London Public Transit - Page 12

MrSlippery519 · #**221** Posted: **Jun 20, 2012, 3:08 PM**

Really 1.7 million dollars and 3 news buses? I certainly understand there would be a significant cost for new bus stops/shelters, etc on King and Queen streets however why the need for 3 more buses?

http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2.../19897601.html

manny_santos · #**222** Posted: **Jun 20, 2012, 4:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrSlippery519

Really 1.7 million dollars and 3 news buses? I certainly understand there would be a significant cost for new bus stops/shelters, etc on King and Queen streets however why the need for 3 more buses?

http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2.../19897601.html

I am guessing that because the altered routes will be longer and will involve a couple of left turns that aren't there now, additional buses will be required in order to maintain frequency of buses on the affected routes without taking buses away from other routes.

FazDeH · #**223** Posted: **Jun 20, 2012, 10:02 PM**

I read the LFP article as well, and what struck me as odd is that a larger portion of this money is being allocated to adding 3 new buses because of this? Am I alone in thinking that the extra block in either direction shouldn't constitute the purchasing of 1.2 million in vehicles?
Gas; I get.. bus stops; I get.. but 3 new buses? common ltc... common.

manny_santos · #**224** Posted: **Jun 20, 2012, 10:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by FazDeH

I read the LFP article as well, and what struck me as odd is that a larger portion of this money is being allocated to adding 3 new buses because of this? Am I alone in thinking that the extra block in either direction shouldn't constitute the purchasing of 1.2 million in vehicles?
Gas; I get.. bus stops; I get.. but 3 new buses? common ltc... common.

In the downtown area, it very well might require additional bus purchases, especially at rush hour. Buses will need to make left turns from Wellington onto Queens Ave, and that area can get pretty backed up.

At the same time, we don't know if these buses might also be replacing older ones. I've been away from London for almost six months; are any of those orange buses still on the road?

FazDeH · #**225** Posted: **Jun 20, 2012, 11:32 PM**

^^^ I hadn't thought about downtown congestion being a factor for the need for extra buses, but you're right sometimes those left turns can be a little busy, considering the traffic flow down dundas at peak times, I can't imagine it would be that impactful on scheduling.(Especially considering every bus seems stop downtown for several minutes to wait as it is.. )

As for the orange buses, I haven't seen any in a while, but I think there are likely some that are still operating.
From what the article said though, these would be additional vehicles, not ones to be used to replace existing buses.

BIGGUY2891 · #**226** Posted: **Jun 21, 2012, 12:22 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by manny_santos

At the same time, we don't know if these buses might also be replacing older ones. I've been away from London for almost six months; are any of those orange buses still on the road?

All the older buses have been retired as of a couple months ago. There were 20+ Xcelsior models brought into operation over the past few months. You can see the active fleet through this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Transit

MrSlippery519 · #**227** Posted: **Jun 21, 2012, 12:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by manny_santos

I am guessing that because the altered routes will be longer and will involve a couple of left turns that aren't there now, additional buses will be required in order to maintain frequency of buses on the affected routes without taking buses away from other routes.

How much longer are we really talking though? I can see maybe needing to add 1 more bus to make up for the slightly longer route but 3 I just think this is the LTC's way of trying to get the city to back down from the idea of removing buses from Dundas.

londoner_abroad · #**228** Posted: **Jun 21, 2012, 2:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrSlippery519

How much longer are we really talking though? I can see maybe needing to add 1 more bus to make up for the slightly longer route but 3 I just think this is the LTC's way of trying to get the city to back down from the idea of removing buses from Dundas.

Remember there is more then one route along Dundas, I am actually surprised it will only take three more buses to reroute all routes. I believe they want to keep the same level of service and if they are now faced with a longer route they will need to add busses and modify schedules in order for buses to run as frequently(or not..haha) as they do now. One thing I think most people don't realise is all the behind the scenes work that would have to happen to change all these routes permanently - scheduling is a big one, think of all new schedules that have to be re-calulated, reprinted, the bus schedules as the stops changed, all maps at bus shelters changed. All we see is the bus and stop moving but there is a lot that has to happen for this type of change. Personally, I am happy with this proposed change, I always believed that a loop system within the downtown could work great, it will add to the dynamic of downtown with people actually moving around not just standing at the stop they got off at waiting for another bus. Plus now the Police will be able to tell at least some of the downtown loiterers to get moving as they will no longer be able to use the "i am waiting for the bus" excuse all day long...

Pimpmasterdac · #**229** Posted: **Jun 21, 2012, 9:31 PM**

Great to hear council is serious about implementing this King-Queens loop, taking buses off Dundas! If it does end up being implemented, its a fait accompli for Dundas becoming a pedestrianized.

Though I find the LTC, specifically Ducharme, has been very negative & cold to the idea. When it was suggested by council, he instantly began bemoaning the costs of doing it rather than finding a way to re-jig underutilized routes to make up for the extra travel time. Then when the city gets greater than expected transit funding for the province, and Ducharme says LTC has other priorities...

FazDeH · #**230** Posted: **Jun 21, 2012, 10:11 PM**

^^^ did he happen to mention what those other priorities would be? Optimizing the routes and their impact on the parts of the city seem like it should be pretty high on the list... the blue signs must be paramount.

Pimpmasterdac · #**231** Posted: **Jun 21, 2012, 10:42 PM**

From http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2...-19855411.html

About $5.5 million of it will go toward operating costs and maintenance, new buses and the transit system's smart card payment program.

Still leaves $4 million of that free, either unaccounted or assigned yet. Ducharme doesn't seem all that pleased doing this re-routing. Rather than go look as see how the plan can be implemented, he moans says they need an addition $1.7 million rather than be creative. The LTC would do better fortifying the busy routes they currently have, than extending milk runs to the far edges of the city IMO.

MrSlippery519 · #**232** Posted: **Jun 22, 2012, 1:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pimpmasterdac

Ducharme doesn't seem all that pleased doing this re-routing. Rather than go look as see how the plan can be implemented, he moans says they need an addition $1.7 million rather than be creative. The LTC would do better fortifying the busy routes they currently have, than extending milk runs to the far edges of the city IMO.

That is exactly how it seems, he just doesn't seem interested in anything unless it was his idea.