This is what Hamilton's B-Line could look like.

miketoronto · #1 Posted: **Sep 2, 2008, 10:25 PM**

Following are some photos I took in Quebec City last weekend of their METROBUS BRT routes. Quebec City has two METROBUS routes that form the backbone of their bus system. The METROBUS routes operate every 15 minutes or less seven days week. And the combined service on the most busy section operates every 7 minutes or less seven days a week.
Major bus stations are pretty big, while the smaller stations are simple shelters with the METROBUS branding on them.
The network operates with bus only lanes, and is pretty fast. Local bus routes connect with the METROBUS at major stations and transfer points.

Current daily ridership on the METROBUS routes is just under 50,000.

In addition to this METROBUS network, the RTC has announced 40,000 extra hours of service improvments to go into service this fall. These improvments include 5 new local routes, plus a new METROBUS route 802. And additional service on some existing routes. These are all part of the Province of Quebec's public transit improvment program, which has targeted to increase transit modal share over the next 5 years across the province.

LED lights on some of the system tell drivers to stay off the bus lane.

One of the larger Metrobus stops in St. Foy, across from a major shopping complexe.

Bus only lanes in the suburb of St. Foy.

It was great riding the bus in Quebec City and bypassing the heavy traffic. As you can see, the bus lane is nice and open while the cars sit in traffic.

Metrobus routes are branded with a special logo.

A METROBUS station in downtown Quebec.

The less major stops are just regular shelters with METROBUS branding on them.

Map thanks to the RTC.

raisethehammer · #2 Posted: **Sep 2, 2008, 10:35 PM**

now that's a city with some balls.
Take a 4 lane street and turn the curb lanes into BRT lanes.
I've long thought we should do that on Upper Wentworth, Barton (where it is 4 lanes), Mohawk etc.... people in Hamilton would freak out though if they pulled up to a light and actually had more than 2 cars in front of them waiting for the light. Everyone thinks it's their God given right to speed like idiots all across town.

I like the stations too, other than those stupid benches.

SteelTown · #3 Posted: **Sep 2, 2008, 10:46 PM**

Those were the stations I was talking about when I was in Quebec City, though there's another station that's really nice and modern, all glass.

miketoronto · #4 Posted: **Sep 2, 2008, 10:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

now that's a city with some balls.
Take a 4 lane street and turn the curb lanes into BRT lanes.
I like the stations too, other than those stupid benches.

It is very simple but it works. When I got on the bus, the traffic was just so heavy. But using the bus only lanes, our bus passed all the traffic. Then we arrived at a stop light, where the bus had to make a left turn, and I was left thinking we would have to wait 20 minutes to make a left turn, while all the cars made lefts. However there was a special signal on the stop light, that allowed the bus to turn left from the right lane, while all other traffic had to wait. So we just passed all the traffic again.

Again it is a simple system but it works. The only thing is I think for a BRT, the stations might be a little to close together. They seem to average about 400 meters which is about double the spacing of regular local bus stops. But not as far apart as most BRT systems.
That being said, they do have special super express routes that operate during peak hours, that bypass large amounts of the stops.

matt602 · #5 Posted: **Sep 3, 2008, 4:16 AM**

Interesting but thankfully we can be nearly certain we'll be seeing LRT on the B-Line instead.

geoff's two cents · #6 Posted: **Sep 3, 2008, 5:16 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt602

Interesting but thankfully we can be nearly certain we'll be seeing LRT on the B-Line instead.

I second that. If it were possible to do BRT as a kind of intermediary stage before LRT (as they are considering doing in Victoria), I could definitely see the logic - that is, make transit more efficient at the (minimal) expense of drivers, create greater demand for a more expensive system (that would generate a greater return on the investment), and build LRT.

Having said that, I really, really hope LRT succeeds (and goes right through Mac - but that's for another thread!).

raisethehammer · #7 Posted: **Sep 3, 2008, 11:43 AM**

I still see a need for BRT in the HSR system. An initial route on Mohawk Rd would make sense, as well as a route on Barton St.
I'd like to see us develop several LRT and BRT lines in the future.

The great thing about LRT will be the fact that we can add more stops along the way and still not increase travel times, since there won't be any red lights to worry about and very small stretches of being in mixed traffic.
To replace the King buses, it would make sense to me to have LRT stop every half-km through the city. Also, stops are quick...none of this crap where passengers come on and start chatting with the driver about where this bus does or doesn't go. I still don't see how we can do it on both King and Main though unless the LRT is contra-flow.
You'll still have the 52, 5, 51 buses on King/Main. It's important to separate bus from rail transit so the buses don't slow down the rail.
The easiest solution is all LRT on Main and all buses on King, but we'll see if the city is ballsy enough to do it.

SteelTown · #8 Posted: **Sep 3, 2008, 1:06 PM**

Even though we'll be getting LRT for the B-Line doesn't mean we can't get a head start on the amenities. We can start building the shelters and terminals along with other gagets like GPS display boards, lighting, and ticket machines for day passes, etc.

DC83 · #9 Posted: **Sep 3, 2008, 2:05 PM**

Great idea, Mike. But not for the B-Line... maybe more-so for the Mohawk route. I like rth's idea for the 25 Upp Wentworth route, too. That bus is always packed and often slowed by traffic, especially approaching Limeridge.

I agree with Steeltown, we could start building the amenities once the LRT plan is set. I don't think we need Enviro Assess.'s to build attractive transit shelters?

go_leafs_go02 · #10 Posted: **Sep 3, 2008, 4:07 PM**

LRT - A-Line and B-Line.

Feeder BRT - Mohawk, Barton. Maybe one more on the east end...Upper Wentworth down to wentworth might work using a connection somewhere on the mountin. And all routes would feed into the LRT..or go downtown.

Jon Dalton · #11 Posted: **Sep 3, 2008, 4:50 PM**

Good stuff, thanks for posting that. Quebec is getting LRT by the way.

The Trooper · #12 Posted: **Sep 3, 2008, 6:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Dalton

Good stuff, thanks for posting that. Quebec is getting LRT by the way.

Not true. They're talking about it but they'll never do it. They are not even capable of managing the construction of a 20 floors building in Quebec City, they'll never be able to manage the implementation of a modern transit system.