Milton Transit to launch five-year service plan in 2025 with expanded services

By: Shazia Nazir, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Milton Reporter

Milton Transit is set to roll out its five-year service plan this year following the Council’s approval of the 2025 budget. The Milton Transit Five-Year Service Plan and Master Plan Update outline a strategic vision and redesigned transit network to guide transit planning and operations through 2029 and beyond.

“The Milton Transit Five-Year Service Plan sets out a strategic vision and redesigned transit network to guide planning and operations to 2029, and beyond. We conduct a service plan review periodically (every five years) to re-evaluate service delivery needs,” Tony D’Alessandro, Director of Transit Services, Milton Transit, told the Milton Reporter.

“The Town’s 2051 Vision includes the strategic theme of Connected Transit and Mobility while embracing a safe, diverse and welcoming community with opportunities to live, learn, work and play. The Five-Year Service Plan provides a framework to grow transit services as a mechanism to facilitate and enable this vision.”

As part of the plan, residents will benefit from several key initiatives beginning in 2025. One major highlight is Milton’s decision to match Halton Region’s contribution to the Subsidized Passes for Low Income Transit (SPLIT) program. This will fully subsidize transit tickets and passes for eligible low-income residents, making public transit more accessible and affordable. Expanded service hours on weekdays will extend until 10:30 p.m., while a new Sunday service will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., both starting in September. Additionally, seven new buses will be purchased to accommodate growing trip demands and to support service expansion in 2026.

“Surpassing one million annual trips in 2024 is a significant milestone that highlights the importance of transit within the community. This growth has spearheaded transit expansion plans in 2025, namely extended weekday service into the later evenings and implementing service on Sundays,” Milton Transit noted.

The Council’s investment in the five-year plan underscores its commitment to ensuring that transit services remain efficient, reliable, and future-ready as Milton grows. The plan takes a phased and transitional approach, adapting service delivery models to meet the needs of evolving neighbourhoods.

Tony D’Alessandro, Director of Transit Services, highlighted the importance of the SPLIT program and said: “Currently, Halton Region subsidizes 50% of the price of a monthly pass, while the user pays the remaining 50%. The initiative approved by Town Council matches Halton Region’s contribution so that eligible clients in the program receive a fully subsidized transit pass. This initiative improves affordability and transit access to eligible customers of the SPLIT program.”

Reflecting on the progress made in 2024 and the path ahead, D’Alessandro added, “Throughout 2024, we have continued to see an increase in ridership, surpassing one million riders for the first time. Town Council’s continued support of Milton Transit ensures we are on our way to meet the Town’s 2051 vision of providing residents and visitors of all abilities with a transit system that is safe, accessible, reliable and integrated with the community.”