Room: International AB
Sponsor(s)
 
Session Description
Ontario transit agencies are implementing various fare initiatives to enhance accessibility and ridership. Burlington has evaluated fare-free transit, while Orangeville has implemented a fare-free transit program. York Region Transit is assessing a transition to cash-free onboard payments and a shift from off-board proof-of-payment to onboard payment for VIVA services. Our moderator, Yuval Grinspun, of Left Turn Right Turn will guide a fireside chat with transit leaders balancing equity and sustainability.
Speaker(s) / Presenter(s)
Yuval Grinspun has been working in the public transit industry since 2002. He has supported large-scale transformation projects for agencies across the continent. In 2014 he founded Left Turn Right Turn, a transit-focused consultancy that supports organizations across the country on business strategy, service planning, accessibility, and technology programs. Since, then, LTRT has grown to a 20-strong person firm thatÂ’s developed important transit and accessibility projects for organizations across Canada. Outside of work, Yuval is obsessed with board game design, curling, beach volleyball, puzzles, interesting food and his family.
Adrian Kawun – Oakville Transit
Adrian Kawun has worked in the transit industry for more than 15 years and is a transit leader within the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA). He is currently Oakville TransitÂ’s Director. Adrian and his team are responsible for overseeing the planning, maintenance, and operation of the Oakville Transit system as a network integrating with neighbouring transit agencies and the GO Transit regional system.
AdrianÂ’s foresight and planning is helping Oakville Transit align transit service levels with demand, implement new service delivery options, provide a service that is reliable and appealing to residents, and continuing the process of electrifying the fleet and required facilities.
Adrian enjoys participating with staff at community outreach events to advance knowledge of the transit system. He liaises with employers, educational institutions and other GTHA transit agencies to find transit solutions for all travelers, including cross boundary travel. HeÂ’s a strong supporter of promoting transit orientation and education to citizens and community groups across Oakville.
Adrian has worked in the industry as a transit vehicle cleaner, revenue collector, transit scheduler, service planner, Manger of Planning, and is now leading the new era of planning and design of the Oakville Transit network.
He is currently outfitting Oakville Transit for a future that will be delivered by electric vehicles. Electrification projects include the expansion of Oakville TransitÂ’s bus facility, purchasing more battery electric buses, constructing the energy infrastructure required to electrify the battery electric buses, and developing an electrification roadmap for Oakville TransitÂ’s staff and customers.
Adrian is a recipient of the Mass Transit 40 under 40 award which recognizes individuals for their contributions and a job well done. It is a listing of individuals who have shown a capacity for innovation, demonstrated leadership and a commitment to making an impact in transit. Adrian would like to recognize his team for the collaboration and day-to-day hard work required to provide outstanding customer and transit services.
Adrian holds an Urban and Regional Planning degree from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and works with post-secondary institutions to bring more young brilliant minds into the transit field.
Doug Spooner is the Acting Commissioner, Transportation with the Region of Waterloo. DougÂ’s role sees him working alongside a fantastic team to deliver a variety of Regional services including transit, multi-modal travel, and roads. Doug joined the Region of Waterloo just over a year ago, following stops at Metrolinx, the Invictus 2017 Games, the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, and his own consulting firm. DougÂ’s experience spans a variety of transportation fields including system/space design and operation, network design, procurement, policy development and stakeholder integration.
Tamas Hertel – York Region Transit
Tamas Hertel is the Manager of Service Planning at York Region Transit (YRT). YRT is one of OntarioÂ’s largest transit systems, carrying a record 23.7 million passengers in 2024 on a fleet of more than 500 vehicles. Tamas manages short and long-term planning of transit services, including the analysis of financial, capital, and operational performance of individual routes and services, fare policy/structure and the overall system performance of YRT.
Prior to his role at YRT, Tamas was Program Manager of Traffic Safety at the Regional Municipality of York and also has experience in transportation master planning, capital planning and public and stakeholder engagement.
Tamas has a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo, and is a Registered Professional Planner and a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute. Tamas also sits on the Canadian Urban Transit AssociationÂ’s (CUTA) Statistics Sub-Committee and the Ontario Public Transit AssociationÂ’s (OPTA) Planning and Scheduling Committee.
Maureen Cosyn Heath – Hamilton Street Railway
Moderator(s)
Yuval Grinspun – Left Turn Right Turn