Halifax Transit

[hfx_chris]

I was wondering what the delay was with the GPS systems.

Originally Posted by Bedford_DJ

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.

No they don't.. they standardized the fareboxes two years ago when they replaced every last one of the older boxes with the new electronic ones. What the hell is he talking about...

[pnightingale]

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

No they don't.. they standardized the fareboxes two years ago when they replaced every last one of the older boxes with the new electronic ones. What the hell is he talking about...

It's odd how they replaced the fare boxes only a few years ago and already they are talking about getting new ones. I think I read that the new fareboxes will be able to collect fares electronically. My understanding is this would be a system similar to the Metro Card in New York or the Metro Pass in Toronto. I hope this is the case, as Halifax is way behind most other cities in implementing this technology. Montreal is already planning the upgrade to smart cards on their metro.

Honestly I never understood why they upgraded the fareboxes... Just by looking at them, they look like they should be able to count change to make sure the correct fare is paid, but I'm fairly certain that they don't use this feature (if it's available).

Hfx_chris, I know you know a lot more about our transit system, perhaps you have some insight into this.

[someone123]

The ones here in Vancouver count change and have a reader that takes cards or transfers.

In practice, the fareboxes pull in the passes, read them, then spit them out. It takes too long so you just show your pass to the bus driver. For the articulated bus routes they also have "3 door boarding" and there is no checking of passes - it's honour system, with the occasional check and possible fine.

On the SkyTrain there are no turnstiles. In practice this is great and probably doesn't result in much lost money, but now I think there is some obsession with installing them (for $60M to recover $2M in annual losses or whatever it is... with part of the argument being that it would cut down on crime or something?).

[hfx_chris]

Originally Posted by pnightingale

It's odd how they replaced the fare boxes only a few years ago and already they are talking about getting new ones. I think I read that the new fareboxes will be able to collect fares electronically. My understanding is this would be a system similar to the Metro Card in New York or the Metro Pass in Toronto. I hope this is the case, as Halifax is way behind most other cities in implementing this technology. Montreal is already planning the upgrade to smart cards on their metro.

Honestly I never understood why they upgraded the fareboxes... Just by looking at them, they look like they should be able to count change to make sure the correct fare is paid, but I'm fairly certain that they don't use this feature (if it's available).

Hfx_chris, I know you know a lot more about our transit system, perhaps you have some insight into this.

The current fareboxes are the new ones, they're not going to be replacing them. They are electronic boxes, and do count change, that's why there a bit more finicky with large wads of coins getting jammed in it (also why there's a separate slot for bills and tickets), unlike the old boxes where you could dump a whole handful of nickels into it without issue. The boxes are expandable too, so they can add things like card readers (either magnetic strip or RFID) or transfer printers to it. That's the eventual plan, to add some sort of card reader to the boxes, and that's why they went with these boxes, because of the expandability aspect. I agree though, it'll probably be another 5-10 years before that ever happens, and by then these boxes will probably be worn out and ready for the junk pile..

[pnightingale]

Well that's good, I was worried they were going to be replacing them again!

I don't think I've seen a bus with the old fareboxes in a few years... even the older New Look busses have them... So I wonder why we keep seeing farebox upgrades in the budget... Hopefully they have a pass reader in the works, as I would love to be able to carry a balance on a card instead of having to carry a bunch of tickets.

[Keith P.]

I wonder what the over/under is on the current pass structure? I never bothered with one after the first month since all it took was a day of not using the bus to commute to make using tickets a better option. Maybe they will lose money by going to a smart pass.

[Jonovision]

I was on the ferry today and the other ferry is back from its annual maintenance and they repainted it. No more stripes. They now have the little squiggles.

[hfx_chris]

Indeed they did. I managed to get a couple of shots of it when I saw it on Wednesday. Looks beautiful

[Dmajackson]

^That defenitely looks better than before. It looks like a brand new boat.

[Keith P.]

Those are such awful ferries though. The seats are ridiculously uncomfortable and they sail like one of those baking soda powered things you had as a kid. Slow too.

[hfx_chris]

Considering it's a 10 minute ride, the seats are adequate... and considering what they're used for and the small distance they have to travel, they really don't need to go any faster than they currently do. Besides, as oogie I'm sure can tell us, there are speed limits around these areas.

[Dmajackson]

On- Line Trip Diary Survey launched to help shape future Transit Service

(Monday, February 2, 2009) - Metro Transit is in the process of developing a new five year strategic operations plan for transit services in the region. As a component of this ongoing process, an on-line trip diary survey and campaign entitled "Which Way HRM ?"has just been launched and will run until Friday, March 6th, 2009. Transit passengers and HRM citizens alike are being asked to provide their feedback on what their daily trip patterns are in and around HRM, to help shape the future of public transit.

" In order to create the best transit plan possible, we are asking local residents to complete a short on-line travel survey, so we can better understand residents' travel requirements and deploy our transit resources accordingly, said Mayor Peter Kelly. He added, "We need both transit riders and non-riders to take 10 minutes on-line to complete the survey, as the best basis for a new plan is a solid understanding of the current travel requirements of our residents. Citizens have told us that they want a better transit system. Now we are taking action and we would like as much input as possible."

Everyone who completes Metro Transit's on-line trip diary survey will be automatically entered in a contest to win one of 5 iPod nanos, gift certificates or Metro Transit passes! Contest details are available on - line. To fill out the survey, just go to www.hrmlistens.com and follow the on-screen instructions; or check for the on-line survey banner on the bottom of the Metro Transit Home Page at www.halifax.ca/metrotransit. Look for the "Which Way, HRM ?" advertising bus boards, transit shelter posters and flyers in your household mail over the next few weeks or call the HRM Call Centre at 490-4000 for more details.

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Personal Note: I've already filled out the survey once and it is very easy to do and will hopefully get some better routes into service.

I made sure to highlight the need for the Bedford fast ferry and more bus runs on the 82 and 80.

[hfx_chris]

Nice. Just completed mine too.
Fortunately, the corridor I currently take to/from work (Portland) is very well serviced, so I don't have too many complaints about the system... right now at least.

[Dmajackson]

City council agrees to consider bus to Sambro

By AMY PUGSLEY FRASER City Hall Reporter
Wed. Feb 11 - 5:35 AM
Boarding a Metro Transit bus out in Sambro could soon become the norm now that council has approved consideration of the concept for next year’s budget.

Coun. Stephen Adams (Spryfield-Herring Cove) has been working on such a plan for about six years. But council’s recent decision to spread the cost of public transit over a broader base of taxpayers allows the idea to take hold, he said.

Staff in the fiscal and tax policy department will bring forward a new tax structure in the spring to have more than just urban dwellers pay the bulk of the cost of public transit. A new system is necessary, staff told council in December, as Halifax expands and improves its bus and ferry operations.

Expanded bus service would provide greater mobility to hundreds of people in the Sambro area, says a member of the Williamswood-Harrietsfield Transit Committee.

"Right now, a lot of people end up hitchhiking or depending on family members to make two and three trips to town every day," Gary MacLeod said Monday.

"It’s really inconvenient."

Metro Transit buses now venture only as far as Leiblin Park in Spryfield.

But Mr. MacLeod, a Williamswood resident, said his area warrants a bus route because it has "grown up" around him since he moved there 40 years ago.

"It is growing every year and we’ve had a lot of (new) subdivisions," he said.

Many seniors would take a bus, Mr. MacLeod said, especially in winter when older residents are hesitant to take their cars out.

Mr. Adams said transit staff could explore possible routes.

The councillor is pleased that a new tax system could allow public transit to be affordable in outlying areas of Halifax Regional Municipality.

"I’m excited about this. I can’t wait," he said.

"It’s the first step in bringing transit to other areas of rural HRM."

During Tuesday’s council meeting, Mr. Adams said areas like Fall River, Lucasville Road, Cow Bay and the Eastern Shore could be next on the list.

[hfx_chris]

That idea has been tossed around for as long as I can remember... glad it's finally getting some real thought this time.

[Dmajackson]

No big updates this time

Minor Route & Schedule Adjustments, effective Sunday,

February 15, 2009.



Route #10 Dalhousie

Service increase

• Additional am peak trips from Mic Mac Mall to South & LeMarchant at 8:01am & 8:16am

• Additional pm peak trips from South & LeMarchant at 4:03pm & 4:17pm



Route #16 Parkland

Routing adjustment

• Will travel between Bridge Terminal & Highfield Terminal via Primrose St. and Robert Burns Dr.



Route #34 Glenbourne

Service increase

• Additional am peak trip added at 7:45am from Heathside Crescent



Route #14 Leiblin Park / Route #61 Auburn

Service increase

• Additional pm peak trip from SMU to Barrington & Duke Northbound at 4:28pm - thru routed to Route #61 Auburn at 4:42pm to Barrington & Duke



Route #52 Crosstown (Ilsley)

Service adjustment for weekdays & Saturday

• Trips departing Colford will leave 3 minutes earlier

[Keith P.]

Those additional peak trips on the #10 are probably due to increased use of the wretched low-floors, which hold about as many people as a minivan.

[hfx_chris]

That's what most of the service increases are for, I would hazard.

[Dmajackson]

Wouldn't it be nice if GoTime actually told you when your bus is coming?
PAUL MCLEOD, METRO HALIFAX
February 18, 2009 12:29

Imagine a world where you call Metro Transit’s GoTime number to find out when your bus comes — and it actually comes at that time.

That could be a reality as early as late August. Metro Transit has fitted its buses with GPS systems, and is currently testing a system that would tell you exactly when your bus will arrive.

Right now, when you call GoTime, you are told only the scheduled time — the time your bus would arrive in a fantasy world with no traffic jams or weather. The new system will locate the bus and calculate the time it takes to get to you, so you’ll know if it’s running early or late.

“They’re doing online trip testing to try to ensure everything is accurate before we turn it on for the public, because (it not working properly) would be the worst thing,” Metro Transit spokeswoman Lori Patterson said.

“Say (there’s) one route that’s switching over to another route (with) 20-minute layovers every third trip — we want to ensure that the system is working properly before we put it out there. Otherwise it would result in more confusion.”

Metro Transit plans to implement the system around the end of August. It’s been in the works for two years, but has fallen slightly behind schedule. Part of that was due to the recent GoTime transformation that overhauled the bus-stop phone numbers and voice system.

“It’s been a major project,” Patterson said. “(When it’s done) we’ll have the most up-to-date and real information.”

Another coming change is increased security. Half of Metro Transit’s buses are scheduled to have functioning video cameras installed by March.

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Just a little bit behind schedule? Its a year and a half behind the original roll-out date.

[hfx_chris]

My biggest wish for the AVL system is that the monitors at the terminals would A. scroll a little faster, and B. pause every now and then. If you're watching the one at Scotia Square northbound trying to find the departure time for the route 1, and it's already gone by, you can be sitting there for a good 1-2 minutes while it slowly scrolls, then if you're not watching at the exact second that it rewinds to the beginning, you've missed it. It should be a continuous scrolling loop, and it should scroll faster.