Halton Hills Transportation Study

Halton Hills Transportation Study:

Analysis

Background

The HaltonHills Transportation Task Force developed and administered a survey online over the summer of 2015 that had 3 goals:

To determine if lack of transportation is a barrier to operations, goods and service delivery and/or goods and service access (including public,community services & business) in Halton Hills;
To determine if public transportation would improve operationsand access to goods/services, and;
To identify the routes where public transportation would be mostbeneficial for the community.

There were a total of 128 responses to the survey.

Who responded to the survey?

Organizations who responded to the survey were asked what service type best represented their organization. Of the organizations that responded to this question, almost half 59 (46%) were social service agencies and slightly more than a third were (48 or 38%) were businesses. The remainder were government departments or agencies and sports/recreation groups.

Respondents were also asked to describe the “service type” they provide. Many respondents did not complete this question, but of those that did, the following service types were listed:

3 places of worship, faith based institutions
2 Service Clubs
Charitable
Church
Community mental health support case man
Distribution
Education
Elderly and sheltered
Employment Service Centre
Environmental, reuse/recycle, non profit
Financial
Food bank
Funder
Gymnastics club
Individual
Industrial/Manufacturing
Older adult centre
Pharmacy
Physical Fitness Gym
Religious Organization
Retail
Social and / or health service
Spiritual Gifts & Services
Staffing Company in the IT and Digital M
Youth programming

Where were responding organizations located?

On the basis of addresses that they supplied, responding organizations were located throughout the Halton Hills area (and a few from beyond). See Chart 2 below.However, close to 1/3 of the responding organizations came from Georgetown, with 9.6% coming from Acton and 8% from Oakville. It is difficult to know whether this large proportion of respondents coming from Georgetown has in any way skewed the results of the survey because there is no way of knowing whether this is an over or under-representation of the % (and distribution of type) of Halton Hills organizations that are actually located in Georgetown.

When asked directly where their organization was located, respondents provided the following answers (Chart 3):

C.Services Provided by Responding Organizations

Organizations that responded to the survey were given an opportunity to describe their organization and these descriptions are provided below.

i)Services Provided by Private Businesses

Of the 45 private businesses that gave a description of the service type they provide, the majorityindicated they were from the Retail / Commercial and Foodservice sector, while about ¼ said they were service or professional businesses (see Chart4 on the following page).

When invited to provide more detail, only 6 businesses did so, listing the following as a more detailed description of their service type:

Distribution
Environmental, non profit, reuse/recycle, charity
Home renovations
Pastoral care/Religious services/Community outreach
Service all kinds
Volunteer

ii)Services Provided by Local Community Groups

Although no respondent had indicated they were a local community group when first asked what service type best described their organization, 10 respondents answered a question focused at local community groups about the type of service they provide.

When invited to provide more detail, 2 organizations did, citing:

Health, wellness and education
Individual

iii)Type of Services Provided by Social Services / Health Services

Half of the social and health services indicated that they provide social support while about ¼ said they provide mental health services. Physical health services and Leisure services were each provided by 11% of the social and health services who answered this question. When invited to explain in greater detail, the following service descriptions were listed:

Advocacy for seniors
Childcare (2)
Church
Community Service
Education (3)
Employment program (4)
Eternal salvation and sacramental union
Financial
Food bank
Housing, referrals to community agencies
Inclusion Services children 2-4yrs
Information to assist people how to get
Kids summer camps, grief groups, NA group
LGBTQ+ Education and Support
Planning and Infrastructure
Public Education
Religion/Spiritual
Safe space for LGBTQ+ identified and all
Social support services in the way of fu
Spiritual care; support 4 communities in
Supplying food to people in need
Support to seniors at home
Volunteer opportunities for teens
We encourage people to help and volunteer
Worship services - children/youth program
Youth Justice

iv)Service Type Provided by Government Departments or Agencies

No Information was provided by survey participants who represented government in relation to either the service type they provide or the level of government they represent.

Client / Customer Profiles

i)Client/Customer Base: Social Services, Health Services and Government Combined

TABLE 1
Client/Customer Base: Social Services, Health Services and Government Combined
(N=71)
Client/Customer Base / Frequency (N=71) / % of Social and Health Services and Government
Individuals / 61 / 85.9%
Families / 44 / 54%
Other / 8 / 12.1%

Individuals comprise about 86% of the social services, health services and government report individuals as clients, and 54% report families. 8 report “other” types of clients, some of whom were listed by participating organizations:

Adults
All
All Residents of Halton Hills
Business
Communities
Seniors
Students
Youth & Their Families
Youth 16 to 24

When asked about the average age of their clients/customer base, these organizations responded as shown in Chart7. From this, we can see that well more than half of the social and health services and government departments and agencies say they serve all ages. In every other case, less than 10 organizations indicate service is being provided to specific age groups.

ii)Client/Customer Base: Businesses

TABLE 2
Client/Customer Base: Social Services, Health Services and Government Combined
(N=48)
Client/Customer Base / Frequency (N=48) / % of Social and Health Services and Government
Individuals / 38 / 79.2%
Families / 30 / 62.5%
Other Businesses / 24 / 50%
Other / 3 / 6.3%

From Table 2, businesses report almost 80% of report clients are individuals, about 66% report families and half report other businesses. In the category “Other”, clients/customers included here were students, volunteers and “all of the above”.

Most businesses indicated their clients/customers spanned all ages.

Access Issues Due to Lack of Reliable Transportation

i)Access Issues for Clients / Customers / Participants / Members

Respondents were asked whether they were aware of situations where their clients/ customers/ participants/ members were unableto access their services/programs because they do not have reliable transportation. From Table 3, 81 respondents (almost 2/3) indicated that they were aware of such situations. Of these, (see Table 4) about 1/3 said this happened frequently (3 times a week or more), and about ¼ said it happened regularly (once per week or less) or sometimes (once or twice per month).

Table 3
Respondent Awareness of Access Issues Due to Unreliable Transportation for Clients / Customers / Participants / Members / Frequency
N=128 / Percent
N=128
Yes / 81 / 63.3%
No / 25 / 19.5%
I do not know this information / 13 / 10.2%
Missing Data / No Response / 9 / 7.0%
Total / 128 / 100.0%
Table 4
Frequency of client / customer / participant / member access issues / Frequency / Percent of Those Who Said Yes
N= 81 / Percent
Of Full Sample
N=128
Frequently - 3 times per week or more / 28 / 34.6% / 21.9%
Regularly - Once per week or less / 22 / 27.2% / 17.2%
Sometimes - Once or twice per month / 20 / 24.7% / 15.6%
Rarely - A few times per year / 10 / 12.3% / 7.8%
Total / 128 / 98.8% / 100.0

ii)Access Issues for Staff (or Volunteers)

Respondents were asked whether they were aware of situations where staff (or volunteers) had been unable to get to work due to lack of reliable transportation.From Table 5, 33 respondents (about1/4) indicated that they were aware of such situations. Of these, (see Table 6)1/3 said this happened frequently (3 times a week or more), and about 36% said it happened ¼ said it happened regularly (once per week or less) or sometimes (once or twice per month). 30% said it was a rare occurrence.

Table 5
Respondent awareness of access issues due to unreliable transportation for staff or volunteers / Frequency
N=128 / Percent
N=128
Yes / 33 / 25.8%
No / 55 / 43.0%
I do not know this information / 29 / 22.7%
Missing Data/No Response / 11 / 8.6%
Total / 128 / 100.0%
Table 6
Frequency of Staff or Volunteer Access Issues / Frequency
N=33 / Percent of Those Who Said Yes
N-33 / Percent of Full Sample
Frequently - 3 times per week or more / 11 / 33.3% / 8.6%
Regularly - Once per week or less / 3 / 9.1% / 2.3%
Sometimes - Once or twice per month / 9 / 27.3% / 7.0%
Rarely - A few times per year / 10 / 30.3% / 7.8%
Total / 128 / 100.0% / 100.0%

Those respondents who had indicated they were aware of access issues for staff or volunteers were asked specifically how many employees they currently employ that experience these types of situations. In total, respondents indicated that 1030 employees experience access issues.

Respondent Provision of Transportation Services

Respondents were asked whether arranging travel or transportation for clients/customers/participants was a typical activity in their organization. 50% of the respondents indicated that they did not provide transportation for their clients / customers / participants. Of the remaining 50%, 6 said they provided transportation as a core service, 28 said they arranged transportation to get to needed services and 32 said they arranged transportation so clients can access their own organization or events planned by their our organization.

Those respondents who said they provided transportation were asked for additional detail about the type of transportation assistance they provide.

i)Detailed Description of Core Transportation Services

5 of the 6 respondents who had indicated they provide transportation as a core service provided descriptions of the transportation service they provide (some of the responses indicate that there was either confusion in how the question was worded or how respondents interpreted the question):

Shipping of product worldwide
Taxi for customers
Halton Student Transportation Services
Provide recreation and supported living supports along with educational and vocational training
Bridging the Gap works with youth 16 to 24 years of age who are homeless in the Halton Region. We assist youth in finding permanent housing whether that be room rentals, transitional housing, and or placements at emergency shelters. We also assist youth in applying for Financial Assistance (OW and ODSP) and refer youth to a variety of community agencies based on their individual need.

When asked how often their transportation service operates, 5 of the 6 respondents who had said transportation wasa core service said daily and 1 said weekly.

Respondents were also asked about destinations that clients / customers / participants wanted or needed. (See Chart 10). 3 organizations said retail establishments, healthcare facilities and community services and only 1 said other transportation hubs. 2 organizations identified other destinations, which were:

Return home
Shipping

ii)Detailed Description of Services Provided by Respondents who “Assist” Clients / Customers / Participants to Get to Needed Community Services

Respondents who provide transportation assistance to get to other community services were asked to describe the service they provide. 28 Responded. As in a previous question, the answers to this question suggest that there was confusion either in the question or in the interpretation of the question by some respondents. Nevertheless, the answers to this question were:

ActiVan
Staff need to get to work and this mall is rural also parking is off site for staff
Socialization and companionship to shut in seniors
Sunday mass, special parish events, weekly Food for Life free grocery delivery, Food from the Heart food ministry with Georgetown Breadbasket, free Christmas Day dinner...etc. As for giving rides, that is arranged ad hoc and usually for parishioners or someone they have brought to our attention.
Non-religious community based activities: scouting, host Youth Centre, exercise classes, monthly Fresh Food Box Program. Religious Community based activities: worship, men's and women's fellowship groups, family dinners, a choir, kid's summer camp.
Taxi service to appointments, job interviews and shelter
Social dining, meals to wheels and wheels to meals programs
We have transported clients to shelter both within the community as well as throughout Halton and/or Peel region as needed
Provide housing and various support services to persons with mental health and/or addictions
Connect with Red Cross/Activan
Mental Health case management and crisis services
Monthly Community Dinners Weekly Free Grocery Distribution
Case management services, wellness programs and community support services to individuals who live in Halton and have a severe and persistent mental illness.
Personal supports funding for transportation for employment and community services. i.e.; taxi, GO Bus / Train, etc.
Vans to pick up children from school. Transportation via cars and vans to take individuals supported to day programs and recreational activities
LGBTQ+ youth drop in Youth Action Committee participation
Clients may be taxi'd from Georgetown to Acton for the prenatal nutrition groups. Alternatively, our postpartum support group in Georgetown may taxi people in from Georgetown or the surrounding communities in Halton Hills.
We provide a number of services, Case management, court support, release from custody, crisis. We are often connecting individuals to community resources, programs, supports or events and struggle with individuals in the north (Acton/Georgetown) being ableto participate because of lack of transportation.
Youth at risk must travel to Milton to access many of the services for youth (mental health, addictions, counselling, etc). We also work with their families. We also work with seniors in the community to help them maintain their independence. We also support their caregivers.
SAVIS offers counselling to survivors of violence and childhood sexual abuse, as well as family, friends and support people. We offer Short and long term counselling (face to face appointments)
Employment Program for who have Mental Health and / or Addictions concerns.
Support to get to medical/psychiatric/psych-social appointments.
Drives to hospitals for tests, specialist appointments.
250 units of supportive housing Outreach / Case management Assertive Community Treatment Team 9clinical and case management service) Volunteer program (social recreational)
Supportive Housing (250 units of Housing in Halton Outreach Supports Assertive

Community

Treatment Team (clinical and case management supports) Volunteer program (social and recreational)
Life skills Selfhelp groups social groups Groceries, appointments at doctors.

When asked how frequently assistance with transportation was provided, almost 2/3 (64.3%) of the 29 respondents who answered this question said daily, and about 20% (6) said weekly. 3 said monthly and 2 agencies identified different (other) frequency of service as follows:

Monday to Friday
Some things are weekly, some ad hoc

Respondents were also asked about destinations that their clients / customers / participants wanted or needed. (See Chart 11).21 of 29 said Healthcare Facilities, 18 said community facilities and 15 said retail establishments. 7 respondents said other, but there was no description provided of these other destinations.

iii)Detailed Description of Services Provided by Respondents who help Clients / Customers / Participants Get to Needed Services/Events Provided by the Organization

Respondents whose organization provides transportation to get clients / customers/ participants to their own services or events were asked to describe this service. As before, there may have been some confusion in the wording of this question or in the way in which respondents interpreted this question. The descriptions the respondents provided are as follows:

Occasionally arrange taxi or limo to YYZ
Youth events, Senior's luncheons, Church services, Kid's camps
We provide transportation to elementary students that reside over 1.6 km from their home school. We provide transportation to secondary students that reside over 3.2 km from their home school. Transportation is only provided at designated bell times, meaning that students must find their own way home following extracurricular activities.
transportation to counseling services, court appointments etc
Worship on Sunday morning at 9.30 am in Stewarttown and Norval, and 11 am in Hornby
We don't provide transportation but we do arrange help with the applications for Activan Taxis script service and arrange buses for our events off site to the south or outside Halton Hills boundaries
Sunday services , meetings and special activities.
Employment Related
day trips, outings in the community, taking them to appointments
We deliver food bags to children at their home when their parents do not have transportation means to pick up.
We run programs for youth in Acton and all over Halton. We have youth in Acton and Georgetown that are interested in attending our events and programs. However, because there is no North to South transportation youth from Halton Hills often cannot make it to our programs in South Halton.
We help arrange transportation for our services and special events.
We have monthly events for children on our waitlist. It is often difficult to find transportation to events and intakes outside of Halton Hills (i.e. to Milton or Oakville).
ed
C-operative Education placements, educational opportunities in Georgetown
Once a month community dinner Programs at the Hub
To attend mood walks or at time medical or psychiatric appointments. Or make community connection

When asked how often transportation to their own events or services was provided, about 25% of the 29 organizations said weekly and 19% said daily. Less than 10% said monthly. Just over 20% provided “other” responses to describe the frequency of transportation to their own events or services and a few described “other frequency” in the following ways: