Question 1:
What role can transit play in reducing traffic congestion and mitigating increasing expenditures on road maintenance?
Transit has to be part of the solution to Burlington’s traffic congestion and rising infrastructure costs. We cannot keep relying on building more roads and widening existing ones without considering the long-term cost to taxpayers. I want to see reliable, frequent and accessible transit that gives residents a genuine alternative to driving. That means better routes, improved connections to GO stations, and service that people can count on.
Every road we build comes with a future maintenance bill. Transit also costs money, but if we can move more people efficiently and make better use of the roads we already have, we can reduce pressure on our infrastructure and make smarter long-term investments. My priority is simple: move people more efficiently, maintain what we already own, and make every taxpayer dollar count.
Question 2:
In your opinion, what can be done to improve specialized transit for disabled riders and would you be in favour of raising the budget for this increasingly important service?
My position would be that specialized transit must provide people with disabilities a reliable, accessible and dignified way to participate fully in community life. It is not simply a transportation service; it is an essential service that helps residents get to medical appointments, work, school, shopping and social activities. I would focus on the following improvements: improve reliability and reduce wait times; increase service availability; and, make booking easier.
I would support increasing the budget where evidence demonstrates that additional investment is needed to improve service, meet growing demand and reduce barriers for riders. I would first want to review current performance and consult with staff and senior management.
Question 3:
Burlington’s and Halton’s Official Plans call for transit’s share of all trips to rise to 20% (from the current figure of about 4%) by 2031. Do you support this objective?
Yes, I support the objective of significantly increasing transit’s share of daily trips. However, moving from approximately 4% to 20% by 2031 is an ambitious target, and achieving it will require meaningful improvements to service, infrastructure and regional coordination. For example, land-use planning must work alongside transportation investment so that new development supports transit use rather than increasing dependence on cars.
Question 4:
With record ridership and increasing demand, are you in favour of supporting continued expansion of Burlington’s transit system?
I support the continued expansion of Burlington Transit, but that expansion must be carefully planned, financially responsible and focused on where residents need service most. I would also prioritize routes that connect residents to employment areas, schools, healthcare and essential services. If we want to reduce congestion and give residents more transportation choices, we need a transit system that grows with Burlington.
Question 5:
Have you ever used Burlington Transit? Would you be willing to give it a try?
While I have not regularly used Burlington Transit, I would absolutely be willing to give it a try. As a potential councillor, I believe it is important to experience the services residents rely on and understand both what works and where improvements are needed.
Question 6:
The Ontario Legislature recently passed Bill 98, the Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026, which gives the provincial Minister of Transportation the power to override municipal transit authorities and set routes and fares for municipal transit systems. We at BFAST have the following concerns about this legislation:
1) It could disrupt current arrangements between transit systems in Burlington, Oakville and Hamilton that provide connections between these cities.
2) The Minister could divert Burlington Transit resources — for example, to provide service along the planned bus rapid transit corridor on Highway 5 (Dundas St.), which was supposed to have been undertaken by GO Transit. This would, in effect, download more fiscal responsibility from the province to local governments.
3) Certain initiatives by Burlington Transit, such as free fares for seniors and students, could be eliminated.
Please comment on this legislation and what measures you would undertake or support to ensure transit service levels in Burlington would not be degraded.
Bill 98 raises important questions about local transit autonomy, accountability and the protection of service levels. While better integration between transit systems can benefit riders, decisions about local routes, service frequency and fares must consider the needs of the communities that pay for and rely on those services. I would support regional coordination, but I would want clear safeguards to ensure that Burlington residents do not experience reduced local service or higher municipal costs because of provincial decisions. Once elected, I would take the following measures: protect local service levels; preserve affordable fares; request provincial funding for provincial priorities; and protect regional connections.
Question 7:
Over the past months, a plan has been promoted wherein a private company would provide on-demand transit service to potentially replace certain routes operated by Burlington Transit. Among BFAST’s concerns with this plan are:
1) Over-reliance on one private company to provide a service that could not be easily replaced if the provider were to fail.
2) Cost escalation and more traffic on our roads as mini-buses replaced current vehicles and more drivers were needed to move the same number of passengers.
3) Diversion of already-constrained Burlington Transit budget to a private, for-profit company, resulting in lower levels of service.
We would appreciate your comments on on-demand transit in general and the idea of diverting public budgets to private corporations.
I would support investigating in consultation with city staff on demand transit in Burlington, particularly in lower-density neighbourhoods where fixed-route buses may not provide an efficient service. However, I would not support replacing existing Burlington Transit routes or diverting public funds to a private provider without clear evidence that the change would improve service and deliver better value for taxpayers.