Push on to improve transit to industrial areas
Transit continues to be a barrier for some workers, but officials in London and St. Thomas are working towards improving service to industrial areas.
When it comes to manufacturing jobs, getting to the job site for many is the hardest part.
“Certainly the largest issue facing manufacturers today is finding workers and keeping workers -- and one of the things that can help them with that is reliable public transportation to industrial facilities,” says Jason Bates, the general manager of the London Region Manufacturing Council.
Paul Hubert from Pathways Employment Help Centre adds this acts as a barrier for people trying to get back into the work sector
“Many of the job sites are not accessible by public transport. And that limits their options to build their careers and reestablish themselves in the workforce.”
There are several studies that are being undertaken right now on how to best serve the outskirts of both London and St. Thomas -- where industrial jobs often are.
There is added pressure to come up with a solution as companies like Maple Leaf, and Aspire Foods, as well as an unnamed company that will open up at the former Ford Talbotville site are all looking to hire hundreds of jobs over the next year.
One of the ideas that is being floated around is On Demand Transit, which has been used in St. Thomas.
“The LTC has had commissioned a consultant to look at various options. And those recommendations are going to be in front of our (London) Transit Commission relatively soon to make some recommendations,” says London Mayor Ed Holder.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.