The Great Canadian Transit Thread

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by d_jeffrey

There is a concensus among the public opinon and the media that the pink line is a great idea and would help the city. The federal government gave its support to it today. The Quebec Premier is not that hot at the idea. Plante said people voted for her for that line, so Quebec must participate in the projet.

To be clear, the REM is a metro, it has the same doors, speed and equipment as a metro. The reason why the pink line is more of a REM, is because it would be a steel-wheel based metro line with automatic trains and platform doors. That's what the REM is. The section West of downtown is also running outdoors. Plante says metro, REM, whichever is fine. It's the line that's important. She will present the project to CDPQi which is building the REM.

If that's the case, I would question the use of urban metro rolling stock on the REM which is proposed as a mainly suburban system. Wouldn't be too bad for the South Shore, bu seems like a hard sell for suburban passengers traveling all the way to/from the West Island to not only forgo the comfort of their cars, but even the comfort level of a commuter train.

[swimmer_spe]

Originally Posted by Acajack

It's pretty clear the DRL is more needed in Toronto (and the most sorely needed transit project in all of Canada, probably), but that's up to the people in Toronto to resolve themselves.

If Smartrack was built, that would be an interim solution.

[GreaterMontréal]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

If that's the case, I would question the use of urban metro rolling stock on the REM which is proposed as a mainly suburban system. Wouldn't be too bad for the South Shore, bu seems like a hard sell for suburban passengers traveling all the way to/from the West Island to not only forgo the comfort of their cars, but even the comfort level of a commuter train.

you don't build a system like the REM for the 1st generation users, but for the next generations. the 2nd and 3rd will not care about the comfort as much as the 40yo crowd who never use rapid transit. the comfort should be better than that of the Métro anyways.

[WhipperSnapper]

He's talking about the rolling stock which likely won't last to the 2nd and 3rd generation. Regardless, there would be push back should you initially introduce comfort to encourage new ridership (among the car lovers) and then purchase high capacity metro cars for the next generation.

[p_xavier]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

If that's the case, I would question the use of urban metro rolling stock on the REM which is proposed as a mainly suburban system. Wouldn't be too bad for the South Shore, bu seems like a hard sell for suburban passengers traveling all the way to/from the West Island to not only forgo the comfort of their cars, but even the comfort level of a commuter train.

The travelling time is about the same from Laval to DT on the orange line than further terminal stations on the REM.

[1overcosc]

Toronto is buying electric buses.

TTC plans to buy first electric buses, targets emissions-free fleet by 2040

For the first time in its history the TTC is planning to buy buses powered exclusively by on-board electric batteries, marking an important step forward for the transit agency’s plans to green its fleet by 2040.

A report going before the TTC’s board on Monday recommends purchasing 30 so-called “battery electric buses” by 2019, which would position the agency at the forefront of introducing the emissions-free vehicles into regular service in Canada.

Bem Case, head of vehicle programs for the TTC, said as the country’s largest municipal transit agency, “we see that we should be taking more of a leadership role in the introduction of new technology.”

The initial electric bus purchase, which would cost up to $50 million, is “not a test,” Case said.

“It’s the first step in the adoption of this technology … We’re buying these buses, so we’re committed to making them work.”

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transpo...argets-emissions-free-fleet-by-2040.html

[nephersir7]

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

Toronto is buying electric buses.

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transpo...argets-emissions-free-fleet-by-2040.html

Forefront? They're just following Montreal's lead.

http://www.stm.info/en/press/press-relea...-pace-and-looks-to-buy-40-electric-buses

[TownGuy]

Do you want a cookie or something?

[SkahHigh]

Originally Posted by TownGuy

Do you want a cookie or something?

He was just pointing out a mistake in the article. No need to get salty.

[swimmer_spe]

I was thinking about all the projects under construction.

Confederation Line
Eglington Crosstown Line
Toronto–York Spadina Subway Extension
Ion LRT
Valley Line

Is there any I missed?

[SkahHigh]

Originally Posted by swimmer_spe

I was thinking about all the projects under construction.

Confederation Line
Eglington Crosstown Line
Toronto–York Spadina Subway Extension
Ion LRT
Valley Line

Is there any I missed?

That’s it. REM coming in the next 2-3 months.

[GeneralLea]

Originally Posted by swimmer_spe

I was thinking about all the projects under construction.

Confederation Line
Eglington Crosstown Line
Toronto–York Spadina Subway Extension
Ion LRT
Valley Line

Is there any I missed?

It's Eglinton but I understand the error made...

Mississauga's Hurontario line will be starting construction in a few months so I think you're fine. The Finch West "LRT" will be starting later, perhaps 2019 if that's even correct. I'm pretty sure it'll still be a year or so.....they may be in RFP atm.

[SkahHigh]

Originally Posted by GeneralLeeTPHLS

It's Eglinton but I understand the error made...

Mississauga's Hurontario line will be starting construction in a few months so I think you're fine. The Finch West "LRT" will be starting later, perhaps 2019 if that's even correct. I'm pretty sure it'll still be a year or so.....they may be in RFP atm.

Wasn’t Finch West supposed to be U/C this year?

[nephersir7]

The announcement for the awarding of REM contracts has been postponed from today to an undetermined date

REM contracts will be awarded by year's end, Caisse says

Quebec’s Caisse de dépôt says it still expects to award contracts before the end of the year to companies that will build its $6-billion electric train.

According to a report in Friday’s Journal de Montréal, Friday was the day that the five consortiums running to build or provide the rolling stock for the project were to hear which would be chosen by CDPQ Infra, the Caisse’s infrastructure division.

Jean-Vincent Lacroix, a spokesperson for CDPQ Infra, said Friday the process is on course, and the Caisse is taking the necessary time and using the rigour required for a project of this size.

“As we have said in the past, we still intend to announce the results of the tender process later this year, once this work has been completed,” Lacroix said in an email.

CDPQ Infra said it still expects to complete the project by 2020.

He said construction should start very shortly after the contract is awarded. However, he could not give details about the date when the contracts would be awarded.

http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-ne...tenders-on-electric-train-project-report

[p_xavier]

Originally Posted by nephersir7

The announcement for the awarding of REM contracts has been postponed from today to an undetermined date



http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-ne...tenders-on-electric-train-project-report

Well good news that they don't expect any delays.

[Doady]

If Toronto wants to reduce emissions, it should invest more in rail. Buy more streetcars, build more LRT, build the DRL, finish the Sheppard subway. Reduce its reliance on buses and get people out of their cars. Electric buses are a waste of money.

[1overcosc]

Originally Posted by Doady

If Toronto wants to reduce emissions, it should invest more in rail. Buy more streetcars, build more LRT, build the DRL, finish the Sheppard subway. Reduce its reliance on buses and get people out of their cars. Electric buses are a waste of money.

Given that electric buses have lower energy costs and lower maintenance costs than diesels, the higher capital cost is likely offset and thus the net cost to the city is comparable.

[mistercorporate]

Originally Posted by Doady

If Toronto wants to reduce emissions, it should invest more in rail. Buy more streetcars, build more LRT, build the DRL, finish the Sheppard subway. Reduce its reliance on buses and get people out of their cars. Electric buses are a waste of money.

Toronto needs to do everything, and it is investing heavily in rail (via the Provincial budget). Also, given Ontario's stringent vehicle emission standards, diesel buses are a major remaining source of pollution.

[GeneralLea]

Here's some photos I took of the Eglinton Station construction right at Yonge and Eglinton today:
[IMG]TJ126123 by Josh Kenn Photographics, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]TJ126121 by Josh Kenn Photographics, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]TJ126144 by Josh Kenn Photographics, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]TJ126136 by Josh Kenn Photographics, on Flickr[/IMG]

[The Chemist]

Originally Posted by Doady

If Toronto wants to reduce emissions, it should invest more in rail. Buy more streetcars, build more LRT, build the DRL, finish the Sheppard subway. Reduce its reliance on buses and get people out of their cars. Electric buses are a waste of money.

Even in cities with enormous subway networks (Shanghai and Beijing, for instance) buses remain a vital part of any public transportation network. And it's entirely possible to make them electric just like the rails. In Beijing and Shanghai at least 1/3 of the bus fleet is already electric. The city of Shenzhen has announced that ALL of its bus fleet will be electric by 2020. What's wasteful about tackling a major source of urban air pollution? Not to mention that in my experience electric buses are also more comfortable to ride than diesel buses anyway, given their smoother acceleration and quieter interior.