Ontario Ministry of Transportation - Essay Example

Air passenger travel is very critical in the tourism industry due to its high demand. Transportation in Ontario is well structured and it involves scenic and sightseeing transportation in land, water and other forms (Niagara Falls Web). There are also truck utility trailers and other recreational vehicles that serve tourists in rental and leasing.

Ontario Ministry of Transportation has had many investments that promote both transportation and border crossings as a way of attracting tourists in Ontario (Web). New and improved federal public infrastructure has been built including passenger rail services, higher train services, railway safety, bridges and aviation security. Ministry of transportation actively participates in high accessibility plans to eliminate barriers for people with disabilities. The province’s accessibility has largely been increased through the plan making it possible for the tourists to move from one place to the other. More accessible and safe modes of transport are given priority by the ministry through supporting and investing in municipalities (Ontario Ecotourism Society Web).

Ontario Ministry of Transportation provides information regarding the operational service centres such as the newly developed ONroute, which is open 24/7 (Web). These service centres may help tourists who may perhaps want to park or even want to fuel their cars thus providing accessibility. The locations of the service centres, therefore, remain vital for the tourists for convenience purposes. The service centres are further helpful in providing tourism information such as the staffed Ontario Tourism Centres located at the Tilbury South-eastbound as well as the Bainsville-westbound where tourists can find travel information regarding attractions in Ontario. Moreover, the transportation ministry has collaborated with the tourism and culture ministry to provide trained Ontario travel counselors who offer services such as currency exchange, travel ideas, Ontario maps and promotions for local products (Niagara Falls Web).

Additionally, the ministry has provided information regarding road conditions which is very crucial especially during winter in minimizing accidents that may occur due to visibility problems. Some of the road conditions prescribed include road is snow-covered, partially snow-covered, the road is icy, bare, closed and packed (Niagara Falls Web). There are also official road maps produced by the ministry to help tourists with directions as they travel across Ontario. According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, there is road safety information that is very helpful for tourists to understand proper road usage (Web). The transportation ministry provides clear guidelines and information for both specialized and conventional transport systems in all the municipalities thus making it easier for tourists to budget and plan for their travel costs.

Furthermore, the ministry of transportation has had a cycling strategy for Ontario to increase the number of cyclists and enhance safe road usage. Roads and highways have been having provided a great platform for both daily cycling and recreational cycling. Cycling alone has been introduced in Ontario as a tourist attraction event. The ministry coordinates numerous cycling initiatives and shares cycling information with relevant provincial ministries through the Inter-Ministerial Active Transportation Working Group to improve cycling as a mode of transport. It is undeniable that Ontario is becoming a premier-cycling destination since the sector has significantly experienced growth in the last few years. The Ontario Cycle Tourism Forum 2013 showcased the region’s cycle tourism achievement story, showed how “bikes mean business” to the tourism industry and inspired participation amongst various stakeholders (Ontario Ecotourism Society Web).

Generally, Ontario brags numerous extensive and efficient transportation systems that offer tourists a number of alternatives of moving around the province including air, land and water options. Airports are packed with rental cars or airport taxis as well as shuttles that are readily available at the premises of all the Ontario airports including Hamilton, London, Ottawa, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Toronto and Windsor airports (Niagara Falls Web). There are both international and national airlines operating in Ontario hence contributing to the transportation of tourists to the province. Some of the airlines operating in Ontario are Air Canada, Porter Airlines and WestJet while the domestic airlines that only operate within the province are Air Canada Jazz, Air Creebec, Bearskin Airlines and Wasaya Airways (Ontario Ministry of Transportation Web). These are indeed great steps made by the Ministry of transportation, which has made it easy for the various airlines, trains and buses to operate. At least every tourist visiting Ontario will experience the improved and better services offered by Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation. Read More