The future of Hamilton's public transit

[SteelTown]

I think the Mountain East/West route is from Green Heritage to Meadowlands. HSR has to decide if it's going to be along the Linc or Rymal. I like to see it on Mohawk but I suppose the Linc makes sense since its quick and easy access.

I believe one of the top new possible routes is expanding or improving the West Hamilton route from Meadowlands to McMaster.

[raisethehammer]

using a highway only makes sense for a long-distance rapid transit route.

I've heard rumblings that they are looking at ideas such as having an Upper Wentworth/Wellington turn into west Ham route once it comes downtown instead of just turning around and heading back up. there's a ton of ideas they can do to improve things.

[markbarbera]

I would like to see all the 20-series routes fan out from downtown to service their lower city cuonterparts. This would address the lack of North/South lower city transit lines we currently have to put up with.

[raisethehammer]

and all the unnecessary transfering one must do. no reason why someone can't board a bus at Limeridge Mall and get to McMaster.

[markbarbera]

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

from what I understand the mountain inclines are all too steep for LRT.

I believe the incline on Claremont is 4˚, being the least steep incline aong mountain access routes in Hamilton. I can't find an online document supporting this, but the original design specs should be at the downtown HPL. I'll check next time I am there.

[DC83]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

I think the Mountain East/West route is from Green Heritage to Meadowlands. HSR has to decide if it's going to be along the Linc or Rymal. I like to see it on Mohawk but I suppose the Linc makes sense since its quick and easy access.

This is for an Express Route, right? Not a regular route?

It only makes sense (to me anyway) to have a regular route along Rymal between Hwy20(Summit Park)-Meadowlands. There's SO much growth along Rymal right now, especially medium-density townhouses.

[SteelTown]

Merulla seeks free transit for Hamilton
By Kevin Werner
News
Dec 21, 2007

'God bless Sam' Whitehead says in reaction to proposal

Is Hamilton ready to provide free transit to residents?

Ward 4 councillor Sam Merulla thinks so.

Mr. Merulla authored a motion last week, which was accepted by his council colleagues, that asked city staff to investigate implementing a free fare or a small fare only public transit service.

Mr. Merulla was the lone politician who opposed council's recent decision to increase bus fares for the second time in less than a year.

"God bless Sam," said Hamilton Mountain councillor Terry Whitehead. "This is a vision. I think you will see free transit in Hamilton. It makes a lot of sense to reduce gridlock and improve the environment."

Mr. Merulla pointed out reducing bus fares encourages more people to get out of their vehicles which cuts pollution and overall improves the environment.

Cities in Europe have already adopted the idea, said Mr. Merulla, and some U.S. cities have also had success offering free public transit.

He mentioned New York City, Seattle, and Portland.

Ancaster councillor Lloyd Ferguson retorted, "Hamilton is a long way from being Manhattan. Hamilton has more pressing issues to deal with."

Mayor Fred Eisenberger said a review of what other municipalities are doing would be "helpful" to councillors.

"We can learn some things," he said. "Maybe we can offer (free transit) during smog days."

Free transit has been somewhat of a success in Seattle's downtown core and in parts of Portland. And while San Francisco is studying the issue, for the most part U.S. cities, such as Austin, Texas, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, for instance, that have tried free fares have already abandoned the idea.

Austin bus drivers launched a campaign to get the municipality to reinstall fare boxes after the destruction youths did on their buses when public transit became free. Vandalism also contributed to Miami and Fort Lauderdale deciding to return to fare boxes.

Earlier this month Hamilton councillors raised the cash amount for bus fares from $2.25 to $2.40, and both the adult and ticket fares jumped by 10 cent. It's projected the city will reap additional revenue of about $1.8 million when the fares take effect Jan. 1, 2008.

Some councillors questioned why the issue was even being debated after they had a few weeks earlier engaged in one of councillors more volatile debates.

"We are just asking staff to write report after report," said Flamborough councillor Margaret McCarthy. "It's nonsensical."

Public works staff will review other municipalities that have tried offering free fares to their residents. The report, though, won't be completed until after the 2008 budget deliberations are completed, sometime next spring, said Public Works General Manager Scott Stewart.

[SteelTown]

Whoa I don't know if Whitehead was being serious or a smart ass.

[coalminecanary]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Mr. Merulla was the lone politician who opposed council's recent decision to increase bus fares for the second time in less than a year.

that's not right is it?

[SteelTown]

It's wrong, those who voted aganist it were Clark, Duvall, McHattie, Bratina and Merulla.

[markbarbera]

Originally Posted by markbarbera

I believe the incline on Claremont is , being the least steep incline aong mountain access routes in Hamilton. I can't find an online document supporting this, but the original design specs should be at the downtown HPL. I'll check next time I am there.

I just got clarification on the incline grade on Claremont Access. While it averages about 4˚ incline to the grade, it has a maximum incline of 6˚. Given the fact that modern LRT can manage inclines of 7˚, a north-south Hamilton LRT line could easily climb the escarpment via the Claremont access. In fact, I would say it would be the most ideal access since most other access routes have some tight turns in them.

[raisethehammer]

hmmm, so future conversion to LRT would need to happen along here. I wonder if they'll run the new A-Line along this same route in order to keep the route the same if/when it goes to LRT?
I suppose it could use Main to Wellington which would fit in perfectly with LRT on Main, both ways.

[DC83]

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

I suppose it could use Main to Wellington which would fit in perfectly with LRT on Main, both ways.

That access is so wide it could fit like 3 lines!! haha It would be a perfect mtn access for N-S LRT... if it is able to climb the grade.

[Justin10000]

I visited Portland, and I can attest that the Portland Streetcar rocks.

[SteelTown]

Liberals walk the talk: ecstatic mayor
By Kevin Werner

Dec 28, 2007

Hamilton's mayor has been as giddy as a school boy at Christmas over the recent Ontario government funding announcements that have been made for Hamilton.

"It shows (the Liberals) are talking the walk," said Fred Eisenberger.

The Liberals recently confirmed that Hamilton will receive $11.2 million in gas tax funding, the fourth highest amount the government is providing to Ontario's 108 municipalities under its $314 million gas fund program.

Toronto is receiving $161 million, while Mississauga is getting $15 million and York Region is receiving $13 million. The funding is good for October 2007 to September 2008.

"This is not new money," said Mr. Eisenberger.

The city has already budgeted the money into its public transit department for more buses, and to accommodate the eventual implementation of the new Presto card, an integrated fare collection system for commuters that will allow them to travel from Durham to Hamilton using a single transit card.

This is the fourth year of the province's gas tax program. The province takes two cents of the gas tax revenues from every litre of gasoline sold. The formula to distribute the revenue is based upon 70 per cent ridership and 30 per cent population.

Even though it was only for a year, Mr. Eisenberger is confident the province will continue to provide the gas tax funding for the foreseeable future.

"This is an ongoing commitment by the province," he said.

The gas tax funding announcement is on top of the $5.5 million Finance Minister Dwight Duncan announced last week for Hamilton to purchase five diesel-electric hybrid articulated buses for the Upper James Rapid Transit Corridor.

It will be Hamilton's responsibility to pay the operating costs for the buses to run from the Hamilton Airport to the downtown, Go Centre and Mohawk College.

The cost to operate one bus per year is between $100,000 to $150,000. No decision has yet been made to establish the routes. It will take about a year for Hamilton to get the buses.

"This is a serious commitment the Liberals are making to Hamilton," said Mr. Eisenberger.

Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale Liberal MPP and cabinet minister Ted McMeekin said the government's recent transit announcements "reflect our government's intent to move on transit funding."

The Liberals announced during the recent provincial election a transit strategy called MoveOn 2020 that is expected to invest about $17.5 billion into public transit that they argue will replace 300 million car trips per year.

"Eventually you will see about $1 billion invested in Hamilton," said Mr. McMeekin.

The Liberals were also trumpeting their announcement to establish a 50-50 cost sharing split with municipalities over land ambulance costs.

Hamilton received $1.4 million under the government's initiative.

"It gets us to our 50-50 cost-sharing pledge we made, finally, by 2008," said Mr. McMeekin.

Municipalities have complained to the provincial government the financial burden they have had to shoulder for land ambulance which they have argued is a provincial responsibility. Municipalities pay the cost and provision of land ambulance services within their jurisdiction.

"They are finally rectifying a mistake that was made (by the previous government)," said Mr. Eisenberger.

[raisethehammer]

$1 billion??? LRT should be a no-brainer!

[coalminecanary]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

It will be Hamilton's responsibility to pay the operating costs for the buses to run from the Hamilton Airport to the downtown, Go Centre and Mohawk College.

The cost to operate one bus per year is between $100,000 to $150,000. No decision has yet been made to establish the routes. It will take about a year for Hamilton to get the buses

100-150 grand a year -- and that's not counting the fact that they'll need serious repairs after 5-6 years and replacement after 10.

This is the number one reason why we need to buy us some LRT! Buses are a long term financial drain which will be borne by the city. LRT is a long term money maker with a downside of higher capital costs. If the province is picking up the capital tab, why would we ever EVER choose to spend that on buses instead of rail? Sense needs to be knocked into some heads around this town - and fast.

[SteelTown]

The 1 billion figure likely also includes upgrading GO Trains to Super GO for Hamilton as well and Metrolinx's projects for Hamilton like a new GO Station. But still plenty of room for West/East LRT.

[raisethehammer]

another great light rail piece:


Norfolk says light rail's benefits already rolling in
Light rail in Norfolk Virginia has already has helped generate more than $220 million in planned office, retail, apartment and hotel development downtown - before construction has even begun.
By Jennifer Jiggetts, Last Updated Thursday, December 27, 2007

(Published in The Virginian-Pilot on December 6, 2007.)

The first shovel of dirt has not been turned, yet light rail already has helpe generate more than $220 million in planned office, retail, apartment and hote development downtown

Developers of three projects - Wachovia Center, Belmont at Freemason apartments and a Residence Inn - said the city's starter light rail influenced their business decisions. Having modern transit within a short walking distance delivers a steady stream of potential customers and provides an alternative to driving for residents and workers, they said.

Wachovia Center is a 22-story tower and apartment building that will include office, retail and residential space on Monticello Avenue.

"The fact that there will be a light rail stop right out the front door of our project was a key part of why we selected that site," said Thomas G. Johnson III, vice president of sales and development for Nusbaum Realty, the project developer.

Developers of the Residence Inn by Marriott on Brambleton Avenue are counting on light rail to transport customers to what they believe will be a big draw for their extended-stay rooms, the Eastern Virginia Medical Center.

For Belmont at Freemason, "light rail was a big factor in the size, quality and scale of our project," said Pete O. Kotarides, of Kotarides Developers, which plans to break ground early next year on the three-building complex, which will be adjacent to light rail's York Street station.

It's hard to predict how much more Norfolk can expect in private development along the 7.5-mile transit line, The Tide, which breaks ground Saturday.

What is certain, though, is that many modern light rail projects are as much about economic development as transportation. Light rail lines are increasingly being used to encourage and guide growth.

The American Public Transportation Association reports that, on average, $6 of private money is invested along a new transit line for every $1 of public money spent. That means for Norfolk's $232.1 million line, $1.4 billion in new development could follow.

"We know why this project is being built - it's truly about economic development," Federal Transit Administrator James S. Simpson said in October when he was in town to award a $128 million federal subsidy for light rail construction. Industry experts warn, though, that there's no guarantee of significant private investment.

"It's not automatic; it has to be proactive," said Robert Cervero, chairman of the city and regional planning department at the University of California, Berkeley, who has done extensive research on transit-oriented development.

To realize the development benefits, Cervero said, other things must be in place. Those include land-use policies supporting transit; a strong economy; a population that's inclined to use transit; and a transit system that's effective and inviting in both service and design.

Cervero, a Norfolk native, said downtown's redevelopment is at a "tipping point." facing challenges with traffic congestion and parking supply.

"It's fortuitous to bring in light rail now," he said. "Without question, light rail can further stimulate the redevelopment of downtown Norfolk. A great thing rail does is provide a focus area."

Two cities that are often held up as prime examples of how to best integrate light rail and economic development are Dallas and Portland, Ore.

Since building the first light rail line in Portland in the late 1970s, the city has realized more than $3 billion in development adjacent to the line. In Dallas, more than $1 billion has been spent on new development around DART in the past decade.

Closer to home, Charlotte opened its first leg of light rail last month. Already, $400 million in new development is under way and another $1.4 billion is planned through 2011.

But not all light rail projects have been economic development success stories.

"One thing that can happen is nothing," said Robert Dunphy, of the Urban Land Institute. "Transit advocates will claim if you put rail in, all of a sudden you'll have this money flowing. It's just not true.

"What has to happen is someone needs to look at the market and focus the development and make sure there's a supportive environment."

Already, Norfolk has adopted a parking policy that limits the growth of downtown parking to encourage transit use.

City planners are now evaluating land uses along the light rail route and identifying where there are opportunities for new development. In some areas, that will mean higher-density development, said Planning Director Frank Duke. Duke, who came to Norfolk in August, said the process should have started many months ago.

"We need a smart plan now," said Councilman W. Randy Wright. "We're not going to get the best development by letting plans happen on their own."

In Charlotte, the city started integrating plans for transit and land use in the 1990s, long before the first light rail track was laid.

"We don't see how we can do one without the other; we wouldn't be successful in either," said Tina Votaw, transit oriented development specialist with Charlotte's transit agency.

Meanwhile, the city is soliciting proposals for redeveloping what's now the Kirn Memorial Library site. The library will be relocated, and its building demolished next year to make way for a light rail station.

Roderick S. Woolard, economic development director, envisions more development opportunities at Fort Norfolk, Harbor Park, Military Highway and Newtown Road.

"The greatest value will be connectivity," he said. "We'll be connecting Fort Norfolk to downtown and Harbor Park to downtown. It will enable us to have a greater downtown area."

Wright said that as a result of light rail, the city already has received one unsolicited proposal for developing land near Harbor Park. He would not provide details.

"There's already huge opportunities within the city of Norfolk," he said. "Ultimately, when we extend the line to the Navy base, there will be more opportunities. And even more if it goes into Virginia Beach."

http://hamiltonlightrail.com/article/norfolk_says_light_rails_benefits_already_rolling_in/

[raisethehammer]

moderators...we really need a 'Green Developments' section. pretty please??


Great read:

CATCH News – January 4, 2008
Peak oil author speaking in Hamilton
The urban issues consultant who advised city council on the implications of peak oil will be the keynote speaker at a public forum on January 10. Richard Gilbert will be talking about the future of transportation without oil, in Hamilton and elsewhere, with particular emphasis on the prospects for air travel and light rail <http://www.richardgilbert.ca/Files/2007/Perl%20Gilbert,%20WCTR%202007.pdf> transit.
The meeting is part of a bi-monthly series organized by Hamiltonians for Progressive Development <http://www.progressivedevelopment.ca/> . Gilbert will be questioned by an expert panel that includes McMaster professor Nicholas Kevlahan, Environment Hamilton executive director Lynda Lukasik, and the city’s general manager of public works, Scott Stewart.
Gilbert was commissioned by the city in the summer of 2005 to do a study on how Hamilton should respond to rapidly rising energy prices. At that point oil was selling at under $65 a barrel. This week it reached $100 a barrel.
Gilbert’s report <http://www.richardgilbert.ca/Files/2006/Hamilton--Electric%20City%20(Web).pdf> predicted that prices will rise much further over the next decade as global production is no longer able to meet demand. He concluded that it is likely that gasoline prices will reach $4 a litre by 2018. Consequently he called on the city to redo all its plans to put energy first. His views were outlined in a Spectator feature <http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/297841> in mid-December.
He also recommended that a more detailed follow-up report be commissioned by the city. At the April 2006 meeting where Gilbert formally presented his report, councillors asked staff to prepare a terms of reference for such a follow-up study, but this has still not been done.
Last month, Gilbert and SimonFraserUniversity professor Anthony Perl released a new book called Transport Revolutions: Moving People and Freight Without Oil <http://www.richardgilbert.ca/transportrevolutions/index.htm> which offers responses to “an early peak in world oil production and profound climate change resulting in part from oil use.”
Thursday’s free public forum starts at 7:30 pm in the FRWY Café at 333 King Street East (corner of Wellington).