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LTC looking to Smarten up

London’s public transportation is opening its doors for public input on the future of city transit.

On Monday the London Transit Commission launched Smart Moves — a new study meant to help plan transportation for the Forest City through 2030. The campaign will collect public input in order to map out transit routes and increase efficiency.

Smart Moves will look, in part, to community residents for help shaping the policy’s recommendations.

In addition to public meetings, public participation will be solicited through phone surveys and web polls.

“We are trying to convince people to change their habits,” Manged Elmadhoon, project manager for Smart Moves, said. He explained the study would look to multi-mode transportation, including finding ways to encourage increased use of public transportation along with walking and cycling.

For the LTC, this new study could be a game changer. John Ford, LTC director of transportation and planning, explained what the study results could mean for busing in London.

“Transit needs to move quicker to reduce travel times,” Ford said. “What happens now is [the buses] get caught in road congestion […] we just have to be smarter about the way we move around the city.”

Ford explained city development could also create a more efficient public transit system, with Elmadhoon noting such development could take the form of creating dedicated bus lanes.

Western’s University Students’ Council also has a vested interest in the development of city infrastructure. With students accounting for a significant amount of London’s bus traffic, student leaders have pledged to make sure they will be involved with the discussion.

“Students are a part of the community,” Dan Moulton, USC vice-president university affairs, noted. “Our largest priority will be a discussion around late-night busing for routes around the university community.”

The Smart Moves study comes on the heels of a controversial choice by the LTC last year to increase the price of rides, a decision that left Western students facing a referendum on the bus pass.

“We need to continue [last year’s] discussion,” Moulton said. “I’m hopeful that the LTC will be welcoming to the opinions of the students and the USC.”

Elmadhoon explained the project would be glad to hear from students and encouraged any interested parties to seek out Smart Moves’ online survey.

If you are interested in participating in Smart Moves there will be a public workshop held on Nov. 10 in the Carousel Room at the Western Fair.

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