Wally has a passion for the Transit business, a proven background that puts his clients at ease and a history of innovation in the Transit industry. His ability to communicate effectively at all levels helps to build consensus in all his studies.

Career Summary

Possess 23 years of progressive municipal experience primarily as the senior Transit official in Kitchener-Waterloo, complemented by 14 years in the consulting field.

Implemented a number of industry firsts and leading edge strategies in the areas of transit oriented design, route network design, transit accessibility, transit technologies, fare policies and revenue management systems, labour concessions, and securing enhanced external funding. Before leaving the City of Kitchener, laid the groundwork for the Region of Waterloo Bus Rapid Transit and Light Rail Transit initiatives underway today.

Joined HDR in 2003 as their first Transit consultant and led the Transit practice area as Vice President from 2007-2012. He helped build HDR into a top tier Transit Planning and Engineering firm in Canada. Wally established Beck Transit Consultig Inc. Consultig Inc. Consulting in November 2012 and has direct access to other transit specialists across Canada that may be needed to get a job done.

Consulting Industry Accomplishments

Reputation across Canada as the go-to person at HDR for Transit planning and operations expertise; Involved in over 100 projects from rural to large urban environments and national studies

Assisted municipalities in securing grants or receiving external enhanced funding Presented Transit papers at national and regional conferences

Two clients received national CUTA awards for innovation and efficiency excellence

Prepared a paper for Transportation Association of Canada entitled Right-sizing Transit: What is a Reasonable Level of Investment” designed for the non-Transit professional and elected officials

Numerous letters of commendation from clients – municipal and federal

Developed a unique design concept and operations plan for the Kipling Subway Station multi-modal terminal; the design was the first concept in over 40 years that was supported by the TTC

Introduced Carbon Dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) effectiveness measure to secure enhanced funding

Became a national expert in rural community transit service, including transit feasibility studies through to the implementation and start-up of new transit systems

Involved in the functional design and business case assessments for the Presto card system, including the business case for Oshawa Transit and York Region Transit

Developed the York Region Transit travel training manual – now called myRide - considered a model for other Ontario transit systems

95% of transit consulting projects managed were undertaken on time and within budget

Public Sector Accomplishments

Progressed from Transit Planner to Director of Kitchener Transit within 3 years at the age of 29

No increase in size of Transit administration support staff during 18-year tenure

Became one of the most technologically advanced transit systems in North America by 1982; implemented computerized scheduling, automated passenger counting and reporting system, automated passenger information system, and vehicle location technology (predecessor of GPS)

Had foresight to replace/ expand transit fleet by 25% before Provincial capital funding disappeared

Reduced bus operator absenteeism by 30% and reduced maintenance staff by over 20%

Only 22 lost days due to strikes over 18 years (Canadian Auto Workers - CAW)

CAW acceptance of contracted low-cost transit feeder services

Secured from 90% to 100% demonstration funding for several transit technology investments

Helped develop the functional capabilities of the first successful smart card project in North America

Managed all short- and long-term service plans, which were developed in-house

Increased the role that Transit plays in urban growth through adoption of transit-supportive development design guidelines in 1979 and saw the positive impact they had to help shape urban form and reduce future

Transit costs; guidelines were emulated by many municipalities in Ontario

Responsible for the location, concept design, and operation of the world class 28 bus bay (inter-modal) Kitchener Downtown Transportation Centre (built under budget at $10M in 1986); also negotiated with Province of Ontario to increase the funding available at the time

Developed a Time Transfer System, establishing primary and secondary transit nodes and corridors, which were included in the Regional Official Policy Plan Review document

Lead the design of four satellite bus terminals (mobility hubs) to accommodate up to 12 buses

First official to have a low-floor wheelchair only accessible bus purchase policy in North America

Introduced a number of initiatives in the early 1990s that meet today’s AODA requirements

Developed a strategy to increase efficiency of school ‘specials’ by over 50%

Successfully secured approval to purchase abandoned railway corridors for future BRT/ LRT service

Several presentations at Canadian and Ontario transit conferences, including roles on expert panels

Contributing author to the Canadian Transit Handbook

1990-1992 transit consulting assignments in Windhoek, Namibia through Africa 2000 CIDA-FCM project; over 60 recommendations were adopted and the project was considered a model of success

Developed route network and ridership forecasts for the amalgamated transit systems of Halifax Transit, Dartmouth Transit and Acadian Bus Lines (Metro Transit Commission)

Introduced and trained Halifax Transit staff in the use of RUCUS, which was the earliest version of transit scheduling software in the world; this helped reduce the peak fleet by 10%

Transit and and Specialized Transit Services

Public and Private sector Transit clients
Conventional Transit, Specialized Transit
BRT, Coach, Student Transportation
Planning and Operations
Transit feasibility studies and implementation plans
Route network and service design
Service and route reviews
Low-cost methods of service delivery
Transit-oriented design
Smart card technology and implementation
Ridership Growth Strategies
Asset Management
Business Models and Governance
State of Accessibility and AODA
Business Case Assessments
Long-term Transit strategies
Alternative low-cost forms of service delivery
Public and stakeholder consultations
Union-management relations
Organization reviews
CAD/ AVL and TSP functional design and implementation
Public consultations

Public Transportation Feasibility Studies

Bradford West Gwillimbury, Ontario
East Hants, Nova Scotia
Municipal District of Lunenburg
Town of Stratford (PEI)
Town of Cornwall (PEI)
Town of Drumheller, Alberta
Red Deer County, Alberta
City of Selkirk, Manitiba
Community Care Northumberland
Municipality of Prince Edward County

BRT/ LRT Strategies

Mississauga Transit (Transit Advisor)
Durham Region Transit
Brampton Transit BRT Integration
Kitchener Transit Transit Priority
TTC Transit Priority and HOV lanes
TTC LRT (Transit Advisor)

Transit Master Plans, Service Reviews, Ridership Growth/ Asset Management Plan

Woof Buffalo Transit (Fort McMurray)
Grande Prairie Transit
Barrie Transit
Mississauga Transit
Durham Region Transit
Burlington Transit
Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Sault St. Marie Transit
Port Hope Transit/ Cobourg Transit
Huntsville Transit
Windhoek, Namibia
Doha, Qatar

Specialized Transit Studies

Sault Transit Parabus 5-Year Integration Plan
Travel Training Program and Current State of Accessibility – York Region Transit
Handi-Trans Service Review, Cape Breton
Para-Transit Service Review, St. John’s
Handi-Dart, Coast Mountain Bus Company
Bruce Grey Huron Disability Corporation
Northumberland County
Towns of Cobourg and Port Hope
Community Care Northumberland
Accessible Transportation (Hamilton)
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
Kitchener-Waterloo Accessibility Implementation Plan

Transit Terminal Function Designs

Islington and Kipling Subway Station: Bus Terminal Operations Study and Inter-modal Terminal Functional Design – TTC, Mississauga Transit, and GO Transit
Wood Buffalo Transit Terminal Design
Grande Prairie Location and Concept Design
Alton Inter-modal Terminal and Parking Facility Functional Design (Burlington)
City of Kitchener Downtown Transportation Inter-modal Bus Terminal functional design
Fairview Park Mall Transit Terminal Functional Design (Kitchener)
University of Waterloo (Waterloo)
Highland Hills Mall Terminal (Kitchener)
Stanley Park Mall (Kitchener)

Other Project Manager Roles

Transit Cape Breton and Handi-Trans Service Review
Wood Buffalo Transit Master Plan Implementation Retainer
York Region Transit Retainer
Grande Prairie Transit Smart Card Business Case Assessment
Integrated Student Transportation Plan for City of Grande Prairie
Greater Toronto Area Farecard System (Smart Card) – York Region Transit
Employee Transit Pass Program Evaluation – Transport Canada
Ontario Ridership Audit Study – Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA)
Timed Transfer System (TTS) – Kitchener-Waterloo
Integrated Traveler Information System – Moving The Economy
Strategic Goods Movement Study – Ministry of Transportation (Onatrio)
Smart Card Business Case Assessments: Sault Ste. Marie, Oshawa, Bradford, Grande Prairie, Wood Buffalo
Transit Technology Implementation Plan and Implementation – Kitchener-Waterloo
Transit Supportive Land Use Design Guidelines for the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo, & the Region of Waterloo
Regional Transit Study for Halifax, Dartmouth and Bedford/ Sackville
Transit Priority (Halifax Transit)

Education

Civil Engineering, Municipal Discipline – Diploma (1975),
Ryerson Polytechnical Institute/ University
Numerous technical, management and labour relations courses throughout career

Professional Affiliations

Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists
Numerous speaking engagements throughout career at CUTA, OPTA and TAC
Advisor to Project Lift Board of Directors (10 yrs)
Founder and Past Chairman of Kitchener-Kitchener-Waterloo Community Transportation Action Plan
Founding Member of the Waterloo – St. Jacobs Tourist Train
Board Member Canadian National Institute for the Blind (5 yrs)