[St. John's] Transport development (Highways, Airport, and Public Transit)

[J_Murphy]

Originally Posted by Marty_Mcfly

I can't take anything that Metrobus does as serious. They really have no idea how to market themselves properly. Metrobus is probably unfixable as it is, which is all the more reason for its dissolution, followed by its replacement by NEAR Transit

It's not good for business when you are referred to as some as the "loser cruiser".

[AnUrbanLife]

Hey guys, Love the NEAR transit idea. The Metrobus brand may be stigmatized beyond redemption so a change would probably help alot so long as improvement followed.

Something you may or may not be aware of is that St. John's CMA is the only major Canadian Metro that doesn't receive any provincial funding for public transit.

I've sent in letters of support for the province to step up and make a commitment to public transit and I would encourage everyone who would like to see serious improvements do so also.

The minister of transportation and works is the one to lobby. His name is Paul A. Davis. Here is the link with contact info: http://www.tw.gov.nl.ca/

Cheers.

[PoscStudent]

Originally Posted by jeddy1989

yeah That's probably not going to happen, but I'm sure a new council can lobby them to make major changes and seeing how they provide a subsidy, they probably have a lot of clout if they want to

Metrobus is kind of a weird set up being owned (I believe) and subsidized by the city but controlled in a corporate structure with a CEO etc. WHICH DOES say no to council's suggestions.

As I mentioned before we could come up with a set of questions as group for candidates and send it off to them.

For example: Would you be supportive of rebranding Metrobus and lobbying to expand transit into neighbouring communities?

[Townie709]

Edited out my foolish comment. Now you shall all never know of the depths of my stupidity.

#evillaugh

[jeddy1989]

The city does kind of operate it ..

Metrobus Transit was established in 1958, and is operated by the St. John's Transportation Commission, a board consisting of six members from various areas of the region.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrobus_Transit

and the company is managed by a general manager .. therefore Council needs to start putting the pressure on the transportation commission .. and I know that there is at least one Councillor on the board (councilor Hann)

So, time to make this a priority and fix it .. it will solve so many problems (of which will ease many woes such as traffic and parking)

We need to look at the structure of Metrobus as an organization and look at other transit authorities... maybe even have a look at what private for profit transit organizations are like as an option or really dig deep and figure this out

[mrjanejacobs]

Originally Posted by PoscStudent

As I mentioned before we could come up with a set of questions as group for candidates and send it off to them.

For example: Would you be supportive of rebranding Metrobus and lobbying to expand transit into neighbouring communities?

Despite being a huge fan of the acronym - this logo isn't working for me.

Recap the current logo:



Stars? Really? Are these public transit buses or the magic school bus?

AND the slogan? Worse. slogan. ever.

[Architype]

^ Get on, Be moved?
Maybe they are putting toilets on there?

[Townie709]

"Get on. Be moved."

1st observation: Well.. sounds rather harsh. I can imagine an overweight, gruff-looking, angry bus driver using that phrase to welcome people onto the bus as the doors open. I cannot imagine those words spoken kindly. It just sounds rude and demanding; like you have no say in where you're going to end up haha. It also makes it sound like their passengers are a burden to them. There's just no enthusiasm behind that phrase. Way to put it bluntly, metrobus.. Why not change it to "Sit down, shut up and pay your dues." It would be just about as effective as their current slogan!

2nd observation: No s*it, sherlock! It's a bus. I would hope if I get on it moves. That's kinda the whole concept of a bus.

[jeddy1989]

hahahaha now you're all just making fun of Metrobus

[mrjanejacobs]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=51HbmuKhRbk

• Video Link

[jeddy1989]

Wow!!!

[BigRedSpecial]

Nice! I've always said we need a Maglev between town and Central hahaha... this would be even better

[Trevor3]

Originally Posted by Townie709

"Get on. Be moved."

1st observation: Well.. sounds rather harsh. I can imagine an overweight, gruff-looking, angry bus driver using that phrase to welcome people onto the bus as the doors open. I cannot imagine those words spoken kindly. It just sounds rude and demanding; like you have no say in where you're going to end up haha. It also makes it sound like their passengers are a burden to them. There's just no enthusiasm behind that phrase. Way to put it bluntly, metrobus.. Why not change it to "Sit down, shut up and pay your dues." It would be just about as effective as their current slogan!

2nd observation: No s*it, sherlock! It's a bus. I would hope if I get on it moves. That's kinda the whole concept of a bus.

They could always add to it and make it a better reflection of what happens:

Get on. Be Moved. Get Off. Don't Come Back.

And second thought, maybe that's a better reflection of Corner Brook's bus service.

[Marty_Mcfly]

wow I can't imagine the amount of liquid nitrogen that would be required for that rail system to work. BUT IT'D BE AMAZING.

Edit: wait....is this even a rail-based transport? Or is it a pressure thing?

[AllBlack]

I noticed exposed rail lines beheath a thin layer of missing ashphalt on Water Street West today, east and west of Leslie Street. I knew the downtown tram lines had been simply paved over, didn't know they were still there in the west end.

[jjavman]

Originally Posted by AllBlack

I noticed exposed rail lines beheath a thin layer of missing ashphalt on Water Street West today, east and west of Leslie Street. I knew the downtown tram lines had been simply paved over, didn't know they were still there in the west end.

hmmm....wonder if they could still be used?

[mrjanejacobs]

Originally Posted by jjavman

hmmm....wonder if they could still be used?

haha nope. Jeddy (I think) actually posted pictures of many of these exposed rails a while ago. There are many such exposed rail in the west end of Downtown and around the industrial harbour area toward the pitts overpass.

[AllBlack]

We know there are exposed rail lines around the industrial area down there, that remain from the old rail yard days. My point, or rather observation, was that a little piece of (up til now hidden) local public transit history had revealed itself when a section of Water Street West fell apart this week.

[mrjanejacobs]

They are not newly exposed. At least, there have been exposed tracks on Water for a while. Needless to say, they are not usable.

[Townie709]

The St. John's International Airport Authority says its plans to expand the terminal building may be put on the back burner thanks to the nine-month maintenance workers' strike. Workers have been off the job since last September, seeking a new collective agreement that includes wage parity with workers at Halifax airport. A recent attempt at talks failed to result in any progress. Authority spokesman Keith Collins says while some capital works projects are continuing, the larger projects, like the terminal expansion, will have to be reassessed.

He says it will be the largest project the airport has ever undertaken, and it will be difficult for them to manage the project while managing day-to-day operations.

Union spokesman Chris Bussey says it's the Airport Authority that walked away from talks on Tuesday. He says the two sides were quite close, and despite Collins' assertion that the union wants to prolong the strike, he says it's the Authority which doesn't want to resolve the dispute.

http://www.vocm.com/newsarticle.asp?mn=2&ID=35467


Stupid selfish employees..