What first-mile/last-mile needs is a completely new system. Sure, the municipal transit grids can carry some connecting passengers with GO, but some other system and method is needed in parallel. Think of it as Uber-sharing and not as more bus routes.
YRT is my home system. They definitely have their faults, but props where due:
For several months now, they have been running a
pilot to Aurora GO. With the co-fare, it’s basically a $1 (possibly shared) ride to a station where all spots are full by 7am.
@smallspy posted a link to YRT’s plans for 2020, which, IIRC, mention another home-to-GO pilot serving East Gwillimbury, and an across-Newmarket on-demand service...the wording of which makes me wonder if they are thinking of replacing some/all local routes in the Town.
Tried searching both the forum and yrt.ca for Dan’s post and the slide deck, respectively, but couldn’t find either. (The lack of the latter has me thinking I will need to reset the countdown clock.)
[EDIT: Found
the link to the YRT deck. Having taken another read, East Gwillimbury GO will definitely get a front door-to-train service. Not enough detail on the Newmarket offering yet to determine if it will incent GO Train commuters to leave their cars at home.]
I think Innisfil is on to something by partnering with Uber. It will be interesting to hear the outcome of the Lyft trial. If YRT can make “on-demand” work, while avoiding the “precarious employment” downside of the current ride-sharing incumbents, all the better.
Like most of my suburban neighbours, I’ve got two cars in the driveway and two car payments. Faced with paying $10-$15 for a one-seat ride to the train, I may as well drive. (Free parking, amirite?) But for $2 door-to-door, why would I?