The future of Hamilton's public transit

[raisethehammer]

here's a link I found that has commuter rail service being developed on existing freight tracks:

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...44#post3352844

No reason why Hamilton can't see something like this happen both in and outside of the city.

[DC83]

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

here's a link I found that has commuter rail service being developed on existing freight tracks:

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...44#post3352844

No reason why Hamilton can't see something like this happen both in and outside of the city.

Absolutely!! I'd love to see Brantford and even KW connected to Hamilton with a commuter rail! We don't have to centralize everything around getting in&out of Toronto! We should work on strengthening our ties to our other urban neighbours rather than alienating them!

[raisethehammer]

Originally Posted by DC83

Absolutely!! I'd love to see Brantford and even KW connected to Hamilton with a commuter rail! We don't have to centralize everything around getting in&out of Toronto! We should work on strengthening our ties to our other urban neighbours rather than alienating them!

Pull up a map from 75-100 years ago and that's exactly how southern Ontario was designed.
A gradual shift in thinking took place and was really found in the TO-centred provincial governments in the late 60's, early 70's that were desperate to turn TO into some world mega-city. That's why Hamilton lost out on Burlington when Hamilton-Wentworth was formed. Despite the fact that Burlington has always been a suburb of Hamilton and we share the same harbour and highways, the provincial government cut back Hamilton's portion during that regional amalgamation with an ultimate goal of Toronto taking over everything right up to Hamilton's border.
Thankfully that will never happen now, but the TO-centric problems still exist as evident by GO, airport development, money for downtowns, social services money etc....

Look at that evaluation sheet that was posted earlier showing all the strengths of Hamilton. I hope someone on the metrolinx board sees that and says "wait a minute. we've got another true city here 45 minutes away. Let's tap into the potential instead of focusing everything on TO. Imagine how much congestion could be eased if 25% of the current commuters into TO from Hamilton,Halton and Peel were able to get jobs in downtown Hamilton and take the GO and QEW the opposite way in the morning.

It's plain sense, which means it'll never crack the doors of Queens Park or any other government agency.

[DC83]

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

Look at that evaluation sheet that was posted earlier showing all the strengths of Hamilton. I hope someone on the metrolinx board sees that and says "wait a minute. we've got another true city here 45 minutes away. Let's tap into the potential instead of focusing everything on TO. Imagine how much congestion could be eased if 25% of the current commuters into TO from Hamilton,Halton and Peel were able to get jobs in downtown Hamilton and take the GO and QEW the opposite way in the morning.

This is why I like Dalton and his Liberal crew (even though I voted NDP). They seem to understand this and have invested millions upon millions into the Hamilton area since taking over from the previous Harris-Eaves Gov't which F'd us good.

They (seem to be) on the right track and don't (seem to) let the Toronto-vote sway their decisions all that much. The only thing I don't like is how the North is ignored.

Metrolinx seems to favour Hamilton as a second business centre rather than just a bedroom community the fromer Gov'ts saw us as. So I'm pretty confident Public Transit will improve greatly across our region. This connection to Brantford/KW/Guelph, however, is just a pipe-dream of mine.

[raisethehammer]

Originally Posted by DC83

This is why I like Dalton and his Liberal crew (even though I voted NDP). They seem to understand this and have invested millions upon millions into the Hamilton area since taking over from the previous Harris-Eaves Gov't which F'd us good.

They (seem to be) on the right track and don't (seem to) let the Toronto-vote sway their decisions all that much. The only thing I don't like is how the North is ignored.

Metrolinx seems to favour Hamilton as a second business centre rather than just a bedroom community the fromer Gov'ts saw us as. So I'm pretty confident Public Transit will improve greatly across our region. This connection to Brantford/KW/Guelph, however, is just a pipe-dream of mine.

Don't let them fool you. We are being screwed in terms of sustainable funding, especially for social services. The $12 million a year (or whatever it is) that they send us at tax time is a far cry from the money we deserve.
Instead of including us in the GTA social services pool, they just eliminated the entire thing. Set TO back a few years too.
This upcoming transit money looks good, but I'll believe when I'm standing in downtown Hamilton holding a ticket for the next LRT to pull in! Then, I'll give them full credit.

[hamiltonguy]

Originally Posted by DC83

Absolutely!! I'd love to see Brantford and even KW connected to Hamilton with a commuter rail! We don't have to centralize everything around getting in&out of Toronto! We should work on strengthening our ties to our other urban neighbours rather than alienating them!

Theres no rail line between Hamilton and KW/ Brantford. There is still right of way to Brantford but lots of money would have to be spent to rebuild the track and fix the cainsvilles area where the ground is extremely unstable.

KW could be done with an interurban along Highway 8 as an extension of Hamilton's EW LRT and KW's LRT.

[raisethehammer]

Originally Posted by hamiltonguy

Theres no rail line between Hamilton and KW/ Brantford. There is still right of way to Brantford but lots of money would have to be spent to rebuild the track and fix the cainsvilles area where the ground is extremely unstable.

KW could be done with an interurban along Highway 8 as an extension of Hamilton's EW LRT and KW's LRT.

dang, could you imagine....commuter rail like the link I posted above of Portlands new commuter rail, between KW and Hamilton?? The province and guys at metrolinx etc...need to really start thinking this way. TO ain't NYC no matter how much they wish they were. Everything can't be centred there. I have a friend who lives near Mac and attends U of Waterloo. He hates the drive twice a week, but does it. Imagine having commuter rail at his doorstep along Main West?? right to the campuses in KW. would be awesome. How about Brock University in St Kitts to Eastgate Sq?

[Jon Dalton]

If we can bring jobs and commerce back to the core, Hamilton would rightly become a mobility hub for the region. The TH&B station first existed to serve Welland and Brantford and points beyond. If Hamilton were to regain its significance in the region I could see Hunter St. becoming a mini Union Station to these and other locales.

[DC83]

Originally Posted by hamiltonguy

Theres no rail line between Hamilton and KW/ Brantford. There is still right of way to Brantford but lots of money would have to be spent to rebuild the track and fix the cainsvilles area where the ground is extremely unstable.

KW could be done with an interurban along Highway 8 as an extension of Hamilton's EW LRT and KW's LRT.

Hey, that's right. I actually google-mapped it after I posted that and couldn't find a connecting rail line. I believe the line that used to exist is now what we call the Rail Trail, right? I remember back in the day there was that rail bridge that went over Stonechurch right near Dartnell where trucks would always get stuck! hahaha

But ya, a connected GGHA (Greater Golden-Horseshoe Area) is my ultimate dream for the region. It could happen with some will and TONS O' CASH!

[Jon Dalton]

The rail trail that goes up the east side of the mountain was the old Hamilton and Lake Erie line that went to Port Dover. The chedoke rail trail was the TH&B line to Brantford which was eventually abandoned after the Cainsville fill section just sank into the ground one day. The Hamilton and Brantford electric railway also ran along there.

Hamilton to Brantford could be done by following the tracks used by VIA that join up just past the Desjardins Canal bridge.

Does anyone know if there ever was a connection between Hamilton and Guelph, Cambridge or K/W?

[raisethehammer]

awesome bus and awesome logo.

[raisethehammer]

C-Line....Centre Mall.
I really think an express line would be awesome on Barton....it could have it's own lane for portions too. the wide, 5 lane stretch near Ivor Wynne over to Centre Mall and then from roughly Woodward eastward all the way to the end of the line.

[DC83]

^^ Ah ok. I thought they'd go in order:
1. A-Line Upper James
2. B-Line King/Main
3. C-Line Mohawk
4. D-Line Barton

I always thought Mohawk would get it's own Express first. They kinda already do w/ the "High School Express" or whatever it's called.

But since we started with B, anything's possible haha

[raisethehammer]

good point...Mohawk could use one, and I could see Mohawk getting LRT in the future. The density is pretty good for the Mountain and opportunity for infill/mixed use is great.
I'd like to see another line running from Eastgate up Hwy20 to Rymal and along Rymal to Duff's Corner or Meadowlands.
First we need proper service on B-Line (too bad McMaster is off the run now - back to 1 King for me and thousands of others) and this new A-Line.

[DC83]

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

good point...Mohawk could use one, and I could see Mohawk getting LRT in the future. The density is pretty good for the Mountain and opportunity for infill/mixed use is great.
I'd like to see another line running from Eastgate up Hwy20 to Rymal and along Rymal to Duff's Corner or Meadowlands.
First we need proper service on B-Line (too bad McMaster is off the run now - back to 1 King for me and thousands of others) and this new A-Line.

LRT for mohawk would be perfect! From Mohawk Sports Park to Meadowlands. Would be a really popular route, especially for shoppers. Tons of plazas that could be redevleopped w/ condos involved. Including Meadowlands (they built condos is Sherway Gdns pkng lot in Toronto, why not here?). Could create a great hub at Mohawk/Upper James. TONS of lot space up there! haha

[SteelTown]

They want to put the West/East rapid transit along Rymal or the Linc.

Too bad Limeridge was cut off as it would be a great route for LRT as it's right in the middle of the Mountain. They could go along Limeridge as most of Limeridge is still there just cut into pieces and made into bike trails.

[go_leafs_go02]

MOhawk is your best bet, Stone Church road is just all low density housing the whole way.

Have a nice terminal, connecting point at Mohawk & Upper James.

I don't know you would connect though to Limeridge mall though. That mall is in an awkward spot for LRT and bus routes heading east/west.

[hamiltonguy]

Originally Posted by go_leafs_go02

MOhawk is your best bet, Stone Church road is just all low density housing the whole way.

Have a nice terminal, connecting point at Mohawk & Upper James.

I don't know you would connect though to Limeridge mall though. That mall is in an awkward spot for LRT and bus routes heading east/west.

It's also a major trip generator and transfer points. Just go to Limeridge and watch all the people at shelters to know that it's very effective as is, and only a short detour.

[raisethehammer]

I agree...Rymal Rd is wasteland...nothing out there.
Mohawk has good density already and a mix of uses. Limeridge connection could happen easily by having transit only lanes and transit signals on Mall Rd right over to the terminal. Or get rid of the huge medians on Upp Wentworth for transit lanes right up the middle.

[go_leafs_go02]

Mall Rd. connection to Mohawk would be a great idea!!! have the terminal right at the north end of the mall, by the Sears entrance. It would cause less than a 1 or 2 minute delay in scheduling, unlike the current LimeRidge connection zone, which I find to be quite congested, especially at peak hour times, and especially as there is no dedicated bus lanes or signal priorities.