Halifax Transit

[Dmajackson]

^Lets hope that. Not that it would surprise me, Johns doesn't think before he talks.

As for the bus routes they mentioned in the articles strictly speaking from a completely Bedford biased opinion the 66 expansion would make sense. Its the only route connecting Bedford to Dartmouth and Burnside which is one of our two big employment areas. I know many people who use the route and after 6 (?) pm in order to get home to Dartmouth they have to take the 80 in town then transfer onto a Dartmouth bus on the peninsula.

Also from experience the #1 would be a wise choice too

[hfx_chris]

Not too much I can say to this from a transit perspective, except that this is of course good news. Am glad to hear about some new artics, as the seating capacity on a conventional 40-ft low floor bus is significantly reduced from a 40-ft high floor bus. Those artics were needed a few years ago, but sooner is better than later.

[Aya_Akai]

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

Those artics were needed a few years ago, but sooner is better than later.

...sooner is better than never

[Dmajackson]

New Transit Tax Structure Considered

(Tuesday, December 16 2008) A recommendation was put forward to Regional Council today for a new tax structure for Metro Transit. The recommendation was approved in principle at Committee of the Whole. Staff are to return with the proposed tax rates and services for additional discussion and possible final approval during the 2009/2010 budget debate.

"Metro Transit's service and ridership has grown substantially over the past several years, with a 40% increase in ridership since 2002 . This growth is the result of an additional investment in transit including 70 additional vehicles, the introduction of the new MetroLink service and the soon to be launched Rural Transit Express, which will expand the traditional boundaries of the urban transit service past its core, serving residents from all over HRM," says Geri Kaiser, Deputy CAO.

A robust public transit system will benefit all residents of HRM; with less traffic on the roads and the environmental benefits derived from that (one bus replaces 40 cars on the road); less road maintenance and upgrades (cost avoidance of $165 million over 25 years) and also the promotion of economic growth, allowing commercial traffic to move more quickly.

The recommendation is to replace the current transit tax structure with two area rates for transit: a Local Transit Area Rate and a Regional Transit Area Rate.

• Local Transit Area Rate: a tax would be on each home that is within walking distance of a local Metro Transit bus stop or Park & Ride lot. All communities would share the same tax rate, with a lower rate for apartment and condo buildings. The MetroLink, Rural Express and Ferry services are excluded from this rate.
• Regional Transit Area Rate: would be cost shared with most everyone across the Municipality to cover the MetroLink, Rural Express and Ferry Services. There would also be a lower rate for multi- unit buildings.

These changes to the tax structure to Transit change how tax revenues will be collected but do not result in any new tax revenue in the current 2008 - 2009 year.

For more information, and to read the recommendation to Council, visit www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/081209rcAgenda.html

[Dmajackson]

I don't recall anybody ever posting much information on the new Bridge Terminal in Dartmouth. But here it is (all from HRM's Metro Transit Website

Dartmouth Bridge Terminal Expansion Project



The Dartmouth Bridge Terminal is one of Metro Transit's key transfer points, serving as many as 18 routes and over 17,000 passengers per weekday.

Built in 1995, the existing terminal can no longer accommodate the swell in transit demands and therefore, the proposed terminal expansion is a crucial component in order to provide increased transit services in the Dartmouth area.



Several years of work on this project culminated on Monday, November 24, 2008 when the Nova Scotia Legislature amended the Municipal Government Act to allow the expansion of the Bridge Terminal on 6 acres of the Dartmouth Commons land.



With this approval, Metro Transit is now proceeding with the project, with specific timelines in place:

Public Consultation: Winter 2009
Detailed Design: Winter/Spring 2009
Construction: Spring/Summer/Fall 2009


Metro Transit expects the terminal to be in operation by fall 2009.



The key features of the terminal expansion include:

Significant expansion to existing terminal
Expansion similar to the Portland Hills Terminal, but much larger
Efficient terminal layout, designed to significantly decrease delays for buses & passengers accessing the terminal, particularly during peak service hours
Will include the following:
16 bus bays, eight of which will accommodate articulated buses
Passengers will access buses from the curb, rather than in active bus lanes
Significant on-site layover space
Fully enclosed, heated/air conditioned terminal waiting area
Fully accessible for mobility-impaired passengers
Enhanced safety & security measures
Environmentally conscious design & construction
Enhanced active transportation connections to nearby properties
Attractive landscaping & design

Bridge Terminal Rendering

[hfx_chris]

http://www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/documents/terminal.PDF
Shows what it will look like. So everyone can get their bearings, Wyse Road is at the top and Nantucket is on the right. The building in the upper right is the Scotiabank, and the present terminal is in the top right approximately where those two blue buses are

[reddog794]

I like the fact that they are using the old Nantucket connector. It gets rid of an unsightly, patch of asphalt, and brings the Urban green, to arms reach, making more accessible, and less likely spot to smoke pot. Maybe it won't seem like some creepy woods off to the side, looming, at the other end of the fenced, parking lot, waiting to pounce on you while you, wait for the 1.

I wonder, what other projects they have like this.

[hfx_chris]

As far as I know the only other terminal replacement plans are for Penhorn terminal once the mall redevelopment happens, and a future replacement for the Lacewood terminal.

[Dmajackson]

I wonder if they will ever expand the Scotia Square terminal. It really needs it. Hopefully they'll do something with it when the Cogswell is taken down eventually.

Theres also the new Bedford South Terminal for the fast ferry coming in a couple of years.

I hope they will put in a terminal either in Bedford West or at the Larry Uteck Interchange when complete.

[Jonovision]

I'm glad theres finally a time line for the dartmouth terminal. It looks really nice. My one comment though on the design is that it would be nice if the buses were to park at more of a perpendicular angle to the terminal. I don't like how the buses are so far apart. There are so many buses that run the same route out of that terminal that you could be doing a lot of running around to try and catch the first bus that comes.

[sdm]

Originally Posted by Bedford_DJ

I wonder if they will ever expand the Scotia Square terminal. It really needs it. Hopefully they'll do something with it when the Cogswell is taken down eventually.

Theres also the new Bedford South Terminal for the fast ferry coming in a couple of years.

I hope they will put in a terminal either in Bedford West or at the Larry Uteck Interchange when complete.

the biggest transit problem is burnside. There are a number of large employers over there who can't get people from bedroom communites like clayton park. Last i heard it takes 4 hours to go from clayton park to burnside. Theres like what 3 routes in the park?

Its not like burnside isn't important, seeing how its a close second to the economic spin off to downtown.

[hfx_chris]

Originally Posted by sdm

the biggest transit problem is burnside. There are a number of large employers over there who can't get people from bedroom communites like clayton park. Last i heard it takes 4 hours to go from clayton park to burnside. Theres like what 3 routes in the park?

Burnside is serviced by 4 routes, 8 if you include the ones destined for Lower Sackville which take Windmill Road. Travel from Clayton Park to Burnside should be approximately 40-50 minutes according to the schedule, obviously doesn't include traffic delays. I find when people are annoyed, they tend to over-exaggerate, there's no way in hell it would ever take anyone four hours to travel that distance by bus...

[DuffMan]

I used to take the bus from Clayton Park to Burnside, and it would take between 50 minutes and 1 hour during rush hour. When you add in the additional time it took to get from home to bus stop, wait for bus (rarely right on time) and then when I arrived get to work, it would end up taking close to an hour and 1 half. I eventually caved and bought a 2nd car to take to work.

I would go back to transit if they had Metro Link from Clayton Park to Burnside (assuming it stopped close to my work place). I think they could get the bus trip to 30 minutes, and total travel time maybe 45 minutes (I would probably park my car at the Clayton Park terminal). I think a lot of people would do likewise.

If they did Metro Link to Burnside, I think they would have to include several Burnside stops, in order to get people close to where they work.

[DuffMan]

Speaking of Metro Link, I hope Peter Kelly asks for some of that sweet Harper stimulous money for Metro Link expansion - specifically from Clayton Park and Timberlea to downtown (as well as to Burnside of course). I also think they could invest in a major terminal upgrade at Scotia Square - I'm thinking of an indoor bus terminal similar to Place Bonaventure (I think that's the name) in downtown Montreal. A lot more downtown workers would take the bus once the arrive indoors and can take the pedways to work..

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

I used to take the bus from Clayton Park to Burnside, and it would take between 50 minutes and 1 hour during rush hour. When you add in the additional time it took to get from home to bus stop, wait for bus (rarely right on time) and then when I arrived get to work, it would end up taking close to an hour and 1 half. I eventually caved and bought a 2nd car to take to work.

I would go back to transit if they had Metro Link from Clayton Park to Burnside (assuming it stopped close to my work place). I think they could get the bus trip to 30 minutes, and total travel time maybe 45 minutes (I would probably park my car at the Clayton Park terminal). I think a lot of people would do likewise.

If they did Metro Link to Burnside, I think they would have to include several Burnside stops, in order to get people close to where they work.

I think because of the shear size of Burnside they should instead have two or three routes into Burnside. All would come across the bridge but they would split into something like this;

Route 1 would turn onto Victoria/Windmill Road and head up to Akerley Blvd. At John Savage the bus would loop back around to Akerley. Stops would be at Wright/Windmill, Akerley/Joesph Zatsman, and John Savage/Wright.

Route 2 would continue up to Burnside Drive and loop around in the John Savage - Wright - Akerley loop. Stops would be at Burnside/Commodore and Burnside/Wright.

Route 3 could be a Dartmouth Crossing one. It would get off at Windmill and turn up Wright Ave into Dartmouth Crossing. Stops could be at Wright/Windmill, Wright/Burnside, and one in DC.

Of course these are just ideas but they would serve the three main routes in Burnside. As for Burnside Drive thanks to the wide ROW they could easily install a bus lane, pedways over the street, and mini-terminals off of the road.

Originally Posted by DuffMan

Speaking of Metro Link, I hope Peter Kelly asks for some of that sweet Harper stimulous money for Metro Link expansion - specifically from Clayton Park and Timberlea to downtown (as well as to Burnside of course). I also think they could invest in a major terminal upgrade at Scotia Square - I'm thinking of an indoor bus terminal similar to Place Bonaventure (I think that's the name) in downtown Montreal. A lot more downtown workers would take the bus once the arrive indoors and can take the pedways to work..

Timberlea isn't in the plans for a MetroLink but it is getting the MetroExpress bus in the Fall which should work as good as a MetroLink.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Bedford_DJ

I think because of the shear size of Burnside they should instead have two or three routes into Burnside. All would come across the bridge

Knowing Metro Transit, they would route them all using the MacDonald bridge and make them grind through Dartmouth before even getting near Burnside!

As for Burnside Drive thanks to the wide ROW they could easily install a bus lane, pedways over the street, and mini-terminals off of the road.

Surely you jest. They almost never have bus pullovers, much less bus lanes, even where there is plenty of room. Pedways? Terminals? In this town? Don't be serious. Hell, they have been talking for years, literally, about a pedway over the 111 from Highfield Park to somewhere near the existing Transit garage. See it yet? It's not even on Mayor Doofus' "shovel-ready" <gag> list of projects that he went begging to Ottawa for.

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Knowing Metro Transit, they would route them all using the MacDonald bridge and make them grind through Dartmouth before even getting near Burnside!

I very highly doubt that for some reasons. One if they are coming from Clayton Park its much easier to map a route over the MacKay then map a route through the peninsula. And two, the current Sackville MetroLink uses the MacKay because its convenient so they woud do the same for a Clayton Park one.

Surely you jest. They almost never have bus pullovers, much less bus lanes, even where there is plenty of room. Pedways? Terminals? In this town? Don't be serious. Hell, they have been talking for years, literally, about a pedway over the 111 from Highfield Park to somewhere near the existing Transit garage. See it yet? It's not even on Mayor Doofus' "shovel-ready" <gag> list of projects that he went begging to Ottawa for.

Well that was just what I thought they should do. By Mini-Terminals I really just meant a sidewalk, a bus shelter, seating, and where the bus goes. Kind of like what they have on Wright Ave now for the Sackville bus. A pedway would be required because well I don't know about you guys but I'm not going to try to cross a 80km/h highway on a short light.

As for the 111 pedway it has been approved, site selected and funded. Last I read its supposed to be built this year sometime.

[hfx_chris]

Without everyone going too off course, I should let you all know the chances of a direct Clayton Park to Burnside MetroLink route is pretty much nil. Burnside does need better bus service yes, but you're not going to see MetroLink routes running all through the park.
When I said 40-50 minutes by schedule earlier, I was thinking of taking the route 52 directly from Clayton Park into Burnside. I completely forgot the route 16, which goes from the Clayton Park West/Parkland Drive area to Highfield terminal (scheduled to take 25 minutes), and getting from Highfield to Burnside during rush hour is relatively easy, with the routes 51, 52, 64 and 66 all heading into the park from Highfield. So that's another potential connection one could make.

As far as Timberlea MetroLink, it was talked about as being a potential MetroLink destination, but I think the rural express project killed that one. Aside from Clayton Park, Spryfield was the only other area I heard that could get MetroLink service.

[someone123]

The Timberlea MetroLink seemed like it would be overkill.

Spryfield has more people and higher than normal transit use. I also think it might see significant development in the future (Williams-Colpitt Lake if that was approved). I remember the 20 being packed articulated buses at peak times.

[Dmajackson]

Transit's Go Time soon getting GPS upgrade
PAUL MCLEOD, METRO HALIFAX
January 19, 2009 01:00


At some point every Metro Transit rider has had the experience of cursing Go Time. That could soon change.


People who call the Go Time number at bus stops get the scheduled time their bus should show up. Of course, the scheduled time can sometimes be way off.


GPS systems will change all that. By now, Go Time was supposed to give you the actual times your bus was coming. The system would tap into the GPS of the bus and give you an accurate predicted time, taking into account delays.


That system was supposed to go online in 2008, but according to Mayor Peter Kelly, there were issues that pushed it back. Currently most buses have GPS systems, but not all. That’s about to change.


The municipality is in the process of buying new GPS systems so the whole fleet will be equipped.


HRM is also buying buses new cash boxes so there will be a consistent system. Right now different buses have different setups depending on the model.


“It’s to upgrade and also to make sure we standardize things and keep the same systems in place, so we don’t have a mish mash,” said Kelly.
Halifax is also getting new inflatable shelters to help with rescue operations. The shelters are mostly funded by the federal government and are to be used across Atlantic Canada when needed.
“If there’s a fire or you need temporary lodging or a cookhouse, whatever you need, these can be used for that purpose,” he said.
“This is gear that we need in the event of an (emergency) response.”