Registrants will be eligible for 1.5 professional development credits/hours (PDH).
Join ITE Toronto, Hamilton, and Southwestern Sections for an engaging virtual event, Connecting Communities: Exploring Transit Reach and Competitiveness. This insightful session will delve into the critical role of transit systems in fostering connectivity, sustainability, and economic growth across Ontario’s diverse landscapes.
From large metropolitan to medium-sized cities and smaller communities, this event will showcase innovative strategies, challenges, and success stories in enhancing transit reach and competitiveness. Hear from industry experts as they share their perspectives on how effective transit networks can bridge gaps, improve accessibility, drive community development and shapes the livability and competitiveness of cities of all sizes.
Susan Mills – Huron Shores Area Transit (HSAT)
Susan Mills serves as the Transit Coordinator for Huron Shores Area Transit (HSAT), a small but thriving rural transit system managed by the Municipality of Lambton Shores in collaboration with South Huron, Bluewater, North Middlesex, and Kettle & Stony Point First Nation. Before stepping into her role at HSAT in 2022, Susan was the manager of the local chamber of commerce, where she gained valuable insight into the needs of local communities, businesses, and resident travel patterns—expertise that now helps shape HSAT’s services. Launched in December 2020, HSAT has become one of the most successful pilot transit projects funded by the Ontario Community Rural Transit Grant program, achieving an impressive 1,685% growth rate since its inception.
Nick Chaloux –Hamilton Street Railway (HSR)
Nick is a Registered Professional Planner (RPP) and transit planner with a background in transit equity, long-range planning, and transit business casing. Nick is leading HSR’s Strategy team, working alongside passionate transit professionals to deliver major projects like Hamilton’s new bus garage, integrating HSR service into the Hamilton LRT project, and crafting a new framework for transit planning data and analytics. Since joining the City of Hamilton in 2024, Nick led phasing and implementation planning for HSR’s next growth plan, HSR Next, which plans significant transit expansion in underserved areas of Hamilton.
Jessica Deslippe – Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
Jessica Deslippe, P.Eng, is the Project Manager for the Bus Rapid Transit portfolio at the TTC. In collaboration with the City of Toronto, Jessica is working to bring fast, frequent, and reliable bus service to neighborhoods across the city, improving how people move through, and interact with, their communities.
