I say, I appear to have been struck by an idea

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

So an idea literally JUST popped into my head...



Union Station as the new bus station.



Hear me out on this; rail on Colonel By, let alone a tunnel under it, is extremely unlikely. However, some purpose could be given to the building again by turning it into the new bus station, which could provide excellent views as people arrive at their destination downtown. The infrastructure more or less exists, and all that would be required is a ramp/connection to under the building. As an added bonus, it could eventually connect to the Rideau LRT station, making it a semi-LRT station in a sense.

This would give purpose to a beautiful building, bring a major form of regional transit right downtown, require little construction work that would impede traffic, and add to the transit fluidity and connectivity in this city. A well-ventilated subterranean bus platform (like what exists in several other major cities) would be entirely feasible and potentially affordable.

Thoughts?

[McC]

A lot of buses need to lay up at the bus station, not sure there's room without taking over the whole triangle.

[J.OT13]

Not a bad idea, but it would be a huge demotion from grand railroad station to bus station. Although still way better than a Government Conference Centre (how many do we have of those? Union, BMO on Wellington, oops sorry; Sir John A. Macdonald building, the old American Embassy will likely be one too...).

We could start with the bus station and make provisions to eventually extend rail back via tunnel from Hurdman.

That being said, it’s not about money, the Feds are just a-holes.

[jeremy_haak]

Originally Posted by McC

A lot of buses need to lay up at the bus station, not sure there's room without taking over the whole triangle.

Buses can layup offsite and only arrive prior to boarding.

[Ottawan]

I think there's more than enough space for layups if the underground platform extends beneath Colonel By Drive. It's not a bad idea, and could be combined with an introduction of cafes, etc. to the Canal-facing side of the building.

[eternallyme]

Too bad it cannot easily be re-used as a railway station, as the tracks would have to be re-installed - underground - from Hurdman under Colonel By. It is possible, but very expensive (and the trains would have to be electrified in that section). However, in the long term, that would be a highly desirable option for a potential commuter rail system.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by eternallyme

Too bad it cannot easily be re-used as a railway station, as the tracks would have to be re-installed - underground - from Hurdman under Colonel By. It is possible, but very expensive (and the trains would have to be electrified in that section). However, in the long term, that would be a highly desirable option for a potential commuter rail system.

They wouldn’t nessaceraly need to be electrified; look at Montreal's Gare Central.

As for cost; if a 3 km double track tunnel for fairly small lrt vehicles with 3 underground, 150m long stations of 15 meters deep costs 500 million, then a 5 km double track tunnel for large locomotives with a 10 track, 2 level underground terminal might be around, and this is a complete shot in the dark, 1.4 billion maybe. Then we need to invest in another 200-400 million to tear down Trudeau's 70s back entrance restore the old station to original and maybe connect Rideau Station to the Laurier tunnel and continue to the NAC.

Again, considering how billions is going on useless things in Toronto and other places, 2 billion dollars to have a proper Grand Railroad Station in our capital like every other G8 capital have shouldn’t be such a controversy.

[Kitchissippi]

Yeah, but VIA Rail could use a couple of billion dollars to improve service and rolling stock more than an expensive spur line to the core, especially when the present station will be connected to downtown by LRT anyway.

What I would like to see in the old train station is a combination of a really good visitor centre (run by Ottawa Tourism, not the NCC), and a central location for Service Canada, Service Ontario and city services. It would be a hub for information for the city, where residents and visitors would mingle, maybe with a small performance stage and exhibit spaces featuring local artists, and of course lounges and cafes. It would be the place to buy tickets for anything local; book accommodations, tours, etc.; settle your tax bills or get forms; and find out what's happening in the city not just in entertainment but also about plans and new developments. A Grand Central Station for services and information.

At the the rear of the building, it would be awesome to have a bicycle facility like this one in Chicago

[J.OT13]

I guess I just can't get out the idea of reopening it as a train station.

But again, service and tourist centre would be a great idea; one stop shop for everything information. That building has so much potential (no casinos please!).

And VIA definitely needs to get with the times and implement European style high-speed rail. Phase it in;
-Step 1; TO-OT-MTL triangle
-Step2; Complete Quebec City to Windsor Corridor
-Step 3; Calgary-Edmonton
-Step 4; Connect the rest of Canada

You would think it would be a good project for the Conservatives to honour sir John A. Macdonald.

[MaxHeadroom]

Awful idea. Just look at Toronto's Bus Terminal for an example. Cramped and no place for buses to lay over within miles of it.

[jeremy_haak]

I'm still attached to the idea of the library being relocated there, even if it is just fantasy on my part.

[Capital Shaun]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

They wouldn’t nessaceraly need to be electrified; look at Montreal's Gare Central.

As for cost; if a 3 km double track tunnel for fairly small lrt vehicles with 3 underground, 150m long stations of 15 meters deep costs 500 million, then a 5 km double track tunnel for large locomotives with a 10 track, 2 level underground terminal might be around, and this is a complete shot in the dark, 1.4 billion maybe. Then we need to invest in another 200-400 million to tear down Trudeau's 70s back entrance restore the old station to original and maybe connect Rideau Station to the Laurier tunnel and continue to the NAC.

Again, considering how billions is going on useless things in Toronto and other places, 2 billion dollars to have a proper Grand Railroad Station in our capital like every other G8 capital have shouldn’t be such a controversy.

+1

I was just in Montreal for a family vacation. We took the train. Our hotel was downtown a few blocks from Gare Centrale. From downtown we were a short walk away from 2 metro lines and all the commuter trains. We were able to get to all our tourist destinations by metro/foot. Didn't take a single taxi or bus in Montreal.

In Ottawa many of our attractions are not served by rapid transit. Some just have minimal token bus service.

As Ottawa grows we really will need a centralized inter-modal transportation hub. Union Station would be a good choice for the terminus for commuter rail lines. Maybe even VIA Rail too. It could connect to the Rideau LRT station. We'd likely have to tunnel our way there since it is very very unlikely that any existing roads would be converted to train tracks.

The bus terminal should be located along the LRT line but not at Union Station. It would seem like a waste of that space.

[eternallyme]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I guess I just can't get out the idea of reopening it as a train station.

But again, service and tourist centre would be a great idea; one stop shop for everything information. That building has so much potential (no casinos please!).

And VIA definitely needs to get with the times and implement European style high-speed rail. Phase it in;
-Step 1; TO-OT-MTL triangle
-Step2; Complete Quebec City to Windsor Corridor
-Step 3; Calgary-Edmonton
-Step 4; Connect the rest of Canada

You would think it would be a good project for the Conservatives to honour sir John A. Macdonald.

That would be WAY too expensive given the densities of Canada.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by Capital Shaun

In Ottawa many of our attractions are not served by rapid transit. Some just have minimal token bus service.

But we make up for it with miles of vibrant green open space!

Vibrant, vibrant green open space!

Also, all those arrays of 13 provincial and territorial flags make you feel at home!

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by eternallyme

That would be WAY too expensive given the densities of Canada.

Quebec City to Windsor would definitely be worth it. It would also compete with domestic flights for passengers. It apparently compromises of 90 % of their ridership.

This would be a really good start with guaranteed success.

[J.OT13]

Here is a totally random idea that isn't based on any sort of speculation or rumors; more of a dream than anything else.

What if Scotia Bank built a proper regional HQ in Ottawa? We are the only one of the Big 6 cities without a proper Scotia Bank regional (or in the case of TO, world) headquarters.

They just sold Scotia Plaza in Toronto and, although they didn’t mention a reason why, it's probably because the building is nearly 15 years old and in need of repair. And of course adding 1.7 billion to your revenue looks damn good.

So here is my thought, what if Scotia Bank sells its Ottawa building (former Murphy Gamble between Sparks and Queen), adding another 15-30 million to their accounts.

It would open up the possibility to restore the building to its former glory, and maybe convert it to residential and retail.

Then, they could sell the building on the corner of Rideau and William, and someone could better utilize in as a subway entrance and retail/entertainment purpose.

And while they are selling these buildings, they can solicit GWL to build them a new regional office next to the BMO building to consolidate their Ottawa operations, creating Ottawa's version of "Banker's Hall".

Of course, this depends on Scotia Bank actually owning the Rideau and Sparks buildings.

And if CIBC gets kicked out of their Sparks building by the feds, they could ask Morguard for a regional headquarters at Standard Life phase III, creating the Bank/Slater financial district (although TD is at the WEP and RBC is still on Sparks).