Thursday, July 25, 2024, Lambton Shores — Huron Shores Area Transit (HSAT) recently conducted a series of six one-question polls published between April 29 and July 19, 2024, to gather travel trigger and basic demographic information about its riders. The polls, which received a total of 635 completed entries, provided a snapshot in time of who rides the buses.
One of the key findings from the collected poll data revealed that 28% of respondents use HSAT to get to work, highlighting the importance of the transit system in supporting daily commutes for the local community. Additionally, the polls showed that other reasons for riding the bus included heading to social or leisure activities (20%), shopping (16%), and attending medical appointments.
The poll also provided insights into where passengers call home, with a majority of local passengers living in Lambton Shores (25%), followed by Kettle & Stony Point FN (8%), South Huron (6%), Bluewater (3%), North Middlesex (3%), Goderich (3%) and Central Huron (1%). A healthy percentage of polled passengers live in London (27%) or Sarnia (20%), and given the time of year the polls were conducted, it is supposed these passengers were travelling into the area for work or leisure. Additionally, the poll indicated that 34% of respondents work full-time or part-time, 21% are retirees, 13% are students, and 8% are stay-at-home parents.
“We are pleased to see the positive response from the community regarding their reliance on public transit,” said Susan Mills, Transit Coordinator for HSAT. “These poll results provide a benchmark by which we can measure future passenger data.”
To encourage poll participation, HSAT offered poll takers a chance to win one of ten Monthly Passes, with each completed poll serving as an entry in the pass contest. The winners will receive their Monthly Pass in the mail within the week and include Shakira J., Elizabeth D., Tyler K., Dana M. and Lorrie F. from Lambton Shores, Emal K., Allyson M. and Andrew L. from London and Lynda L. and Jocelyn A. from Sarnia.
As HSAT approaches the final eight months of full funding under Ontario’s Community Transportation Grant Program, the poll results, ridership, and revenue data will play an important role in shaping the transit system’s future beyond the transit pilot project’s end date of March 31, 2025.
For more information about routes, schedules, fares and Smart Cards, visit HuronShoresAreaTransit.ca. To speak with a live operator about times and schedules, call 1-888-465-0783 between 9 am and 5 pm daily.
