Description
Not all individuals and communities have the resources to transition to low or no emission transportation. Programs to address diverse barriers must be implemented so that all residents can travel easily and safely to their destinations. These programs must be designed in partnership with equity-deserving groups, and consider interconnected barriers such as safety, funding, education, and community design.
This action will be led by the Region of Waterloo and the Area Municipalities. Please see below for the most recent publicly available updates.
REGION OF WATERLOO
The Grant River Transit (GRT) has entered a business account program with the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) and Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region. Through a Ministry of Education funding stream, WRDSB high school students in magnet school programs (e.g., French immersion) that are eligible for bus transportation will receive a GRT pass for unlimited rides for the school year.
The GRT will launch a six-month pilot promotion offering older adults free rides one day a week starting in July 2026.
CITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Initial analysis work was completed by the ClimateActionWR Transportation Sector Committee identifying routes in low income neighbourhoods. One of the aims of the Cycling Master Plan was to develop a well-connected cycling network that provides equitable access and serves all areas of the city. An equity analysis determined neighbourhoods with higher concentrations of underserved populations (youth, senior, immigrant, First Nations, and low-income populations). The results of the analysis were used as one of the factors to help prioritize the proposed active transportation networks. The neighbourhoods with the highest equity need were identified as a higher priority for implementation and provided with the highest quality of recommended facilities. Neighbourhoods with the greatest equity need included Elgin Park, Northview, Riverview, Blair, Southwood, Galt City Core, Glenview, Southview, Eastview, and Branchton Park. Cambridge for AAA cycling facilities (“all ages and abilities” separated multi-use trails). The shared micromobility program has a Working Group, in which there is a sub-group that will examine “programming / initiatives to improve access, appeal and equity of the system”. The Cycling Master Plan also looked at equity in neighbourhoods when determining routes and priorities. CyclingWR have done their own analysis and outreach on equity neighbourhoods. They too have created priority cycling routes based on equity, and the City is working with this list to prioritize some wayfinding routes.
TOWNSHIP OF WOOLWICH
The Township of Woolwich identifies developing active transportation and transit programs that targets equity-deserving communities as a future consideration.