Transit Terminal Bus Bay Layout Modifications

What's Happening

The City of Peterborough is inviting residents to learn about planned updates to the Simcoe Street Transit Terminal, provide feedback and share ideas on what improvements they would like to see in this space. The Transit Terminal is located at 190 Simcoe Street St. The update will remove the requirement for the buses to reverse out of the pick up and drop off locations as recommended in the Transportation Master Plan and Transit Route Review and Long-term Growth Study. Having the buses reverse regularly is a safety concern.

Background

The Simcoe Street Transit Terminal is part of the Simcoe Street parking garage which was built in 1974.The terminal design has not changed and is still in use today.

The Transit Route Review and Long-term Growth Study identified an ongoing safety concern as the buses back out of these bays several times each hour.

The previous “Hub” route design utilized all 12 bays for the 12 routes that departed every forty minutes. With that system all buses arrived and departed at the same interval. The current system operates with staggered arrival and departure times for the seven buses that now service the terminal.

The new design will create a wider platform area from the terminal walls to the edge of the platform. These stops will have a “saw-tooth” alignment.

The key features of a sawtooth design are:

• Angled Bays: each bay has a designated stopping area at an angle to the curb.
• Easier Departure: Buses can leave independently without having to wait for those ahead to move.
• Efficient Use of Space: Reduces the required curb length compared to a straight line stop alignment.
• Improved Traffic Flow: Minimizes disruptions to traffic lanes.
• Improved Safety and Visibility: Drivers have a forward view as they depart. Many transit systems remove conditions that require a bus to reverse. Looking and moving forward reduces the safety risks.

Other improvements and upgrades included in this project will be all new lighting fixtures and route signage, fresh painting of the walls and under the canopy, new benches and accessibility features. Three new bus shelters will be added along Simcoe Street.

Schedule

This project is presently in the planning stage, construction is scheduled for the beginning of August 2025 and will last approximately four weeks.

How can you be heard?

The City is seeking input from the residents to ensure that the transit terminal pickup and drop off areas will be best suited to meet the needs of the community.

Online Survey

Please complete the online survey to provide feedback on this project.