Council votes to audit London transit to see if bus service could be better

Councillors voted unanimously Tuesday in favour of moving forward with an audit of the performance and operation of the London Transit Commission (LTC). 

Council directed city staff to find an external auditor to probe whether Londoners are getting the best bang for their buck, in terms of quality and service coverage.

The auditor will also consider whether new management of the LTC is warranted, including the option of the city taking over operations from the LTC.

"We have to do the most efficient, effective audit," said Coun. Jerry Pribil. "Even if [every Londoner] doesn't take the bus, it has to benefit [every Londoner]."

The motion to begin the auditor selection process was contained in a letter that was brought before council during Tuesday's meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee, which includes all councillors and the mayor.

In the letter, Couns. Shawn Lewis and Elizabeth Peloza pointed to complaints from riders about service levels, and a lack of planned improvements, despite extra money in the city's new multi-year budget, as reasons behind the audit request.

LTC had sought around $42 million, but was given $28.3 million, which its board chair Stephanie Marentette said is not enough to expand service past the status quo.

Marentette has told CBC News the LTC was prepared to cooperate with the city in an audit.

London Morning7:13London Transit Board chair responds to audit call for public transit

This week, London Morning spoke to Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis who is calling for an independent audit of London's public transit. Today, London Morning spoke with the chair of the London Transit Board Stephanie Marentette to get her reaction to the audit request.

"As we're looking at this, we have to, with full transparency and respect to the LTC, continue to engage in dialogue," said Coun. Corinne Rahman, adding that she believes the relationship between the City of London and the LTC must be strengthened through the process.

Although council voted 14-to-0 in favour of the audit, with one councillor being absent at the time, they will have to confirm the decision with another vote during their next meeting on Apr. 2.