GO/VIA Transit

[drpgq]

From the above article:

"direct stair access from the platform to Centennial Parkway and six elevators."

I'm confused about why we need such overkill for these stations. Sure some elevators are required for disability requirements but six? I spend a lot of time for work in Dresden and there's S-Bahn stops that service way, way more people daily than this stop ever will in 100 years and they are considerably more spartan but still perfectly functional.

[mishap]

Originally Posted by drpgq

From the above article:

"direct stair access from the platform to Centennial Parkway and six elevators."

I'm confused about why we need such overkill for these stations.

Given the backlog of elevator repair jobs in this city (province?), you probably need six to make sure one is working at any time.

[thistleclub]

Metrolinx to test Wi-Fi on GO Transit trains and buses this spring
(Toronto Star, Ben Spurr, Feb 21 2018)

GO Transit riders’ commutes are about to improve, as Metrolinx announced it will begin testing Wi-Fi on its vehicles this spring.

At a press conference at Union Station Wednesday, Transportation Minister Kathryn McGarry and Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster said that Wi-Fi will be installed on two GO trains and four buses in April in order to gauge service quality and solicit feedback from customers.

Metrolinx, the Crown corporation that operates GO, intends to eventually deploy Wi-Fi across its train and bus fleet. The test period will last at least two months and cost $1.5 million. Verster said most of the cost will be for equipping the vehicles with Wi-Fi hardware.

“We know people want to use Wi-Fi services when they travel,” said McGarry, who noted that free Wi-Fi on the Union Pearson Express is extremely popular with riders.

“Access to the internet is a vital part of our daily lives. Testing Wi-Fi provides the opportunity to ensure connectivity and quality service is provided, as we know that’s what our customers expect and deserve.”

Wi-Fi service is already installed at a majority of GO stations.

During the test phase, two different providers will operate Wi-Fi on one train and two buses each, after which Metrolinx will select a provider.

The test trains won’t run on any particular routes, but the Wi-Fi-enabled buses will be deployed on routes more heavily used by students, according to Metrolinx. All of the Wi-Fi-enabled vehicles will be marked on the outside.

Read it in full here.

[thistleclub]

Mission creep…

Commuters can soon order groceries online and pick them up at GO stations
(Toronto Star, Francine Kopun, Feb 26 2018)

Loblaws and Metrolinx are about to change the definition of food on-the-go.

Beginning this spring, Canada’s largest retailer will allow commuters to order groceries online and pick them up at five GO Transit stations: Bronte, Oakville, Rouge Hill, Whitby and Clarkson.

Orders placed by midnight will be filled for next-day, homebound pick-up.

“Commuting is a big part of everybody’s lives,” said Jeremy Pee, senior vice-president, e-commerce, Loblaw Cos. Ltd.

“It seems to fit what people are thinking of on their way home from work: getting groceries and preparing a meal.”

Pee said the new service is a natural extension of the grocer’s click-and-collect service, which allows people to shop online and pick-up in store, for a fee of between $3 and $5.

Read it in full here.

[lachlanholmes]

Originally Posted by thistleclub

Mission creep…

Commuters can soon order groceries online and pick them up at GO stations
(Toronto Star, Francine Kopun, Feb 26 2018)

Loblaws and Metrolinx are about to change the definition of food on-the-go.

Beginning this spring, Canada’s largest retailer will allow commuters to order groceries online and pick them up at five GO Transit stations: Bronte, Oakville, Rouge Hill, Whitby and Clarkson.

Orders placed by midnight will be filled for next-day, homebound pick-up.

“Commuting is a big part of everybody’s lives,” said Jeremy Pee, senior vice-president, e-commerce, Loblaw Cos. Ltd.

“It seems to fit what people are thinking of on their way home from work: getting groceries and preparing a meal.”

Pee said the new service is a natural extension of the grocer’s click-and-collect service, which allows people to shop online and pick-up in store, for a fee of between $3 and $5.

Read it in full here.

>Loblaws

What a sad state that our public transit agency is working with a crooked corp like Loblaws.

[ZaidTrade]

So how many more trains are coming to Hamilton from this expanded GO service that just got announced? I'm only reading increased day service from Union to Oakville on west lakeshore line.

[lachlanholmes]

I asked Metrolinx spokeswoman Anne-Marie Aikins on twitter, they're still working with CN to increase GO trips, but have no news right now.

[drpgq]

Originally Posted by HamiltonForward

I asked Metrolinx spokeswoman Anne-Marie Aikins on twitter, they're still working with CN to increase GO trips, but have no news right now.

How long have they been saying this? Doesn't seem like we get anywhere. Also I realize all day service is difficult with CN, but couldn't they negotiate for a couple more morning and evening trains in the interim?

[movingtohamilton]

Originally Posted by ZaidTrade

So how many more trains are coming to Hamilton from this expanded GO service that just got announced?...

This many -> 0.

[matt602]

Originally Posted by drpgq

How long have they been saying this? Doesn't seem like we get anywhere. Also I realize all day service is difficult with CN, but couldn't they negotiate for a couple more morning and evening trains in the interim?

Over a decade now. Obviously there's been some backroom shenanigans that we haven't been told about. Just look at how GO service has exploded across the rest of the rail system while that little tiny stub to Hamilton has somehow stagnated and dragged on in "negotiations". What really pisses me off is that GO never bothered to connect the West Harbour station up to the mainline properly so that the Niagara Seasonal train service can stop there. It's pathetic to see a train shoot right past a station without a way to stop into it.

[ZaidTrade]

Originally Posted by movingtohamilton

This many -> 0.

so what did global news and the PCs mean by this article?
"TORONTO – The Ontario government says it’s expanding GO Transit service in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

The Ministry of Transportation said that starting next week, the Lakeshore line in and out of Toronto will see an additional 220 trips per week – an increase of about 18 per cent."

Are they just considering the increased trips from Oakville something that would help Hamilton area?

[mishap]

Originally Posted by ZaidTrade

so what did global news and the PCs mean by this article?
"TORONTO – The Ontario government says it’s expanding GO Transit service in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

Are they just considering the increased trips from Oakville something that would help Hamilton area?

They're just talking about service in the entire GTHA, not just the GTA or GHA. But nothing about Hamilton in particular. Trains in Oshawa would still be considered service in the GTHA.

[ZaidTrade]

Originally Posted by mishap

They're just talking about service in the entire GTHA, not just the GTA or GHA. But nothing about Hamilton in particular. Trains in Oshawa would still be considered service in the GTHA.

I feel duped and disappointed

[Innsertnamehere]

Improved Hamilton service will come with due time. As others have mentioned, we should see more peak hour train soon, with slow service upgrades to the planned hourly all day express service to Toronto about 7 years from now.

[TheRitsman]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

Improved Hamilton service will come with due time. As others have mentioned, we should see more peak hour train soon, with slow service upgrades to the planned hourly all day express service to Toronto about 7 years from now.

When you say "express" do you mean get on at Hamilton and stop at nothing but Union? And if this is true, where did you hear that.

[Berklon]

Originally Posted by TheRitsman

When you say "express" do you mean get on at Hamilton and stop at nothing but Union? And if this is true, where did you hear that.

I have to believe that means all stops to Oakville and express from Oakville to Union. That's as "express" as the Lakeshore line gets.

It would be a waste of money/resources to go direct from Hamilton (or Aldershot or Burlington) to Union. Not enough passengers starting there and bypassing too many passengers on the way.

[drpgq]

I think in the future once Niagara stations are linked in one could make a more express route from Hamilton for one or two trains in the morning that make either no stops from Hamilton to Union or maybe one in Burlington and then express the rest of the way. But given how slow Metrolinx has been to increase any service to Hamilton that seems unlikely.

[mishap]

Originally Posted by drpgq

I think in the future once Niagara stations are linked in one could make a more express route from Hamilton for one or two trains in the morning that make either no stops from Hamilton to Union or maybe one in Burlington and then express the rest of the way. But given how slow Metrolinx has been to increase any service to Hamilton that seems unlikely.

On a broader regional scale, it would be nice if there were some transit corridor along the beach strip, or at least a plan for one. Having to travel around the harbour adds a fair bit of time to the trip for anybody that isn't headed to Hamilton.

[TheRitsman]

Originally Posted by mishap

On a broader regional scale, it would be nice if there were some transit corridor along the beach strip, or at least a plan for one. Having to travel around the harbour adds a fair bit of time to the trip for anybody that isn't headed to Hamilton.

I don't think that will ever happen. The cost involved in going underground for large portions would be massive, and the number of people taking the Go from Grimsby, St. Catherine's & Niagara just isn't high enough and likely won't be for 100 years to justify bypassing Hamilton.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

Improved Hamilton service will come with due time. As others have mentioned, we should see more peak hour train soon, with slow service upgrades to the planned hourly all day express service to Toronto about 7 years from now.

Due time indeed. I think much of the local impatience comes from what's been promised, multiple times, in the past. But there's a very real difference between the political promises, and what's possible given the interests of CN and CP and the freight demand on the tracks leading into Hamilton.

It's a complicated part of the corridor. Metrolinx needs to negotiate with the two private railways who have ZERO incentive to accommodate passenger rail, and invest a lot of money to improve the infrastructure (adding track, new rail grade separations) to provide new capacity for the additional passenger service while still keeping those companies happy. This is going to take time.

The benefits will be worth it though.