A culture of constant improvement at The City of Calgary.: RouteAhead

RouteAhead was started in 2012 to create a new long term plan for Calgary Transit through extensive public engagement.

Customers can see continuous improvement at work in the RouteAhead project. Citizens participate in public engagement on the RouteAhead Engagement Bus. Project team members are front and centre in public engagement, and customers are able to give feedback directly to staff members involved in the project. Citizens have been prompted by seeing the RouteAhead bus in action to Tweet, blog, email, and phone the RouteAhead team and stay in touch with the progress on the plan. Citizen’s comments are displayed on the side of the bus on large decals so Calgarians can see their input first-hand.

RouteAhead is an example of Transforming Government because it is a new and innovative way to engage citizens for their input about the future of Calgary Transit. The extensive public engagement phase has created new awareness of Calgary Transit and how customers can have a say in the priorities for the future. “It’s Your Budget. You Decide” was a highly successful online financial allocation tool that also helped citizens understand the fiscal challenges involved in making improvements to transit service.

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What is Transforming Government?

Government exists to serve citizens. Every day, citizens are touched by The City of Calgary and the services it offers. Transforming Government is a culture of constant improvement at The City of Calgary — improvement that makes life better for all citizens.

In 2011, Mayor Naheed Nenshi and City Council unanimously agreed to embrace and reinforce this approach to constant improvement — Transforming Government is a way to do just that. So, when you see the Transforming Government stamp on something, you know it is part of something that makes Calgary even better.

A public work, an initiative, project, program or plan marked with Transforming Government reflects one or more of the following principles:

Transparency provides a clear view of exactly what’s going on “behind the scenes”, so citizens can understand why a project or service exists.

Accountability is the clear demonstration of how and why The City has done something, and that The City and Council accept responsibility for the decision, program or plan.

Civic Engagement is a commitment to bring together citizens, organizations, and City employees in the planning and development of our great city.

Innovation describes new ideas, services, or approaches that make living and working in Calgary even better.

Citizen Orientation ensures that a program, project or service is designed with customers or citizens in mind.

Sustainability describes long-term thinking that makes for a healthy community, environment, and economy, now and in the future.

RouteAhead

A culture of constant improvement at The City of Calgary.

What is Transforming Government?

Public Spaces

Customer Service

Transportation

Environmental