Halifax Transit

[hfx_chris]

The GPS functionality is, as I know for a fact the transit control centre has the ability to track the location of buses using GPS - however I don't think they've quite got it to work yet with the public side of the system, as every time I've ever called or looked up a departure time on one of the monitors, it always gives scheduled times not actual times.

[hfx_chris]

By the way, by the sounds of it big changes on the horizon for transit in Halifax, according to a friend who went to their open house on Monday. They're having another one at city hall tonight if anyone wants to go, I won't be able to make it because of prior commitments this week... but by the sounds of it they're completely redoing a lot of the system.

[planarchy]

“The Priority Plan”
2010-2014 Transit Service Strategy

[taken from a Metro Transit info sheet available here]
[open house presentation is also available here]

PLAN OBJECTIVES
1. First step towards Regional Goal of 23% transit modal split by 2031
2. Take Metro Transit to next level – more direct, more frequent services
3. Increase transit service levels by 24%
4. Increase ridership 18%; net cost increase +32% - over 5 years
5. Identify new strategies/sources for sustainable transit funding

PLAN PRINCIPLES
• Respond to Regional Transportation & community planning goals
• Increase System Capacity -> more buses, more service
• Improve Reliability & Quality of Experience – reduced travel times, increased customer amenities
• Expand Service to New Areas
• Support Community Mobility Objectives
• Increase Visibility of Transit

SERVICE ENHANCEMENT
To new growth areas
– Bedford, Sherwood Park, Woodside, Eastern Passage Portland and East Woodlawn, Russell Lake West

Better serve satellite employment centres
– Burnside, Ragged Lake employment centres

Enhance community circulator systems
– Halifax South End, Bedford, Sherwood Park, Dartmouth East End

Increase service levels in key corridors
– Bayers, Robie, Bell/Summer, Gottingen, Barrington, Portland

Introduce Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service on 1-Spring Garden route and on Portland/Cole Harbour corridor with services linked at Bridge Terminal
– BRT is high frequency service with transit priority measures and enhanced customer amenities and information features

Improve service to/from Burnside and Cole Harbour, Clayton Park, Bedford/Sackville

Upgrade Woodside ferry service to all day Monday to Saturday

Introduce more Urban Express routes

Introduce Rural Express service – Metro X
– From Tantallon Park and Ride to Scotia Square using #103 freeway

TRANSIT PRIORITY MEASURES
Key to reducing transit travel times
Greater emphasis on transit priority required
Wide range of measures can be used to shift priority to transit in support of faster travel time and increased reliability of service. Includes:
– Bus-Only Lanes
– Transit Only Roadway
– Transit Signals
– Queue Jumpers
– By-Pass Lanes
– Priority Turn Lanes
– Yield to Bus Legislation

HRM ON THE MOVE
With proposed service improvements the daily transit mode share in Halifax region is expected to increase from 12% to 14%
– Puts Halifax Region in league with Greater Vancouver

A higher mode share in the Halifax Region will:
– reduce greenhouse gas emissions & decrease the environmental footprint of growth
– contribute to the region’s attractiveness in terms of livability & economic development
– increase the quality and overall choice of mobility of all residents

[Halifax Hillbilly]

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

The GPS functionality is, as I know for a fact the transit control centre has the ability to track the location of buses using GPS - however I don't think they've quite got it to work yet with the public side of the system, as every time I've ever called or looked up a departure time on one of the monitors, it always gives scheduled times not actual times.

Fairly embarassing, I'm pretty sure that GoTime update was supposed to be ready fall 2007. Has the new GPS improved Metro Transit's ability to get buses to the stops on time?

[Halifax Hillbilly]

Fast ferries aren't in any part of that Metro Transit presentation. Are they moving down the priority list really fast?

Some interesting stuff in the 2010-2014 priority list, although I still don't think enough attention is being paid to customer service, ammenities, user-friendliness, etc. These kind of things shouldn't be looked at as "perks" or "luxuries" but rather the type of thing that people expect in transportation. The Link from Portland isn't all that much faster but the ridership sure surged - part of that is how the product is packaged and marketed. Metro Transit can do it, they just need to do it more consistently.

If you look at the projections it will cost 32% more to run the system, but ridership is only going to increase 18%. Considering the system is going to be expanding into rural/low denisty suburban areas that isn't surprising but those numbers should make council reconsider how fast and how much they push transit in areas that weren't really built for it and might not have the density to support. I'm the last person to argue transit should make money but this seems like a questionable use of resources.

Finally, I don't think there is any plan to really improve services to the hospitals. There are thousands of people working within a couple of blocks of University Avenue - it should definetly have Link service. I like the idea of the downtown shuttle but transferring adds time and complexity to a trip and IMO University Avenue is a very important and underserviced employment hub. The Link is a success downtown, it would also be successful at the hospitals/Dal.

[someone123]

Transit planning in Halifax seems dominated by politics rather than cost/benefit analysis.

Halifax service levels are not going to be in the same league as those of Vancouver, which has two SkyTrain lines and a subway line to the airport that will open next month.

How would the GPS system work? Could you text to get bus times for a given stop? That's currently supported here in Vancouver.

It seems pretty obvious that not everybody is enthusiastic about the fast ferry project, although I thought it already got some funding? Again this appears to be a symptom of a lack of leadership; rather than pushing things through quickly, the HRM tends to keep an excessive number of plans on the table without committing to anything in particular.

[Wishblade]

I've heard that Go Time is going to use the GPS system starting next month.

And I believe the service for phoning in will be the same as it is now, but rather just give the current location of the bus, and the expected time of arrival based on that location.

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by someone123

How would the GPS system work? Could you text to get bus times for a given stop? That's currently supported here in Vancouver.

It seems pretty obvious that not everybody is enthusiastic about the fast ferry project, although I thought it already got some funding? Again this appears to be a symptom of a lack of leadership; rather than pushing things through quickly, the HRM tends to keep an excessive number of plans on the table without committing to anything in particular.

The GPS works by tracking the buses and using their speed to determine how long until they arrived. You call instead of text and an automated speaker says how long for the next two buses.

The ferry doesn't have money set aside yet that can only go towards it but HRM has spent millions on research and it shouldn't cancel it because councillors in other waterfront communities don't have the service yet. Logically Bedford is the best choice becuase of proximity, commutes, and the large population base.

[hfx_chris]

Originally Posted by Halifax Hillbilly

Fairly embarassing, I'm pretty sure that GoTime update was supposed to be ready fall 2007. Has the new GPS improved Metro Transit's ability to get buses to the stops on time?

I would hazard a yes guess. The previous generation GoTime system told drivers how far behind or ahead of schedule they were, but the new system is a lot more in your face and noticable for the driver.
I've also heard rumours that HRM is thinking about bringing automated next-stop announcements onto the buses, which is "neat" but I would hardly call it a priority. Maybe for blind people though.

[pnightingale]

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

I've also heard rumours that HRM is thinking about bringing automated next-stop announcements onto the buses, which is "neat" but I would hardly call it a priority. Maybe for blind people though.

There was a lawsuit last year, I think in Toronto, because drivers were not announcing stops on bus routes. The court ruled that the drivers had to announce all stops, to make service more accessible to the blind. Problem is, most of the drivers just didn't do it, so the court said they had to implement automated stop announcements. I would suspect that this is why Metro Transit would be implementing automated stop announcements, because it's only a matter of time before they are required to do it.

[Halifax Hillbilly]

Originally Posted by hfx_chris

I would hazard a yes guess. The previous generation GoTime system told drivers how far behind or ahead of schedule they were, but the new system is a lot more in your face and noticable for the driver.
I've also heard rumours that HRM is thinking about bringing automated next-stop announcements onto the buses, which is "neat" but I would hardly call it a priority. Maybe for blind people though.

Maybe not a priority for regular users but like others pointed out a big issue for the blind. If I was a casual user or new to the city maybe stop announcements would be very helpful, hard to say though.

[Halifax Hillbilly]

Originally Posted by someone123

Transit planning in Halifax seems dominated by politics rather than cost/benefit analysis.

Probably the same in most cities, just a difference in degrees. The newest subway expansion in Montreal went off-island to suburban Montreal despite some pretty large areas of dense urban neighbourhoods being underserved. Similar situation in Toronto where the next subway expansions will be to Vaughn or York University.

The problem is a lot of the new rural services in HRM are easy to roll out but could be tough to cut/eliminate if they have poor ridership but aren't a total flop.

[Dmajackson]

Ragged Lake Transit Event - July 31, 2009

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Thursday, July 30, 2009 - The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defense and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, the Honourable Ramona Jennex, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, along with his worship, Peter Kelly, Mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality, will make an important infrastructure announcement for Halifax.


Date: Friday, July 31, 2009

Time: Rescheduled to 1 pm - 2 pm (rain or shine)

Location: Top of Ragged Lake Blvd. (through construction gates),
Ragged Lake Industrial Park, Halifax

Site tour will be available for individuals with hard hats and steel-toed boots following the ceremony.

[Dmajackson]

Introducing MetroX Commuter Transit Service to Tantallon!

Our new MetroX service, designed with the weekday commuter in mind, will bring express transit to Park & Ride lots along 100-series highways within HRM, beginning with service to Tantallon in September, 2009.

The MetroX buses are different than standard city buses; specifically built and designed with individual reclining seats and air conditioning. One wheelchair can be accommodated by a lift at the rear of the bus.

While MetroX provides its passengers with a worry-free and comfortable commute downtown, MetroX is also a great way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Riding your bike to the MetroX station can be an option as well. Each MetroX station will feature bike racks and lockers, with bike lanes available near of each station. Every MetroX bus will also be equipped with a bike rack.

Service begins on Monday, August 31, 2009!

•Providing one-way service inbound, beginning at 5:58 am, with 30 minute frequency until 8:03 am, to Downtown Halifax on Abermarle Street (formerly Market Street); with easy access to Scotia Square.

•Three two-directional afternoon trips beginning at 12:30 pm, 2 pm and 3:25 pm from Hubley Centre to downtown.

•Peak afternoon one-way service begins at Scotia Square at 4:15 pm, with 30 minute service outbound until 6:50 pm.

A Cost Effective Way to Travel!



MetroX fares reflect the premium service, with direct, limited-stop service to the downtown core.



Cash Fares

•Adult $3.25
•Child/Senior $2.50
•Student $3.25
Monthly Pass

•Adult $100
•Additional fare required with MetroPass, Upass or transfer $1
•Additional fare with MetroLink passes or transfers $0.50
MetroX passes are on sale at the following locations beginning August 20, 2009:

•Sobey’s Customer Service at Hubley Centre, Upper Tantallon
•Lawton’s Drug at Scotia Square
•Shopper’s Drug Mart at Spring Garden Road
For specific schedule information, please refer to page 83 of the Riders’ Guide, visit www.halifax.ca/metrotransit or call the HRM Call Centre at 490-4000.

[hfx_chris]

The MetroX buses are different than standard city buses...

Stupid

...30 minute frequency...

Stupid

...to Downtown Halifax on Abermarle Street (formerly Market Street)

Stupid, although understandable

[Dmajackson]

CANADA-NOVA SCOTIA GOVERNMENTS SUPPORT
IMPROVED TRANSIT SERVICE IN HALIFAX

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Friday, July 31, 2009 - The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, and the Member of Parliament for Central Nova, the Honourable Ramona Jennex, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, along with his worship, Peter Kelly, Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), gathered today to celebrate the official ground breaking ceremony for the new Ragged Lake Transit Centre in Ragged Lake Industrial Park. Minister MacKay was also pleased to announce the Government of Canada’s contribution of $16.6 million to the project.

“The Government of Canada, under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, understands that public transit plays an important role in strengthening the economy and contributing to a healthier, more sustainable environment,” said Minister MacKay. “For Halifax, this means increased transit services that will create jobs and improve the daily commute for residents and their families.”

“This facility will allow for future growth to meet the ongoing transit needs of HRM. It will also translate into more jobs and lifestyle choices for citizens, and represents another step in building a greener future for all," said Minister Jennex.

“We are pleased to finally break ground and begin construction on a new $28 million transit operations and maintenance facility,” said Mayor Kelly. “The building of this new transit centre will provide the key ingredient necessary in allowing HRM to move forward to expand our regional Metro Transit bus service. Infrastructure development is a priority for the Municipality as it has far reaching benefits for residents in our community.”

The new Ragged Lake Transit Centre is scheduled for completion by May 2010 and will complement the existing Metro Transit facility and a smaller garage, both located in Burnside Industrial Park, Dartmouth, which have currently reached capacity with over 280 buses.

Upon completion, the new Centre will allow for the operation of an additional 150 buses, with space ultimately for another 50 transit vehicles. The new Transit Centre will also help to cut down on operational costs, which presently must be incurred by running out? of?service buses back and forth across the harbour bridges. This will cut down on commuter traffic and result in less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

When completed, this 176,000 square?foot complex on a16-acre site will feature two buildings: a 119,990 square-foot Operations Centre; and a 55,920 square foot Service Centre for bus maintenance.

Supporting public transit is a priority for the Government of Canada. Investments like this will stimulate the economy, create jobs and provide long-term community benefits. Above and beyond today’s announcement, Canada’s 2009 Economic Action Plan is accelerating and expanding the existing federal investment of $33 billion in infrastructure across Canada with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over the next two years

[gm_scott]

Could someone outline the differences between MetroX and the link?

[spaustin]

Originally Posted by gm_scott

Could someone outline the differences between MetroX and the link?

Could be wrong but my guess is MetroX is the name for the new rural commuter bus system that Metro Transit is working on... All well and fine, but I would have liked to have seen Clayton Park and Spryfield get a MetroLink routes before running off to serve the more farflung portions of the municipality... of course under the new tax rules, adding bus service where previously there was none brings new funds for Metro Transit so maybe that's part of it.

[DigitalNinja]

Metro X short stubby busses that they will have to upgrade in a year due to increased ridership.

Metrolink big busses with ignorant bus drivers.

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by DigitalNinja

Metro X short stubby busses that they will have to upgrade in a year due to increased ridership.

Metrolink big busses with ignorant bus drivers.

How are the Link drivers ignorant?