipal Operations Co-Chairs Councillors

“The Youth Transit Pass Program gives young people the opportunity to build confidence and independence while becoming more familiar with public transit,” they said in a joint statement. “By providing free transit access during key times along with rider orientation, the program will help reduce cost and access barriers for youth across Peterborough.”

“Free transit for youth was a strong request from high school students, members of the Peterborough Youth Commission and Youth Council. City Council endorsed this initiative unanimously,” said Council appointee to the Youth Commission, Councillor Lesley Parnell. “Free transit for youth enables their independence, mobility to participate in after-school sports, jobs, recreational activities, plus they learn to be comfortable with public transit and are more likely to become lifelong transit users.”
 
Students participating in the Youth Transit Pass Program can ride Peterborough Transit free of charge: 

• Monday to Friday after school 

• Weekends 

• Statutory holidays  

• Summer vacation  

• Winter break  

• March Break  

Eligible youth can register online to receive a Peterborough Youth Transit Pass. 

Peterborough Transit’s regular bus routes operate seven days a week, and all buses are fully accessible.

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Maria Street Swing Bridge to Be Closed For Repairs This Friday Morning

The Maria Street Swing Bridge is closed to vehicular traffic, cyclists and pedestrians this Friday from 8 a.m. to noon for a mechanical repair, announced by Parks Canada on Thursday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

During the closure, detour signage is being installed.

Parks Canada recommends crossing at either Hunter Street East, McFarlane Street or Parkhill Road East.

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Provincial Government Raising Speed Limits On Several Highways

The Ontario Government is raising speed limits on several highways in the province, announced on Wednesday.

Doug Ford, Ontario Premier (left) and Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation (right) on Highway 401, ceremoniously increasing the speed limit to most highways from 100 to 110 kp/h. Screenshot.

“This includes 938 kilometres of additional highway on top of the 873 kilometres where speed limits have already been increased,” said Doug Ford, Ontario Premier. “By the time this increase is fully implemented at the end of September, nearly 89 per cent of the provincial highway network will be at 110 kilometres per hour. That's up from just 43 per cent today.”

“With this new speed limit in place, drivers travelling from Sarnia to Toronto can save nearly 20 minutes while those travelling from Toronto to Ottawa can save nearly half an hour,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “These increased speed limits will be fully in place by the end of September.”

As of Friday, the following highways have their posted speed limit increased to 110 km/hour:

• Highway 401 from Highway 15 to Highway 16

• Highway 416 from Cedar Grove Road to Highway 401

Following the implementation of 110 km/hour of the aforementioned, these highways are being permanently increased to the posted speed limit of 110 km/hour on the remaining sections of provincial highways on the dates below:

• July 31

  • Highway 402 from Highway 401 to White Oak Drive

  • Highway 402 from Waterworks to 350m east of Colborne Drive

• Aug. 21

  • Highway 7 from Appleton Side Road/County Road 17 to Highway 417

  • Highway 115 from Highway 35 to Parkway Interchange

  • Highway 400 from Highway 401 to Lake Joseph Road

  • Highway 416 from 1.5 km south of Highway 416/417 to Fallowfield Road/County Road 12

  • Highway 417 from Leitrim Road to Ottawa Regional Road 174

  • Highway 417 from Highway 416/417 Interchange to Highway 7

• Aug. 31

  • Highway 401 from Merlin Road to Highway 427

  • Highway 401 from Highway 404 to Highway 35/115

  • Highway 401 from Cobourg to Colborne

  • Highway 401 from Sidney Street to CNR Overhead Bridge in Belleville

  • Highway 401 from County Road 38 to Highway 15

  • Highway 403 from Highway 401 to Middletown Line

• Sept. 30

  • Highway 403 from Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) to Highway 401

  • Highway 404 from Highway 401 to Mulock Drive

  • Highway 406 from Westchester Avenue to Highway 58

  • Highway 407 from Brock Road to Highway 35/115

  • Highway 412 from Highway 401 to Highway 407

  • Highway 418 from Highway 401 to Highway 407

  • QEW from Freeman Interchange to Highway 403

  • QEW from Concession Road to McLeod Road

  • QEW from Mountain Road to Jordan Road

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Peterborough Transit Service Updates For June 29

Peterborough Transit is implementing service adjustments on some routes beginning on June 29.

File Photo.

Route 3 Park 

The following weekday trips will be temporarily suspended until Sept. 8, when schools resume: 

• Southbound trips departing Trent University at 7:25 a.m. and 8:25 a.m.  

• The 7:45 a.m. southbound trip will move to 8 a.m. to maintain the hourly schedule.  

• Northbound trips departing Clonsilla at Summit Plaza at 7:05 a.m., 8:01 a.m., and 9:03 a.m.   

Route 3 Park will continue to operate on an hourly basis. 

Route 6 Sherbrooke  

One early morning trip will be permanently removed from service. The trip departing Peterborough Terminal at 5:57 a.m. and arriving at Trent University at 6:15 a.m. will be removed. 

Riders can use the trip departing Peterborough Terminal at 5:51 a.m., which follows the same route and departs six minutes earlier. 

Route 7 Lansdowne 

The following weekday trips will be temporarily suspended until Sept. 8, when schools resume: 

• Westbound trips departing Willowcreek Plaza at 7:20 a.m. and Walker Avenue at Bramble Road at 7:45 a.m.  

• Eastbound trips departing Willowcreek Plaza at 8:05 a.m. and Fleming College at 2:40 p.m.   

Route 7 Lansdowne will continue to operate every 30 minutes. 

Route 9 Parkhill 

The following weekday trips will be temporarily suspended until Sept. 8, when schools resume: 

• Westbound trips departing Trent University at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.  

• Eastbound trip departing Parkhill Road at Medical Drive at 2:30 p.m.  

Route 33 Bridgenorth 

Peterborough Transit is making minor schedule adjustments to Route 33 Bridgenorth following a review of the new route. 

Effective June 29, the following changes will be in place: 

• The first morning trip, currently starting at 7:45 a.m., will now begin on Carnegie Avenue at Terraview Heights. The bus will travel from Carnegie Avenue, turn right onto Woodland Drive, and continue to Trent University – Bata Library. This trip previously started at Woodland Drive at Carnegie Avenue.  

• The northbound trips departing at 8 a.m. and 6:40 p.m. will have a reduced scheduled travel time, from 45 minutes to 40 minutes.  

• The southbound trips departing at 8:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. will have a reduced scheduled travel time, from 45 minutes to 40 minutes.  

• The southbound trip from Bridgenorth Library will now depart at 8:45 a.m. instead of 8:50 a.m.  

Passengers are encouraged to check the updated schedule before travelling.

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Residents Invited to Help Shape Peterborough’s Transportation Safety Program

The City of Peterborough invites residents to learn about and provide input on the development of the City’s new Transportation Safety Program.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

A drop-in style Public Information Centre will be held on June 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Healthy Planet Arena. 

City staff and the project team are available to share information, answer questions, and gather feedback from the community. 

Residents can also participate through the project page online. Feedback can be submitted through an interactive map and a survey. The survey will remain open until June 21 at 11:59 p.m.  

Public input will help inform the development of the Transportation Safety Program and support the City’s efforts to create safer streets for everyone in Peterborough. 

The City is developing a comprehensive 15-year Transportation Safety Program to substantially reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries across the community. The plan will guide the prioritization and implementation of road safety improvements in a coordinated, proactive and sustainable way. 

Building on previous initiatives such as the Transportation Master Plan, the Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Policy and speed limit reductions in school areas, the program will help shape safer streets and more comfortable travel for all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, transit users and drivers. 

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Half-Load Restrictions On Commercial Vehicles End

Half-load restrictions for commercial vehicles on City of Peterborough streets have been lifted since taking effect on March 1.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The restrictions are put in place each spring to protect roads during the annual thaw, when they are more vulnerable to damage. Reducing weight limits during this time helps preserve road conditions. 

Half-load restrictions end on the following streets: 

• Airport Road from Sir Sanford Fleming Drive to the south city limits 

• Armour Road from Nassau Mills Road to Paddock Wood 

• Ashburnham Drive from McFarlane Street to Maria Street 

• Ashburnham Drive from Neal Drive to the south city limits 

• Bensfort Road from River Road South to the south city limits 

• Brealey Drive from Parkhill Road West to Sherbrooke Street 

• Carnegie Avenue 

• Crawford Drive from Sir Sanford Fleming Drive to 0.6 km east of The Parkway 

• Cumberland Avenue from Ungava Avenue to Carnegie Avenue 

• Dobbin Road 

• Guthrie Drive 

• Harper Road 

• Hetherington Drive from Richard Road to Woodland Drive 

• Johnston Drive 

• MacFarlane Avenue from Trentview Road to Television Road 

• Maniece Avenue from Ashburnham Drive to Television Road 

• McNamara Road from Guthrie Drive to Driscoll Road 

• Nassau Mills Road 

• Old Norwood Road from Ashburnham Drive to Television Road 

• Otonabee Drive 

• Parkhill Road East from Armour Road to Trent Severn Waterway Swing Bridge 

• Pioneer Road 

• River Road South from Lansdowne Street to Bensfort Road 

• Sherbrooke Street from Glenforest Boulevard to the west city limits 

• Simons Avenue 

• Towerhill Road from Chemong Road to Fairbairn Street 

• University Road 

• Wallace Point Road from Bensfort Road to Driscoll Road 

• Whittington Drive 

• Woodland Drive 

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City of Peterborough Launches Initiative to Streamline the Review Process of Traffic and Parking Concerns

A new city-led initiative is giving residents a direct way to report traffic and parking concerns by creating the Traffic Technical Working Group (TTWG) and an online application form. 

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The TTWG, recently launched following City Council approval in January, brings together subject-matter experts from multiple City departments to take a coordinated, data-driven approach to addressing traffic and parking concerns throughout the city. 

The group includes staff specializing in Traffic, Parking, Engineering, Transportation Planning, Law Enforcement, and Municipal Operations. The TTWG will review community-submitted concerns and recommend data-driven solutions. 

Residents play a key role in this initiative. Community members are encouraged to submit traffic and parking concerns through the application form. Submissions will be reviewed by the TTWG, with updates provided to residents so they can stay informed about the status of their request. 

This new approach will help streamline the assessment of traffic and parking issues and concerns, ensure consistent decision-making, and support improved traffic operations within the city.

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Safe Moves Peterborough: Creating Safer Streets through the Transportation Safety Program

A 15-year Transportation Safety Program (TSP) is being developed as a step towards making streets safer in the City of Peterborough. 

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Building on previous initiatives such as the Transportation Master Plan, Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Policy, speed limit reductions and Active School Travel programs, the TSP will provide a clear, long-term approach to road safety across the community in a proactive and sustainable way, according to Mayor Jeff Leal. 

“This program is about making our streets safer for everyone in Peterborough,” he said. “It will allow us to look closely at where safety concerns exist and work to reduce serious collisions. It’s about making everyday travel safer, whether you’re walking, cycling, driving, or taking transit.” 

The TSP aims to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries by creating safer roads that help prevent harm. It focuses on shared responsibility between everyone who uses the roadways, including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians and those who design and manage the city’s roads. 

The success of the TSP relies on meaningful input from the community. Feedback helps ensure that the program reflects the experiences of people who live, work and travel in Peterborough. 

How to share feedback: 

• Visit the project page: Residents can provide input on their experiences with road user safety and identify high-risk locations through a mapping tool and survey available on the project page, connectptbo.ca/safemovesptbo.  
  Paper copies of the survey are available at the Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer Street N. and at City Hall, 500 George Street N. The survey closes on Friday, June 5. 

• Public Information Centres: Two Public Information Centres (PICs) will be hosted in June. The PICs will provide an opportunity to learn more about road safety risks and challenges. Attendees can share feedback and recommendations on the TSP. More details on the upcoming PICs will be shared when they become available.

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Ontario Government Invests Over $1.7 Million to Support Public Transit In City and County of Peterborough

Through the 2025-26 Gas Tax program, the Ontario Government has invested $1,773,769 for the City of Peterborough and the County to better support public transit, announced at the Peterborough Transit Garage on Friday afternoon.

Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP (left); Sherry Senis, Selwyn Mayor (middle) and Jeff Leal, Peterborough mayor (right) at the Peterborough Transit Garage on Townsend Road in Peterborough. The Ontario Government is investing nearly $380 million through the 2025-26 Gas Tax program to support public transit in 107 municipalities. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The City of Peterborough is receiving $1,732,762, while Peterborough County is getting $41,007. Under the ‘Dedicated Funding for Public Transportation Act’ in 2013, two cents per litre of the Gas Tax helped fund public transit, according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“By providing these essential Gas Tax funds, we are empowering the City and County of Peterborough to enhance their transit networks, drive ridership and support the long-term growth of our region,” he explained. “This investment ensures that as our community expands, our residents have the reliable, accessible and efficient transportation they need to connect with jobs, local services and one another.”

The funding is to help public transit initiatives such as expanding service hours, increasing routes, purchasing new vehicles and improving accessibility while increasing transit ridership. While the funds are for the operational and capital side of Peterborough Transit, Mayor Jeff Leal said there are several ventures to seek as transportation evolves in the City.

“There are new technologies and vessels out there that save fuel and we want to be on the forefront of that,” he said.

Leal also mentioned that the $1.7 million provides the City with the possibility to extend its public transit reach into the County.

“It gives us the opportunities; that we have the link with Selwyn and we do get inquiries from Havelock, Norwood and Peterborough Regional Airport to extend that transit reach,” he explained. “It allows us to look at other transit options in actually servicing communities beyond the borders of the City of Peterborough. We do want to look at this area as a region and what we can do to have the City of Peterborough be that transit hub to help our fellow citizens of Peterborough County.”

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Peterborough Police Reminds Public of Permitted Use of Low-Speed Vehicles Roadways

The Peterborough Police Service Traffic Management Unit reminds the public that low-speed vehicles are not permitted on any highway, roadway or sidewalk in the City of Peterborough, Village of Lakefield or Cavan Monaghan Township.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

They are are defined as:

• travels on four wheels,

• powered by an electric power train (an electric motor and, if present, a transmission) that is designed to allow the vehicle to attain a speed of 32 km/h but not more than 40 km/h,

• not using fuel as an on-board source of energy, and

• having a GVWR of less than 1,361 kg; 

In some cases, these vehicles are marketed as ‘enclosed mobility devices,’ which Police say is incorrect.  They state that they are considered low-speed vehicles and can be operated only on municipal roadways if the municipality has a by-law permitting such activity. 

A by-law does not exist like that in Peterborough and anyone using them on roadways will be stopped and could face charges under the Highway Traffic Act.

Traffic complaints or concerns can be submitted to the Traffic Management Unit and fill out the Driving Complaint Report. If it is an emergency, the Police urge those to call 9-1-1.

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