[The Jabroni]

No, it's the shady kids piling up at the front too!

Either way, shady kids are everywhere. :rolleyes:

...and Kinguni, I couldn't agree with you anymore. Those new sensors are awesome, but sometimes when you have a packed bus, people will be standing too close to the door when the bus stops over at a bus stop, and those doors open by "accident," and then wonder why the bus is not moving because they're standing too close to those sensors. I know you probably get frustrated sometimes, but you're not the only one when that happens. :)

[Kinguni]

I know you probably get frustrated sometimes, but you're not the only one when that happens. :)

Eh, I'm at a point where really nothing really bothers or phases me. Well, sort of. I usually have one thing kicking at me. Right now it's all the cars and trucks in the curb lane on eastbound Portage Ave. downtown during rush hour. 7 minutes given to me to get from Balmoral to Fort and it typically takes 11 or 12 minutes which is ridiculous.

[vid]

Imagine taking 12 minutes when you only have 7 just because traffic is normal. That's what it is like here with unrealistic timing points set up by a management that doesn't seem to know much about the system they run.

[Kinguni]

Imagine taking 12 minutes when you only have 7 just because traffic is normal. That's what it is like here with unrealistic timing points set up by a management that doesn't seem to know much about the system they run.

We have stuff like that too. Imagine you're on a bus that terminates downtown and you need to transfer to another bus. Your bus pulls on to Portage Ave. and you see the bus you need just ahead pulling away from the stop, but because the bus you are on has a timing point right there the driver can't chase the other bus down to make your connection. He has to wait until the schedule says go, just in case someone was planning to catch that bus to go 4 stops up the road (when there's a bus through there going to the same place every few minutes).

Now, me, I'd chase that bus down anyways, but we do have inspectors that will write a driver up for leaving their last downtown timing point before the terminal early and a lot of drivers simply won't risk that.

[1ajs]

if ur polite enuff to the drivers they might just chase after that bus for u

or thats my experiance anyways

[jeremy_haak]

Products in use for mass public transportation need to be designed for all users, experienced yellow stripe pushers and unexperienced ones. I think it can be agreed that these yellow stripes work but that they are a poor design for the general public.

An opening mechanism should have a tactile response or a visual signal that the users action is producing a response in the machine.

Think of buttons in an elevator that you push, and how they light up letting people know they are working. The act of pushing it and feeling the button move lets the user know its working.

This was also the idea behind the blackberry storm's screen that pushes in and clicks ever so slightly indicating that the action took place.

Engineers need to be in touch with human nature and the expected responses we want out of our machines and devices. If you are going to design a product design it to serve humans in the most simple efficient and effective way possible. Don't make humans learn how to use the machine just because its finicky.

Man, that is advice a *lot* of companies should take. :tup:

[viperred88]

Transit to test bike boxes

By ROSS ROMANIUK, SUN MEDIA

The city might be pedalling into a new era in its park-and-ride projects, encouraging cycling as well as bus use.

In the weeks ahead, Winnipeg Transit will begin testing two enclosed bicycle lockers -- free for public use -- and see whether cyclists jump aboard the concept of leaving their wheels in mid-trip to climb onto buses.

"It will be on a first-come, first-served basis," said Jonathan Borland, Transit's information supervisor. "If you're biking to work in the morning and it starts to rain or something, you can throw your bike in the locker and use your bike lock on it."

The metallic storage units, each holding two bicycles, will be available through the coming spring, summer and fall -- one at a Transit stop at St. Vital Centre and the other at Confusion Corner.

Each container has a barrier to keep bikes separate, and was built with a key system which Transit is altering to allow riders to use their own locks.

"Part of the reason that we're switching to a different kind of lock is that the one on there now is frozen," Borland said with a chuckle.

The four-foot-high units -- each costing Transit about $1,800 -- are being given a green light from at least one Winnipeg cycling expert even before they're available.

"The more of these contraptions they can put out there, the better," said Jean-Francois Ravenelle, president and general manager of Gord's Ski and Bike. "We sell lots of bikes to people whose No. 1 concern is, 'I want to do this but don't want my bike stolen.' "

[Kinguni]

Trouble is, what happens when you plan to use one of the 2 storage spots and they're both taken already? And $1800 for a big piece of plastic? Gotta be something better. Chain link lockup areas like CBC has, with keys available for a fee. Then lock your bike inside that. That would work.

[jimj_wpg]

Because it's government, it's gonna cost more than what the private sector can do.

And that Borland fella. I assume he's related to former Director of WT, Rick Borland.

[rrskylar]

Because it's government, it's gonna cost more than what the private sector can do.

And that Borland fella. I assume he's related to former Director of WT, Rick Borland.

City of Winnipeg personnel dept. could easily change their name to Nepotism dept. so as not to confuse current employee's who probably have no clue as to what finding a job in the private sector is all about.

[Kinguni]

City of Winnipeg personnel dept. could easily change their name to Nepotism dept. so as not to confuse current employee's who probably have no clue as to what finding a job in the private sector is all about.

You are correct sir! :tup:

[1ajs]

anyone ever aplied to be a bus driver they make u do some bizzar aptitude test and somthing like 90% of people fail it?

[Kinguni]

Nothing strange about the aptitude test questions. It's all common sense, which a lot of people don't possess. It's actually a series of tests in 2 sessions, and then after that they actually put you behind the wheel and see if you have the aptitude to drive the bus. They lose around 50% each session.

[spiritedenergy]

I saw they put an electronic panel at Pembina and University, i guess it's a display of the incoming buses? That would be great, hopefully it will be expanded.

[1ajs]

Nothing strange about the aptitude test questions. It's all common sense, which a lot of people don't possess. It's actually a series of tests in 2 sessions, and then after that they actually put you behind the wheel and see if you have the aptitude to drive the bus. They lose around 50% each session.
questions about what u do if a co worker asks u out thats a bizzar question to me

[vid]

I think that would be a pretty common question on job tests.

[1ajs]

wha? just seems like a bizzar question to me

[vid]

Well co-workers coming on to you is an issue in some places. I've seen bus drivers talk to each other before. They're unnecessarily frisky.

[1ajs]

i honestly have no idea how to answer a question like that my self its just bizzar

[Kinguni]

questions about what u do if a co worker asks u out thats a bizzar question to me

That's a new one on me. Then again, it's been a long time since I went through the testing so I'm sure it's changed a little in the last 16 or 17 years. :koko:

[1ajs]

i know someone at wrote it and failed on some really bizarre questions

[h0twired]

i honestly have no idea how to answer a question like that my self its just bizzar

That's because you haven't really been in the workforce that much yet.

Work in an office setting for 10 years and you will know exactly how to answer that question and why they ask it in the first place.

[newflyer]

i honestly have no idea how to answer a question like that my self its just bizzar

Well ... :eek: or :thankyouthankyou: would be two possible answers.

While inter-office relations is frowned apon in most work places, I can assure you it does happen anyways.

[Kinguni]

More than you could ever imagine.

[rrskylar]

Couple comments on transit from readers of the Winnipeg Sun:


Ok, here's something for Gerbasi - the reason nobody wants to take transit is because it's more of a taxi service than bus service. For someone who lives in Transcona and wants to get to the airport by bus, it takes 2 hours!! TWO! Why would anyone do that when they can hop in their car and make it in a MUCH shorter time frame? Also, next time you're in traffic, follow a bus and notice how many times it stops in a few blocks. I was behind one on Dakota street and saw it stop twice in a block. On St. Anne's road, every half block there's a stop. Is that necessary?!! NO! Remove some of the stops. People can walk a few blocks. That's why transit is so damn slow. It's a freakin joke and I would never trade my car for that crap service.



I recently moved back to Wpg from the lower mainland and experienced gridlock for 16 years.The greater vancouver area infastructure is also about 20 years behind,but they are trying very hard to eleviate the traffic problems that they are experiencing because "They have a plan"!! Talking about it isn't going help solve Winnipegs traffic problems.I've already seen poor land management on old rail lines that could have been used for Rapid transit!Instead I see townhomes and condos being built.As the old saying says,"Talk is Cheap"!



I too have wondered about the wisdom of converting old rail lines into anything that cannot easily be converted back!

[viperred88]

Couple comments on transit from readers of the Winnipeg Sun:


Ok, here's something for Gerbasi - the reason nobody wants to take transit is because it's more of a taxi service than bus service. For someone who lives in Transcona and wants to get to the airport by bus, it takes 2 hours!! TWO! Why would anyone do that when they can hop in their car and make it in a MUCH shorter time frame? Also, next time you're in traffic, follow a bus and notice how many times it stops in a few blocks. I was behind one on Dakota street and saw it stop twice in a block. On St. Anne's road, every half block there's a stop. Is that necessary?!! NO! Remove some of the stops. People can walk a few blocks. That's why transit is so damn slow. It's a freakin joke and I would never trade my car for that crap service.



I recently moved back to Wpg from the lower mainland and experienced gridlock for 16 years.The greater vancouver area infastructure is also about 20 years behind,but they are trying very hard to eleviate the traffic problems that they are experiencing because "They have a plan"!! Talking about it isn't going help solve Winnipegs traffic problems.I've already seen poor land management on old rail lines that could have been used for Rapid transit!Instead I see townhomes and condos being built.As the old saying says,"Talk is Cheap"!



I too have wondered about the wisdom of converting old rail lines into anything that cannot easily be converted back!

very valid points. there are way too many stops that are half a block away from another. Even by Myrtle and Notre Dame and by HSC. and aswell by the mall off grant.

[Bdog]

It doesn't take 2 hours to get to the airport from Transcona...Unless this guy is going there at 3 am on a holiday...

[vid]

He's probably just retarded.

[viperred88]

people like to exaggerate to get attention.

it would be nice to have a rapid transit route leading to the airport without parking that huge parkade or worry about familly to bring or pick you up from airport.

Just geting to the airport is stressful enough to make sure you get there on time of departure.

[Spocket]

Uh...it's taken me two hours to get from about St. Vital Center to near the Charleswood bridge. It's not because the buses are all that slow it's because the transfers are so bad. Anybody who's ever taken a bus on a Sunday can tell you to expect trip times to be at least one hour if they have to transfer and that's just the major routes. Sorry...that's experience talking.

[Spocket]

Oooops...double post

[1ajs]

yea i hate the sunday and holiday hrs crap we need to get rid of that and just make every day a day and alow people to take days off any day of the week

if people must go to church then let them take sunday off... its meh

[Blurgle]

Couple comments on transit from readers of the Winnipeg Sun:

Remove some of the stops. People can walk a few blocks.

Because there are no older or disabled people in Winnipeg.

[MalcolmTucker]

Don't you have para -transit for disabled people?

It would likely be cheaper to provide the marginal user a couple taxi vouchers and improve the speed for everyone else. Heck, even leave a milk run on the route once an hour and make the other runs only stop every 500m or so.

[viperred88]

yea i hate the sunday and holiday hrs crap we need to get rid of that and just make every day a day and alow people to take days off any day of the week

if people must go to church then let them take sunday off... its meh

the idea of having of everyone having a day off on sunday is so everyone can enjoy it together like famillies.

That sunday holiday should never have been taken away.

[bryanscott]

the idea of having of everyone having a day off on sunday is so everyone can enjoy it together like famillies.

That sunday holiday should never have been taken away.

For real? I didn't think people thought like that anymore.

[newflyer]

He's probably just retarded.

Maybe he just doesn't know where the bus stop is ... :shrug: and it takes him that long to flag down a bus.

[1ajs]

Don't you have para -transit for disabled people?

It would likely be cheaper to provide the marginal user a couple taxi vouchers and improve the speed for everyone else. Heck, even leave a milk run on the route once an hour and make the other runs only stop every 500m or so.
yea handy transit

[1ajs]

the idea of having of everyone having a day off on sunday is so everyone can enjoy it together like famillies.

That sunday holiday should never have been taken away.
i hate it i rather have sunday not be so messed up only reson why its the way it is, is because of religion

[hexrae]

i hate it i rather have sunday not be so messed up only reson why its the way it is, is because of religion

People and their beliefs :haha: Just had to say it. I'm with you somewhat though, I'd like to see more services on Sundays.

[1ajs]

People and their beliefs :haha: Just had to say it. I'm with you somewhat though, I'd like to see more services on Sundays.


i think people should be able to take this day any day of the week

[viperred88]

i hate it i rather have sunday not be so messed up only reson why its the way it is, is because of religion

For me and many of my friends sunday its a familly day and a day of rest, and not religion. And NFL sunday lol

[vid]

Off peak transit here actually works better for me. I can get groceries in 40 minutes instead of 60, get uptown in 15 minutes instead of 25, extra buses run during the day on Sunday and in early evenings so it's actually easier to catch a bus then, if you miss one, another goes by in five minutes. The only bad thing about Sunday transit here is that it doesn't start until 8 am and ends at 10:40.

[viperred88]

i hate it i rather have sunday not be so messed up only reson why its the way it is, is because of religion

For me and many of my friends sunday its a familly day and a day of rest, and not religion.

[metonymy]

Tender opening was held for the first contract on the rapid transit corridor (for land drainage works only, no road construction yet).

Nelson River - $5.1 million
Mulder - $5.9 million
Borland - $6.3 million
Tallieau - $8.6 million
Cambrian - $12.6 million

[Blurgle]

Don't you have para -transit for disabled people?

It would likely be cheaper to provide the marginal user a couple taxi vouchers and improve the speed for everyone else. Heck, even leave a milk run on the route once an hour and make the other runs only stop every 500m or so.

For the very disabled, sure. For the moderately disabled, no. And it doesn't work very well.

Are you going to pay for para-transit for 30,000 seniors?

[Spocket]

^^Are we sure about what we're building yet ? Not that this phase of the project depends on that really but sooner or later , if we're not sure of what's going in , we can't really do much other than some site prep.

[1ajs]

brt line built to be upgraded to lrt

[Spocket]

^Yeah , it's just that with all the "insider information" about how we're not sure what type of rapid transit we're going for I'm wondering if there is at least any real debate going on in the mayor's office or if it's a settled issue.

[1ajs]

who knows but the city basicaly has a plan its going to tender with that the mayor is spouting on about somthing els witch could be another leg of the network...

[Blurgle]

the mayor is spouting on about somthing

I haven't been in Winnipeg that long, but isn't that basically all the mayor does?

[jimj_wpg]

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXY and Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr5er4ueWBQ

[1ajs]

huh? whats that got to do with anything jim?

[jimj_wpg]

I'm just bored.

I'm not picking on you this time.

Just feeling nostalgic for the old times.

Nothing much is happening with Transit, except the preliminary work.

[1ajs]

better then nothing though

[hexrae]

Winnipeggers' top concern? Roads, transit (http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/roads-transit-at-top-poll-42656442.html)
Younger people evenly split

By: Bartley Kives

Younger Winnipeg adults are more likely than their older counterparts to consider rapid transit a priority, according to a new Probe Research poll commissioned by the Free Press.

Given the choice of approving just one infrastructure project in Winnipeg, 52 per cent of respondents to a March telephone survey of 600 adults selected road and bridge repairs as their priority, compared to 22 per cent who favoured the construction of a rapid-transit line, 21 per cent who chose to complete the city's $1.8-billion waste-water upgrade and a mere five per cent who valued a new football stadium for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers above the other three options.

While those numbers are not surprising, the picture changes dramatically when the sample is broken down by age, as Winnipeggers 18 to 34 are almost just as concerned about rapid transit as they are with road repairs, the survey suggests.

"That's something to know for the future," said Probe Research president Scott MacKay. "As the debate over rapid transit continues, the people who will really be driving this are the young people. Young people are greener, it would seem."

This summer, Winnipeg will begin to build the first phase of a $327-million, 9.6-kilometre bus corridor that will eventually connect downtown with the University of Manitoba.

The first phase, slated to be completed in 2011, is a $138-million, 3.6-kilometre span between Queen Elizabeth Way near The Forks and Jubilee Avenue near Pembina Highway. The expense includes a bridge over Osborne Street south of Confusion Corner, a tunnel under the CNR Fort Rouge Yards and the purchase or expropriation of 11 parcels of privately owned land along the corridor.

The city is borrowing $90 million to help pay for its share of the first phase of the project and doesn't expect to pay off the loan until 2039. Ottawa and the province have contributed a total of $45 million.

But the city has yet to determine how it will finance the $189-million second phase of the bus corridor. To that end, Mayor Sam Katz has asked Ottawa for $600 million to complete the corridor and also build an ultra-light rail tramway that would run from Queen Elizabeth Way through downtown to the University of Winnipeg.

While it's clear the majority of Winnipeggers see road and bridge repairs as their top priority, Mayor Sam Katz said he was pleased to see rapid transit and waste water each seem to be the top infrastructure priorities for a fifth of the populace.

"These are things that should be on the top of people's minds, because we're talking about them here at city hall and they're getting media attention," Katz said.

The city is in the midst of upgrading its three waste-water treatment facilities to reduce nutrient loading into the Lake Winnipeg watershed and is also replacing combined sewers with dedicated pipes for rainwater and sewage.

The poll was conducted before all three levels of government and Canwest vice-president David Asper announced a $135-million deal to build a new Canadian Football League stadium at the University of Manitoba, aided by $35 million from Ottawa and Broadway.

The nature of the survey, which forced respondents to choose just one infrastructure project when governments can in fact complete several simultaneously, should not be construed as suggesting Winnipeggers don't care about a new stadium for the Blue Bombers, MacKay said.

"People aren't saying 'We don't want one.' They're saying, 'If you're making us pick one thing, we have to pick the roads,'" said the pollster, noting the survey was carried out at a time of year when Winnipeggers are most concerned about roads. "When the snow retreats, we see how bad a shape the roads are in."

bartley.kives@freepress.mb.ca

How about this then? A tramway between QEW -> Downtown -> U of W

[Boreal]

I would be ecstatic to see this come to fruition as it is proposed. Seperated BRT corridor between the UofM and the QEW (with a major station at Jubilee), with ultra-light rail winding its way through the downtown proper to the UofW is a good option in my mind.

[jimj_wpg]

Ultra light-rail = Simpson's monorail. :haha:

[thegreattait]

No that would be a

"Genuine,
Bona fide,
Electrified,
Six-car
Monorail!"

not exactly Ultra light

[Only The Lonely..]

I've heard there's monorails in Brockway, Ogdenville, and North Haverbrook..and by golly it sure put those places on the map!

[The Jabroni]

"But what about Main Street!?" ;)

[Only The Lonely..]

"But what about Main Street!?" ;)

Main Street is all cracked and broken, sorry Jabroni but the mob has spoken!

Mono-rail, monorail...mono-r-a-i-l!!!!

[1ajs]

:haha::haha:

[swolfe]

What about us drunken' slobs?

[Spocket]

^I thought we just covered that ? :haha:

[newflyer]

If mono-rail comes to town I'll be very impressed!! :yes:

[jimj_wpg]

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Transit bus stolen

By Chris Kitching, SUN MEDIA


City police will be poring over surveillance tapes today to identify a man who stole a Winnipeg Transit bus early this morning.
Police said the theft happened when the man became unruly on board the bus during its final stop at northbound Main Street and James Avenue about 2 a.m.
A handful of passengers exited, except the man, who was asleep at the back of the bus. He was awakened by the driver, a 48-year-old man, and told he had to get off at the downtown stop in front of the Centennial Concert Hall.
The man told the driver he wanted a ride to a specific location, possibly giving an exact address, but the driver told him it wasn’t going to happen, police said.
That’s when the man became aggressive and at one point spat at and shoved the driver, police said.
Fearing for his safety, the driver got off the bus. The man then jumped into the driver's seat and drove off, leaving the driver behind on the sidewalk.
“It certainly appears the driver did the right thing by not putting himself in jeopardy ... and trying to remove himself from the situation,” said police spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen.
No other passengers were aboard, police said.
The bus was found a short time later near Main Street and Mountain Avenue in the North End, police said.
Police said the suspect boarded the bus at Corydon Avenue and Kenaston Boulevard in Tuxedo and may have been intoxicated.
No one has been arrested. The driver engaged the bus’s emergency brake before the incident, so the vehicle may have some brake damage, police said.
It doesn’t appear the bus was involved in any collisions during the joyride, police said.
Police said the male suspect is white, in his late 20s, and has brown hair and is balding. He was wearing a three-quarter length brown winter jacket, white T-shirt and blue jeans.
Anyone with information about the theft or the suspect’s identity is asked to call Division 11 detectives at 986-6668 or Crime Stoppers at 786-8477.
Late last year, the city began installing video surveillance systems on all transit buses.

Must have been from the older stepped buses like the 300, 600 or the 800 series because WT hasn't installed surveillance cameras on them yet.

Aren't the buses supposed to have some kind of "secret switch" to disallow moving the bus so that low-lifes like this guy can't steal the bus in the first place?

Also the reporter claims that Corydon @ Kenaston is in Tuxedo, where in fact it is still part of River Heights. Tuxedo's boundary begins on the western side of Edgeland (gee, I wonder why they called it Edgeland back then?).

[Only The Lonely..]

:previous:

Taking the bus non-stop to your front door. Now, that's rapid transit!

[harls]

Sounds like someone I know who lives near there. Thought it was him until I read the description.

[spiritedenergy]

:previous:

Taking the bus non-stop to your front door. Now, that's rapid transit!

:haha:

[The Jabroni]

I guess the guy just wanted to go home, but the driver said he couldn't because it was the last stop allowed. Pure speculation on my part, but it could have been that case, and basically, common sense would have defused that situation.

[Kinguni]

Pure speculation on my part

Much so. I don't know the full details however, so I won't speculate. I can say that something like that was bound to happen, because those last buses get downtown and that's it. This guy wanted to go farther down Main St., whereas the bus was out of service and heading back the other way to the transit garage on Osborne St. The street inspectors would have been gone home by that point too so no help available other that WPS, who tend to be a little busy at that time of night usually, so by the time they get there it tends to be a little too late.

Common sense doesn't apply to an obnoxious drunk who's spitting on you. Can I say the situation would have been different had I been operating that bus? No, because I wasn't there.

[ssiguy]

With the current floods in Winnipeg its clear an elevated system would be very beneficial.

[MalcolmTucker]

Doesn't really matter, you wouldn't really run it when there was a flood anyways.

The only good reason to grade separate it is to improve service, and I don't really think any system built will really need that much capacity.

Exclusive ROW would produce more than enough capacity to meet Winnipeg's needs.

[thegreattait]

Subway systems aren't typically affected by floods (they run under rivers all the time in New York) so either elevated or underground either way dedicated and seperated ROW is the way to go.


Also Subway systems can be elevated, as in Novosibirsk Russia, it has the worlds longest subway Bridge.

[vid]

New Yorks subways require pumps to run constantly to keep water out of them. If they lost power, within 32 hours, New York's entire subway network would be a system of subterranean rivers.

[thegreattait]

yes but the river level can change and it won't affect the subway as long as there is power to the pumps, heck if there is no power the suway or any electrified transit system won't run.

[jimj_wpg]

Saw the documentary Life After People on History Television Sunday.

http://www.history.ca/ontv/titledetails.aspx?titleid=120279

They said that if the water pumps in the world's subway tunnels were to stop working because of the lack of humans to maintain them, the tunnels would fill with water.

But that means that if Winnipeg were to go ahead and build a subway, and we were not nuked or something bad like that...if there are enough humans to maintain a subway... maybe we can keep such a system going.

[vid]

But such a system would be quite secondary to surviving the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust, don't you think? :)

The World Without Us by Alan Weisman goes into better detail about such things. I saw Life After People a few days ago and it wasn't very in depth about anything, it was like a 10 minute synopsis of the book. There was a lot of stuff I was expecting to see them explain and they didn't mention it. You could also tell it was an American production, too.

[jimj_wpg]

I could also tell it was an American production when they had the lights dim out from space there was just the United States highlighted.

[vid]

I missed that.. There are just certain things that Americans do when they're making programmes that other countries don't typically do and you can tell.

And of course, the History Channel is an American network.

The book isn't as Ameri-centric. It's way better than the show.

[Only The Lonely..]

Hey, it looks like those new electronic schedules with updated wait times are up and running at the Stafford & Pembina stop.

[spiritedenergy]

Hey, it looks like those new electronic schedules with updated wait times are up and running at the Stafford & Pembina stop.

it's been already several weeks... they also are at Pembina and University and Pembina at Plaza.

[Kinguni]

it's been already several weeks... they also are at Pembina and University and Pembina at Plaza.
There were 2 at the University terminal, but now just one. I think there are a few kinks that need working out from my brief glances at the displays. The display at the U of M says the bus leaves in 1 minute while the bus is pulling away from the stop on schedule. I saw one display on Pembina that said my bus was due in 3 minutes whereas my GPS display showed me right on time. It'll be a good system once they get the kinks worked out I'm sure.

[jimj_wpg]

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/councillor-pushes-trolley-buses-43866892.html

Councillor pushes trolley buses



Winnipeg could save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by embracing electric trolley buses, Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt says.
Decades after streetcars disappeared from Winnipeg, Wyatt wants to explore the idea of replacing diesel-powered buses with trolleys connected to overhead hydro wires.
On Wednesday, Wyatt plans to present city council with a motion to ask Winnipeg Transit to study the feasibility of electric trolley buses, which are in use in Vancouver and Edmonton.
Manitoba's ample access to relatively cheap hydro-electric power should make the technology viable in Winnipeg, says the new co-chair of Mayor Sam Katz's environmental advisory committee.
"Instead of relying on non-renewable carbon fuels, we could use renewable, clean, Manitoba-made energy," Wyatt said on Tuesday.
"Every time the price of diesel goes up one cent, it costs Winnipeg another $150,000 a year. If fuel costs rise, and most experts say they will, we will be forced to find alternatives because the cost of diesel will be a real burden on the transit system."
The trolley buses envisioned by Wyatt do not run on tracks, as Winnipeg streetcars did until 1955. They are more like the electric buses that circulated through the city until the 1960s and were phased out for good by 1970.
Winnipeg specifically wants to see whether electric trolleys could work in downtown Winnipeg to connect the University of Winnipeg with the $327-million rapid-transit corridor that will eventually extend from Queen Elizabeth Way near The Forks to Chancellor Matheson Road at the University of Manitoba.
The city is already studying the feasibility of extending an ultra-lightweight rail line described by Mayor Sam Katz as an "automated people mover" through downtown Winnipeg as a means of connecting the city's two largest universities. In January, the city made a $600-million request for federal funding toward an integrated rapid-transit system.
Katz declined to comment on Wyatt's plan, other than to say whenever anyone mentions the city's old streetcars and trolley buses, he laments the fact they were dismantled.
Vancouver, however, is the only Canadian city where trolley buses remain viable right now. Edmonton plans to phase out its trolleys by 2010.
Wyatt's motion will automatically move to city council's public works committee, which oversees Winnipeg Transit.
It will up to that committee -- Charleswood Coun. Bill Clement, Mynarski Coun. Harry Lazarenko, St. Boniface Coun. Dan Vandal and Daniel McIntyre Coun. Harvey Smith -- to decide whether to move the proposal on to Winnipeg Transit.

bartley.kives@freepress.mb.ca

[MalcolmTucker]

If your going to do trolley buses on a busway, you may as well do trams. You can keep the tramway mixed traffic, just have to lay down the roadbed around the rails. Will cost a bit more for the vehicles (which end up paying for themselves in longer lifespans), but not much more for the power wires.

[Only The Lonely..]

Stupid, stupid, stupid. :rolleyes:

Trolley Buses are the most idiotic thing i've heard out of city hall in a long time.

They have the same problems traveling at-grade that a regular bus has (red lights, rush hour traffic), but with the same limitations of a rail system.

I.e.) The Bus can only go wherever the electric cable goes.

This is the worst of both worlds. I don't care how cheap Hydro is.

My parents often talk about how in the 60's / 70's during a big snow storm the old trolley buses would slide out from under the cable and the whole thing would stall.

Moreover, all of Portage Ave in those days was littered with a spiders web of cables crossing every which way overhead.

There's a reason why Edmonton is currently scrapping their trolley bus system.

[vid]

Trolley buses only really make sense where there is a high traffic corridor (no need for buses to deviate much) and there are hills (electric motors have more torque). They make no sense for suburban routes though. And if you're going to go with a more expensive (to build) infrastructure you might as well go right up to something on rails.

[The Jabroni]

Stupid, stupid, stupid. :rolleyes:

Trolley Buses are the most idiotic thing i've heard out of city hall in a long time.

They have the same problems traveling at-grade that a regular bus has (red lights, rush hour traffic), but with the same limitations of a rail system.

I.e.) The Bus can only go wherever the electric cable goes.

This is the worst of both worlds. I don't care how cheap Hydro is.

My parents often talk about how in the 60's / 70's during a big snow storm the old trolley buses would slide out from under the cable and the whole thing would stall.

Moreover, all of Portage Ave in those days was littered with a spiders web of cables crossing every which way overhead.

There's a reason why Edmonton is currently scrapping their trolley bus system.

They should go with the wireless transit system instead... OH WAIT!! :banana:

[dennis]

I thought the newer trolley buses can deviate for short distances from the overhead wires. (more energy storage capacity???)

[The Jabroni]

I thought the newer trolley buses can deviate for short distances from the overhead wires. (more energy storage capacity???)

They can.

In Vancouver, those buses do it all the time. They switch to gasoline (or battery) for short distances whenever they have to transfer to a different line/route or go to back to the garage.

[0773|=\]

Cold weather tends to mess with the contacts on trolley buses. It's not a problem in Vancouver, but it often led to delays on Edmonton's system.

Also, you really don't know what kind of view you have above your head until it's gone... this idea has noble intentions, I'll give it that, but it's not well-suited for Winnipeg. Go for the LRT instead (seriously, imagine not having to drive to a Bomber's game!).

[ssiguy]

Trolley work well for Vancouver due to limited snow and the steep grades but when it does snow the things can completly break down. Its not a viable option for WinnipegRT. I still a lowly elevated monorail {NOT SkyTrain} would be ideal for Winnipeg because they are not effected by cold/snow and due to elevation they can continue to function during Winnipeg's frequent floods.

[Reed Solomon]

Trolley work well for Vancouver due to limited snow and the steep grades but when it does snow the things can completly break down. Its not a viable option for WinnipegRT. I still a lowly elevated monorail {NOT SkyTrain} would be ideal for Winnipeg because they are not effected by cold/snow and due to elevation they can continue to function during Winnipeg's frequent floods.

yes its very difficult. Though I think we should just go with a series of gondolas, and keep the city flooded year round. All these frequent floods really make life difficult.

[metonymy]

The first tender for construction of the actual transitway (or busway) has been posted on the City bid page (http://winnipeg.ca/MatMgt/FolderContents.asp?FOLDER_NAME=97-2009&YEAR=2009). Over 60 detailed drawings to go through. This is for the portion from near Main Street to Confusion Corner.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RnG65PCpMOs/Sf8nBUJ_wsI/AAAAAAAAArs/M3WgGe5xHUM/s1600/transitway2.jpg

[jimj_wpg]

I don't know if you're just naive or are not aware, but a "transitway" is another word for an Ottawa-style busway.

I've tried my best to the best of my time and ability over the past 30 years to get the people of Winnipeg onto the LRT/subway bandwagon. Your average Winnipeggers wants rail. It's the damned stooopid politicians who the elite have their bidding done for them that have been the problem all these years.

It's soooo damn frustrating. I sure hope Katz can, if he's genuinely sincere, transform this project into an LRT/subway project, but the more they get into it the less hopeful I am.

Metonymy, are you the 'Average City' blogger?

[metonymy]

Yeah, I know that transitway is synonymous with busway, but that is the terminology the City is now using. And a bus rapid transit is what is getting built, whether we agree and like it or not.

And yeah, that is my blog.

[thegreattait]

So if the "transitway" is what is being built why has Katz been spewing rhetoric about something "more" on the way?

These last couple of months I've been anticipating opening the link to this thread waiting for the posting saying that Winnipeg smartened up and did something right something done well for a change. Unfortunately these lastest plans look more and more like the best Winnipeg can hope for is the boring express bus line.

Please Please someone dig around and find some good news, tell me the feds want to win votes in quebec so they are signing billion dallar deals with Bombardier to build LRTs within cities in Western Canada in a massive infrustructure project to reunite this country. (Through the one project not inter city LRT, that's a different dream).

[jimj_wpg]

See, if I was part of the Illuminati 'elite', and still had my belief in a subway for Winnipeg, then it would happen that much easier.

But because I refuse to make TRUWinnipeg a registered company and by doing so refuse to let it be co-opted by some enviro or some Illuminists or what ever... this might be why an LRT or a subway has been not on the plans.

The only hope is to pray for truly good government and leadership and that God would bring in the right people to make a rail-based transit system viable, safe, usable, and such to Winnipeg. Maybe we Winnipeggers just haven't been praying enough. Sometimes it seems kind of corny to be praying for rapid transit...I mean people pray to God and Jesus for a whole bunch of other things... Why not for rapid transit?

I don't think it's too late to do so either.

Here, I'll help get you guys started:

Lord Jesus, we come before you as Winnipeggers who are working together for a better city for us all, and for people to be able to move around Winnipeg as easily and fast as can be. There have been several plans over the past 50 years for rapid transit for Winnipeg, and our city has grown and needs a better means of transport. Bless our government leaders and planners minds and hearts, to develop a rapid transit system that will help Winnipeg to grow. And make that rapid transit system safe for us to use, so that people will want to ride it.

Amen.

[wags_in_the_peg]

See, if I was part of the Illuminati 'elite', and still had my belief in a subway for Winnipeg, then it would happen that much easier.

But because I refuse to make TRUWinnipeg a registered company and by doing so refuse to let it be co-opted by some enviro or some Illuminists or what ever... this might be why an LRT or a subway has been not on the plans.

The only hope is to pray for truly good government and leadership and that God would bring in the right people to make a rail-based transit system viable, safe, usable, and such to Winnipeg. Maybe we Winnipeggers just haven't been praying enough. Sometimes it seems kind of corny to be praying for rapid transit...I mean people pray to God and Jesus for a whole bunch of other things... Why not for rapid transit?

I don't think it's too late to do so either.

Here, I'll help get you guys started:

Lord Jesus, we come before you as Winnipeggers who are working together for a better city for us all, and for people to be able to move around Winnipeg as easily and fast as can be. There have been several plans over the past 50 years for rapid transit for Winnipeg, and our city has grown and needs a better means of transport. Bless our government leaders and planners minds and hearts, to develop a rapid transit system that will help Winnipeg to grow. And make that rapid transit system safe for us to use, so that people will want to ride it.

Amen.

:shrug: :koko: