The future of Hamilton's public transit

[Dr Awesomesauce]

^Cool.

[SteelTown]

Yes, please! We badly need an independent transit commission.

Election Notebook: New faces, new races and LRTs

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/4751606-election-notebook-new-faces-new-races-and-lrts/

It's easy to let the loud LRT debate drown out other worthwhile transit conversations leading up to the October election.

Two-way traffic conversions. Ancient HSR bus routes. The fate of the city's disabled transit service. All of those issues represent political hot potatoes.

So perhaps it's not surprising to see some residents and candidates publicly test-driving the notion of reintroducing an arms-length transit commission.

Ward 1 candidate Jason Allen publicly mused online about the notion following the publication of a Raise the Hammer opinion piece by a frustrated resident about on-then-off HSR route changes for Dundurn Street and the Strathcona neighbourhood.

"I can't say that I've made my mind up on it yet, but I'm certainly hearing from people that there is too much politicization of some of these (HSR route) decisions," Allen said.

"It's certainly a discussion worth having, anyway."

It's also an oft-recycled idea. The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce called for an independent transit commission in 2008 and again in the lead-up to the 2010 election, arguing the HSR was subject to "undue political influence."

At the time, the city argued a transit commission represented another costly layer of bureaucracy and noted only five such bodies remained in Ontario. The biggest, the Toronto Transit Commission, is governed entirely by councillors.

It will be interesting, however, to see if the idea gains electoral traction with the HSR in the midst of a leadership changed prompted by controversy over how the transit service has handled 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 harassment complaints.

[ScreamingViking]

It's also an oft-recycled idea. The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce called for an independent transit commission in 2008 and again in the lead-up to the 2010 election, arguing the HSR was subject to "undue political influence."

At the time, the city argued a transit commission represented another costly layer of bureaucracy and noted only five such bodies remained in Ontario. The biggest, the Toronto Transit Commission, is governed entirely by councillors.

It is an idea worth exploring.

There will always be a political influence, but unless they set up a commission that does NOT include city councillors (or perhaps just a couple at most) I don't think it would change much in the way the HSR is managed.

[LikeHamilton]

I didn't know where to put this, but figured this good as anywhere.

According to research by the University of Toronto, 22 per cent of all morning rush hour traffic is generated by parents driving their children to school.

Historical data bears this out: a generation ago 58 per cent of children walked to school, but today, that number has dropped to 28 per cent.

http://www.thestar.com/life/parent/2014/...repared_daughter_to_walk_alone_at_9.html

[mattgrande]

All I know is I pass two schools on my way to work, and I'm not looking forward to biking past either of them...

[thistleclub]

Supercrawl 2014 detours have been announced for routes Barton, 3 Cannon, 4 Bayfront, 6 Aberdeen, 7 Locke, 8 York and 9 Rock Gardens. Full details here.

Across the board, the following bus stops will be temporarily out of service during the festival's street closures (10am Fri Sept 12 — 1am Mon Sept 15):

• James Street at Barton Street (nearside, northwest corner)

• Barton Street at Hughson Street (nearside, northeast corner)

• James Street at Colborne Street (nearside, northwest corner)

• James Street opposite Robert Street (mid block, west side)

• James Street at Cannon Street (farside, southwest corner)

• James Street at York Blvd. (farside, southwest corner)

• James Street opp. Rebecca (midblock, west side)

• James Street opp. King William (mid block, west side)

• York Street at Bay Street (nearside, southwest corner)

• York Street opposite Park Street (mid block, south side)

• York Street opposite MacNab Street (mid block, south side)

• MacNab Street at York Street (farside, northeast corner)


Temporary bus stops will be placed at the following locations:

• John Street at Robert Street (nearside, northwest corner)

• Barton Street at James Street (nearside, southwest corner)

• John Street at Cannon Street (nearside, northwest corner)

• John Street at Wilson Street (nearside, northwest corner)

In addition, the bus stop for routes 2 and 3 on the west side of James, just south of King (farside bus stop) will be temporarily relocated further south (to the existing route 4, 8 bus stop) to minimize conflicts with the increased number of buses making the left hand turn from westbound King to southbound James.

[lucasmascotto]

Dedicated bus lane ‘devastating’ to King Street businesses
The Hamilton Spectator (Tuesday, September 30, 2014)
By: Lisa Marr

For Diego Almonte, opening a new location of his trendy women's clothing store, Me Boutique, in Jackson Square this month wasn't part of a grand plan to expand or change up his business.

It was survival.

A dedicated bus lane had a devastating effect on sales at his original location at 256 King St. W. (formerly called Metro) since it was installed a year ago.

"I've survived recessions, Mike Harris, days of protest, you name it," he said of his 20-year history. "I have customers who tried parking across the street and then risked their lives to cross the road and just said, 'we aren't coming back.'"

Last October, the city launched a one-year pilot project to convert one lane of King to transit-only. The far-right lane of King between Mary and Dundurn streets is now buses-only, except for vehicles turn right.

However, now the project — seen as a litmus test for a potential east-west light rail transit line — will continue at least until January.

City staff were instructed to report back to council about the impact of the bus lane at the end of the one-year trial; however, the municipal election and anticipated additional costs of dismantling the bus lane has triggered a delay.

Staff will consider information such as traffic flow, congestion and parking in its report. Christine Lee-Morrison, the city's manager of mobility and special projects, said staff would also consider all comments and submissions from the public and stakeholders, including those already received from businesses.

While city staff couldn't provide cost estimates for dismantling the bus lane, Ward 2 Coun. Jason Farr said it wouldn't be cheap.

Backers of the plan argue it had the potential to increase business for downtown merchants by slowing traffic, giving drivers a chance to look around and maybe discover a shop they didn't know existed.

Farr said "an overwhelming" majority of businesses he personally polled in the King Street West BIA area (bordered by Queen and Caroline streets) were initially in favour. A few months after the dedicated bus lanes were installed, however, he counted about a dozen "No More Bus Lane" signs in storefronts.

"I would not define it as a success," he said. "However, there were elements of it that were successful. We have much more efficiency in that stretch."

But Troy Thompson of G.W. Thompson Jeweller and Pawnbroker at 190 King St. E. said all it has done is cause congestion and consumer complaints.

"It's not working," said Thompson.

Provincial transit agency Metrolinx put $300,000 into the project, but Farr said the cost has increased during the year, due to unanticipated costs of repainting the lane markings after the harsh winter, as well as extra signage. He was not sure of the final amount, but he said the overall project, including improvements to Lines A and B, initially cost $1.7 million.

Barry Sobel, owner of Rainbow Bridal at 105 King St. E., which celebrates its 87th year in business Saturday, said it will be devastating to some businesses on the street to put up with another Christmas shopping season with the bus lane intact.

"That's incredible that they don't even think of that," Sobel said.

Trevor Rowan, owner of the skateboard and clothing shop Flat Spot said he was forced to move from where he was for seven years into Jackson Square. He relocated last February.

"The effect was immediate and devastating," he said. "It's so confusing for people to get around."

Alphons Guirgues, owner of La Galleria Canada, said he moved from King to Jackson Square this month because, while traffic was bad before the bus lanes moved in, it died completely after it.

"I feel sorry for the businesses left out there on the street," he said.

[interr0bangr]

Cry me a 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 river. I don't really have much of an opinion as I've never used HSR and pretty much never drive on King but I really don't understand how the bus lane hurts businesses. The argument is people can't see the businesses because they're an extra 5 feet away as they're speeding by? Seriously?

[Jon Dalton]

"I have customers who tried parking across the street and then risked their lives to cross the road and just said, 'we aren't coming back.'"

That sums it up pretty well. Why aren't people willing to cross the street to get to a store? Why do they think they're risking their lives?

One bus lane doesn't change the culture of driving entitlement that's been nurtured here for the last 60 years. It shouldn't matter if there's a bus lane and no net loss of parking spots, but apparently it does. People should adjust to the new, perceptively more difficult way, but they don't.

I guess the customers have no problem driving into Jackson Square, paying for parking, and walking through the mall to the same stores?

[ScreamingViking]

Staff will consider information such as traffic flow, congestion and parking in its report. Christine Lee-Morrison, the city's manager of mobility and special projects, said staff would also consider all comments and submissions from the public and stakeholders, including those already received from businesses.

...

Farr said "an overwhelming" majority of businesses he personally polled in the King Street West BIA area (bordered by Queen and Caroline streets) were initially in favour. A few months after the dedicated bus lanes were installed, however, he counted about a dozen "No More Bus Lane" signs in storefronts.

"I would not define it as a success," he said. "However, there were elements of it that were successful. We have much more efficiency in that stretch."

Let's hope the city is going to actively seek feedback, rather than simply relying on submitted commentary - which carries a risk that it will be dominated by complaints rather than compliments. And the blocks Farr "personally polled" only represent about 250m of the 2km length of the lane (though two of the quotes in that article come from King St. E so there are sure to be some negatives raised along other portions too)

There might be other design options available to consider as well, if a permanent bus lane is warranted. Could the curb lane be given over to parking again, with the bus lane moved into the second lane? Given that there isn't a constant stream of buses using the lane, it should make parking easier than it would otherwise be trying to pull into a spot from regular traffic (at the risk of holding up a bus occasionally)... it would also provide a buffer separating pedestrians from the street traffic. The bicycle use issue also requires analysis and discussion.

Re: culture adjustment, as the core intensifies traffic is going to become more of an issue bus lanes or not. People are going to have to get used to that, and accept that it's actually a good thing for the entire city and not just a headache for those trying to navigate through downtown. Density means a better consumer market for the retailers. And specialty retailers should be able to draw customers regardless of the street congestion - perhaps those that can't are not viable businesses to begin with?

[mattgrande]

I feel like this question may have already been asked, but I couldn't find it...

Why are we looking at putting LRT on King Street? Why not Main? Main Street is wider through all of downtown (always 5 lanes, rather than two through International Village), not to mention straighter. Is it just because there's already stuff on King, while Main is more barren?

[HillStreetBlues]

I think it’s been asked a lot, because it’s a good question. I personally think LRT would work best if going one way on Main and the opposing way on King. Main has a huge potential for redevelopment for very long stretches.

One thing I have yet to hear at all in the arguments about the bus lane is whether it makes bus service faster. The buses on the corridor carry the same amount of passengers as all of the cars do, so that should be the determining factor. I only catch the bus just west of the bus lane, and believe there has been some improvement on how close to schedule the buses run, but I’m willing to believe that I might be tricking myself. Anyway, data on how it has improved bus service is what is needed to decide whether to keep it.

[CaptainKirk]

Originally Posted by mattgrande

I feel like this question may have already been asked, but I couldn't find it...

Why are we looking at putting LRT on King Street? Why not Main? Main Street is wider through all of downtown (always 5 lanes, rather than two through International Village), not to mention straighter. Is it just because there's already stuff on King, while Main is more barren?

I think that may be the reason.

All the more reason to convert both king and Main to 2 way.

I don't think many people realize that both King and Main are only 1 way for less than half of their lengths, only a 6 km stretch. Converting to 2 way shouldn't slow down traffic that much, should it? Same number of lanes each way minus lanes for LRT taking up excess lane capacity, no?

[HillStreetBlues]

I’ve heard that conversion of Main and King to two way is unlikely in the near future because of the challenge of reconfiguring the 403 on- and off-ramps. I am in favour of making Main and King two way (like for many, they’re daily barriers to me), but if it’s unlikely, putting LRT on both will at least help calm them (so would a lot of other measures).

[movingtohamilton]

If there was a proposal to revert King and Main to 2-way, there would be riots in the streets. lol.

But realistically, this city is completely under the influence of the car. As Jon Dalton wrote about the bus lane:

"Why aren't people willing to cross the street to get to a store? Why do they think they're risking their lives?

One bus lane doesn't change the culture of driving entitlement that's been nurtured here for the last 60 years. It shouldn't matter if there's a bus lane and no net loss of parking spots, but apparently it does."

That entitlement is so powerful I think the LRT will not get done here.

[LikeHamilton]

Originally Posted by mattgrande

I feel like this question may have already been asked, but I couldn't find it...

Why are we looking at putting LRT on King Street? Why not Main? Main Street is wider through all of downtown (always 5 lanes, rather than two through International Village), not to mention straighter. Is it just because there's already stuff on King, while Main is more barren?

I asked this question of staff at the public meetings for LRT and they gave some very technical answers. But basically it is easier for staff to design a straight line down King Street then move it around. In my submissions for this I had a few different routes including two way LRT on Main and leaving it one way to make up for the loss of 2 lanes for cars. They gave all kinds of reason this could not be done including it would scare drivers. I got this idea from my visit to Vienna as they have a main street that is one way that has LRT on one side with the traffic and LRT on the other side against the traffic; all with curbs too separate the cars.

After watching a lot of video’s on LRT from around the world, I noticed that LRT can go around sharp curves. With this in mind I proposed a route that would go by the MacNab Terminal, up James to Hunter, by the GO Centre and back down John to Main.

At the 403 I would go over to McMaster Innovation Park starting at Dundurn with a station at MIP coming back across the 403 at Longwood at Sterling Honda. Since they have moved, this would make a great place for a transit node as 2 or 3 bus routes go by there and people could transfer at a covered station.

I had a whole bunch of ideas that they choose to ignore. They took the easiest route and maybe not the best.

[movingtohamilton]

I've been on LRT in cities in Spain. Almost no straight lines on their routes in these old city centers.

[oldcoote]

Originally Posted by movingtohamilton

If there was a proposal to revert King and Main to 2-way, there would be riots in the streets. lol.

But realistically, this city is completely under the influence of the car. As Jon Dalton wrote about the bus lane:

"Why aren't people willing to cross the street to get to a store? Why do they think they're risking their lives?

One bus lane doesn't change the culture of driving entitlement that's been nurtured here for the last 60 years. It shouldn't matter if there's a bus lane and no net loss of parking spots, but apparently it does."

That entitlement is so powerful I think the LRT will not get done here.

The sad truth.

Although I do feel for those businesses that lost their parking lane buffer to a bus lane.

The only thing that would save King West is a conversion to 2-way.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

@LikeHamilton

Do you have a map of your route? Post it, if you do. Sounds interesting.

I do favour a relatively straight route, however, whether that be Main or King (Main does make more sense to me, it must be said).

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by HillStreetBlues

One thing I have yet to hear at all in the arguments about the bus lane is whether it makes bus service faster. The buses on the corridor carry the same amount of passengers as all of the cars do, so that should be the determining factor.

Transit travel time and schedule reliability are critical elements the city must examine closely and weigh against all the other issues, including impacts on auto traffic.

The lane also affords more opportunity to improve bus frequency (which I don't think they did during this trial) and that's something that should be considered.

I think it's still going to end up being a political decision whether to keep or [gasp!] extend the lane, unfortunately.