The future of Hamilton's public transit - Page 77

matt602 · #**1521** Posted **Apr 25, 2011, 6:46 PM**

Oh, I'm sure you can't.

I can't help but see it as a public works win.

markbarbera · #**1522** Posted **Apr 26, 2011, 12:06 PM**

Public Works has been pushing for the gas tax rebate to be allocated to transit like this for years. It's good to see we now have a mayor and council that supports the idea.

SteelTown · #**1523** Posted **Apr 27, 2011, 3:16 AM**

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/ar...resto-change-o

drpgq · #**1524** Posted **Apr 27, 2011, 3:14 PM**

From the article Steeltown posted above, I thought this part was a bit strange. I don't think helping commuters is a minus and for me, replacing tickets is a big improvement.

"Peter Hutton of the Hamilton Transit Users Group says he’s “ambivalent” about the program because he feels it’s targeted mostly to commuters.

“I don’t see it as a great boon to the riders in the big urban system,” he said. “The Presto is designed for commuters. It’s really unfortunate that the provincial government has decided to impose a system for commuters on everyone.” "

mattgrande · #**1525** Posted **Apr 27, 2011, 5:52 PM**

I agree, drpgq, and I really don't see this as the province "imposing" anything. This is a new way to pay, it's not replacing anything.

DC1983 · #**1526** Posted **Apr 27, 2011, 6:33 PM**

Aslong as the card doesn't expire like, say, a gift card I would probably use PRESTO.
I never EVER carry change, and rarely have bus tix. So if I can carry a declining cash balance card for the HSR that works on every system between here to Toronto (hopefully TTC will sign on soon), then why the hell not.

I'm going to sign up just to piss TUG-y off! lol

markbarbera · #**1527** Posted **Apr 27, 2011, 9:16 PM**

As part of the April 4th agreement between the Province and the City of Toronto that killed Transit City's surface LRT plans in favour of a new Eglinton subway line and Sheppard subway expansion, the TTC will also be adopting Presto as its fare card system. (Actually Eglinton is going to be "subway-ish" as it will be an underground Light Rail line)

mishap · #**1528** Posted **Apr 28, 2011, 2:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC1983

Aslong as the card doesn't expire like, say, a gift card I would probably use PRESTO.

From what I understand, the card does expire eventually, and needs to be replaced. The account - and the associated balance - does not. Otherwise, it would probably violate provincial laws.

SteelTown · #**1529** Posted **May 14, 2011, 10:19 PM**

Mohawk College Transit Hub

http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/...2__PW11036.pdf

Should be completed September 2013.

thistleclub · #**1530** Posted **Jun 16, 2011, 8:08 PM**

Metrolinx saves municipalities money on new public transit vehicles

TORONTO, June 16, 2011 /CNW/ - Metrolinx has partnered with 12 municipalities to facilitate the purchase of 271 new, clean diesel transit buses and 16 diesel electric hybrid buses. All vehicles will be fully accessible.

"Metrolinx is pleased to help support municipalities through our Transit Procurement Initiative program to improve and expand public transit across Ontario," said Metrolinx President and CEO, Bruce McCuaig. "By helping these municipalities get more value for their money, we continue to make progress on improving public transit services."

The 12-metre buses are being acquired over three years, from 2011 to 2013, for a total order value of approximately $114 million. Municipalities and their transit service providers who participated in the joint bus order are saving approximately $10.9 million.

"Our government is committed to improving public transit," said Ontario Minister of Transportation, Kathleen Wynne. "This partnership increases buying power and in turn decreases costs to municipalities and transit riders. New, accessible buses make taking public transit even more attractive."

The 12 participating municipalities are Barrie, Burlington, Durham Region, Hamilton, Kingston, London, Milton, North Bay, St. Catharines, Welland, Windsor and York Region.

The 2011 order is worth approximately $30 million and includes 66 clean diesel and seven diesel electric hybrid buses that will arrive in March 2012. The joint procurement also includes an option for future orders in 2012 and 2013 for the remaining 214 buses.

The clean diesel buses that will be delivered in 2011 will cost municipalities and transit service providers nine per cent less than the ones delivered in 2010 through a previous Metrolinx procurement. For the diesel electric hybrid bus order, the 2011 prices are 24 per cent lower. The clean diesel buses procured through this contract will be up to 15 per cent more fuel efficient thanks to new electrical accessories and lighter weights.

The Transit Procurement Initiative is a Metrolinx program with a mandate to help small and medium-sized municipalities save money by reducing unit costs through higher volume purchases and performance-based specifications: avoiding duplicate procurement costs and improving product quality and value for money.

This joint order complies with the province's Canadian Content for Transit Vehicle Procurement Policy which sets a minimum of 25 per cent Canadian content for 12-metre transit buses.

mattgrande · #**1531** Posted **Jun 16, 2011, 9:51 PM**

So Waterloo just approved their LRT system. When do we get ours

LikeHamilton · #**1532** Posted **Jun 17, 2011, 9:27 AM**

Joint bus purchase to save Hamilton, Burlington money

June 16, 2011
Hamilton and Burlington have partnered with 10 other municipalities through Metrolinx to cut costs by ordering 287 new, clean diesel buses for their transit companies.

Hamilton will save $1.8 million by buying 52 buses and Burlington will save $280,000 by buying eight. Hamilton should see the 18 buses next March and Burlington will have its buses delivered in March, 2013.

The deal was announced Thursday by the Liberal government and Metrolinx, which co-ordinate and integrate transit in Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area.

“This joint bus purchase allows communities like Hamilton and Burlington to save money and improve transit,” said Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne. “With these new buses, the people in these communities will benefit from modernized service that makes it easier for residents to get around.”

The $114 million, three-year deal is with New Flyer Industries of Winnipeg. Metrolinx says the joint purchase is saving municipalities about $11 million. The buses include 271 diesel models and 16 diesel electric hybrids.

New Flyer has had two previous contracts with Metrolinx since 2008 and has delivered 378 buses to 13 municipalities, including Hamilton.

Other municipalities participating are Barrie, Durham region, Kingston, London, Milton, North Bay, St. Catharines, Welland, Windsor and York region.

The Hamilton Spectator

DC1983 · #**1533** Posted **Jun 21, 2011, 6:49 PM**

Hmm.. you learn something new every day!

Quote:

SPECIAL DAY PASS!

HSR Day Passes may be used by any of the following:

-One rider, any age, all day.
-Two adults and up to four youths/children 19 and under, travelling as a group. There does not have to be any youths/children with the two adults.
-One adult, and up to five youths/children 19 and under, travelling as a group. Again there does not have to be any youths/children with the adult.
-All youths/children - up to six youths/children 19 and under, travelling as a group.
-It is currently acceptable for 1 or 2 adults to use the pass without any youths/children as part of the group.

Cost: Effective January 1, 2011 $9.00

source: http://www.hamilton.ca/CityServices/...Conditions.htm

matt602 · #**1534** Posted **Jun 21, 2011, 8:42 PM**

The day pass is great value for 2 people using the bus a lot in one day. Much better than buying tickets.

Same goes for the TTC too. For 2 adults, after only 2 rides each, the pass is saving you money. I get a day pass in Toronto any time I think I'll be getting on/off the TTC more than twice. Kinda reflects the ridiculously high price of the fares there.

DC1983 · #**1535** Posted **Jun 22, 2011, 11:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt602

The day pass is great value for 2 people using the bus a lot in one day. Much better than buying tickets.

Same goes for the TTC too. For 2 adults, after only 2 rides each, the pass is saving you money. I get a day pass in Toronto any time I think I'll be getting on/off the TTC more than twice. Kinda reflects the ridiculously high price of the fares there.

The TTC Day Pass is the best invention ever lol
Weekends are better, weekdays are still a good deal! Best part about the daypass, you can get off anywhere you want randomly.. you don't have to stick to a plan as to not over your transit budget!

I'll be telling everyone I know about the HSR Day Pass as well!

SteelTown · #**1536** Posted **Oct 7, 2011, 10:31 PM**

HSR

Council approved a short-term service enhancement plan for the HSR within the 2011 budget in recognition of the immediate need to address insufficient service capacity. The majority of the enhancements will be implemented on the B-Line corridor (King/Main/Queenston). HSR service plays a key role in achieving our goal of “maximum state of readiness” for LRT. The 5-year planning horizon that supports this goal with respect to the HSR includes:

• Pursuit of an integrated approach to public transportation planning and operation, including strong links between land use and transit service in major corridors;

• Achieving LRT Operational Readiness through disentanglement of the bus routes operating in the B-Line corridor making it the dominant route;

• Further increasing the frequency and duration of services operating in the B-Line corridor in accordance with Staff Report (PW10101) Transit 2011 Operating Budget & Annual Service Plan;

• Further increase corridor capacity with additional replacement of 12.2 meter (40-foot) conventional buses with 18.2 meter (60-foot) articulated buses as funding permits (see Appendix A);

• Introduce Transit Priority measures including dedicated transit lanes to help avoid the effects of traffic congestion;

• Expand Rapid Transit re-branding beyond the unique paint scheme for the B-Line buses and student pass programs;

• Expand Technology applications beyond the existing automated stop announcement;

• Enhance Route #20 A-Line service level;

Integration of Rapid Transit, GO Transit and local transit services on the B- and
A-Line corridors are converging on mutually beneficial paths.

http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/...4_FCS11072.pdf

matt602 · #**1537** Posted **Oct 9, 2011, 12:08 AM**

Definitely glad to be reading this. I have heard from reliable sources that full weekday and Saturday B-Line service is really close on the horizon. Also confirmed future orders of 60 foot buses to supplement the busy corridors.

SteelTown · #**1538** Posted **Nov 7, 2011, 5:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelTown

• Introduce Transit Priority measures including dedicated transit lanes to help avoid the effects of traffic congestion;

http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/...4_FCS11072.pdf

City ponders bus-only lane

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/ar...-bus-only-lane

The city is considering a bus-only lane on King Street from John to Dundurn.

The lane would be reserved for HSR buses during rush-hour only.

SteelTown · #**1539** Posted **Nov 7, 2011, 5:14 PM**

Phased TPM Pilot Program on King Street

At this time, the only TMP that staff would recommend for consideration on a phased pilot basis is the exclusive use of the north curb lane on King Street, from John Street to Bay Street.

The concept of a “Transit-Only lane” will be new to the City and therefore, staff is recommending the implementation of a phased pilot-process to test the concept and its functionality. The first phase of the Transit-Only lane pilot will include:

• The north side of King Street from John Street to Dundurn Street. This section has been selected as the HSR and other public transit services utilizing this area extensively.

• The Transit-Only lane restriction would be in effect from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Outside of these hours, the current parking, loading and other activities would be permitted to continue.

http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/..._2_PW11079.pdf

Recently, there have been examples of the impact as a result of the elimination of traffic lanes on King Street. The new Good Shepherd Centre, 398 King Street West, has been under construction for more than a year. The construction activity required the elimination of the northerly curb lane throughout. Staff observed this situation and determined that there were no significant traffic impacts as a result of this loss of the northerly curb lane in this area. Another example this summer was the Highway 403 Ramp construction projects, whereby traffic lanes on King Street were also unavailable for long periods of time with no significant impacts to the traffic flow. It is recognized that these lane closures were included during the summer months when traffic is lighter that usual, however, it is felt that the lane restriction closures provided a real-life example in those areas of the City, and the Transit-Only Lanes will also be an important test of a TMP.

It is anticipated that the implementation of the phased TPM pilot program would start in the summer of 2012, along with a public communication campaign including providing information to residents and businesses along the affected section of King Street, the installation of signs and pavement marking, the removal of parking meters. Once these implementation details are confirmed, staff will provide this information to Committee and Council prior to implementing the pilot.

SteelTown · #**1540** Posted **Nov 7, 2011, 5:19 PM**

Transit Passenger Information Technology at the MacNab Transit Terminal

The intention of this project is to install large screens, both inside the MacNab Transit Terminal building and in strategic positions along the platform, to provide transit passengers with transit schedule information to facilitate their transit travel planning decisions.

The HSR Technology Planning team is negotiating with their Transit Scheduling software provider to determine the feasibility of integrating the HSR real-time vehicle data information with the existing customer information software. This technology integration will permit the HSR to combine the technical solutions resulting in improved and timely messages to be displayed on the new screens so that transit customers will have the most up-to-date transit information available to them for their travelling decisions and status of the bus they wish to take.

Initially, the information displayed on the screens will be the various bus schedules for the routes utilizing and providing connections at the MacNab Transit Terminal. In subsequent phases of displaying transit information, further details will be provided as additional technology is implemented, i.e. vehicle’s anticipated arrival time and scheduled departure.

This type of transit customer service feature is currently in operation at Union Station for GO Bus and Trains, the VIVA Transit system in the Region of York, the MiWay Transit service in the City of Mississauga and ZUM Transit service in the City of Brampton. HSR staff have plans to complete their negotiations, prepare the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the software and hardware and implement these customer service facilities at the MacNab Transit Terminal by Q2, 2012.