The future of Hamilton's public transit

[SteelTown]

Ah PRT yea that's something McMaster and the city looked at for the Hydro corridor. (Chedoke area to Cootes parking lot area)

[SteelTown]

"In fact, a feasibility study done in 2006 estimates GO Transit bus service linking Niagara with Hamilton would carry roughly 2,800 passengers a day."

[LikeHamilton]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Bike racks on buses will make it easier to leave the car at home

The Hamilton Spectator
(Apr 4, 2008)

It's going to get a lot easier to get around Hamilton with a bike, thanks to $191,000 from the Metrolinx BikeLinx program.

The money will be used to enhance the links between active transportation and public transit, specifically funding for bike racks on Hamilton Street Railway buses, secure parking for bikes at strategic spots near major HSR and inter- regional transit facilities such as GO Transit stops.

Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger, a member of the board of Metrolinx, formerly known as the Greater Toronto Transit Authority, says the money will encourage cycling as an alternative mode of transportation.

The city is hoping the money will help increase the percentage of commuting trips by walking or cycling to 15 per cent from 5 per cent.

Daryl Bender, the city's alternative transportation manager, says secure parking and locking facilities for bicycles will help marry cycling infrastructure with public transit.

I thought that all of the busses have bike racks already on them? I have not seen one recently without one.

[markbarbera]

Originally Posted by LikeHamilton

I thought that all of the busses have bike racks already on them? I have not seen one recently without one.

And I have yet to actually see one in use...

[SteelTown]

Money will probably go all towards bike storage at TH&B Station, McMaster, Eastgate, Limeridge, Medowlands, etc.

[markbarbera]

Bike storage at terminals does make much more sense, Steeltown. They have a much more practical use for commuters than racks on buses.

[flar]

I think a lot of people are afraid to use the bike racks. I've looked at them and have no idea how they work. Plus everyone on the bus will be pissed off when you take five minutes to figure out how to secure your bike. Now that the nice weather is here, we'll see for sure whether people use them.

[DC83]

Originally Posted by the dude

Is that from UDM (Université de Montréal)??

I went to school there, and the Université de Montréal Metro Stn was at the bottom of the hill (Mount Royal) and the main building is like right ontop of the hill, and in order to access it, you have to take this 3 minute long, angled-up people mover. It was VERY convenient after a night on the town!

[DC83]

^^ NOT the same one...

THIS is from UDM

from _snowman_ on flickr.com,
http://flickr.com/photos/15501685@N06/1661246846/

[raisethehammer]

Originally Posted by markbarbera

And I have yet to actually see one in use...

really?? wow. I've seen a TON. Last week there were 4 buses in a row lined up in Gore Park all with bikes. One had 2 bikes.
I see at least one bus a day with bikes, and I'm sure that will increase as the weather gets better.

[drpgq]

I saw a bike rack being used today, on a bus coming down the Jolley Cut. First I've ever seen, although the last five months have hardly been bike friendly.

[the dude]

Originally Posted by DC83

Is that from UDM (Université de Montréal)??

close, it's beaudry metro station.

[chris k]

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

really?? wow. I've seen a TON. Last week there were 4 buses in a row lined up in Gore Park all with bikes. One had 2 bikes.
I see at least one bus a day with bikes, and I'm sure that will increase as the weather gets better.

I have seen a couple in use aswell
Mainly on the 01 King when i was on

I was glad to see this because now i alos know how to use them

[chris k]

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

hey guys...get ready to send emails, write letters and attend public meetings.
The city is now embarking on the planning process that will see a decision made in JUNE OF THIS YEAR whether or not to use LRT or BRT.
Staff are preparing a report for council and the tentative date for that report to be presented to council is April 23. There will be public information centres to follow.
THIS IS OUR CHANCE. Those of you with a passion to see LRT come to Hamilton need to buckle up and get ready to educate, promote and encourage councilors, citizens and the local media over the next 4 months.
Thanks to some great work by new staffers in city hall and a couple of councillors this has been pushed to the top of the agenda this year.
Metrolinx is also going with their planning process over the next 9 months that will determine where they recommend provincial budget money flow next year.
If all goes well, we COULD see an LRT announcement at the provincial budget a year from now.

Sorry if this has already been posted, i haven't been able to keep up with the board lately but theres a video on the Hamilton Light Rail website.

Outlining some information and maybe some of you could educate yourselves before sending of emails demanding LRT. Can't wait to see what they choose!

[SteelTown]

National Steel Car built.....


Wouldn't be surprised if Dalton awarded the contract to National Steel Car for the rail lines for the LRT under MoveOntario 2020. That will help our economy. Funny thing was those streetcars were built during around the 1930's, a government created program to provide jobs.

[HAMRetrofit]

National steel car manufactures freight trains. They do not manufacture any passenger rail cars. I could see bombardier getting the contract for the LRT. They already manufacture cars for the TTC.

[SteelTown]

They make rail lines.

[RePinion]

National Steel Car makes unpowered rolling stock. Bombardier makes both powered and unpowered. I don't think either company makes "rail lines". (Don't steel companies normally do that?).

[RePinion]

I would agree that Bombardier is the likely contractor for LRT.

[SteelTown]

Steel companies make steel but they don't make them into rail lines. National Steel Car takes steel and mold them into rail lines.