The Great Canadian Transit Thread

[J.OT13]

Tremblay Station serving Ottawa's main VIA Rail station.


https://twitter.com/chrisrands/status/1088936646970503168

[Reecemartin]

Originally Posted by d_jeffrey

Nothing sad about getting a metro upgade to a commuter line.

Not true, with the existing 25kv infrastructure Montreal could have got something with Crossrail style trains vs. Something with Skytrain style trains. I do agree that it will be a great improvement but with all these branches etc. A little more long term capacity would have been valuable.

[Reecemartin]

Indeed, Ottawas system is now the benchmark in Canada with regard to design, the full length mezzanines at the subway stations remind me of NY, that being said that scale of stations isn’t really sustainable, Ottawa only has what 3 or 4 underground stations of Line 1 Phase 1.

Nonetheless nothing to complain about seeing our design standards in line with the rest of the world. Now it would be great to see some platform screen doors. I really wonder if their use on REM will spark more use across the country. Currently Montreal, TTC Line 1 (once signal upgrades are in place), Skytrain Canada Line (if we are talking about more traditional PSD’s) and Ottawa all have the signalling necessary for PSDs.

[GeneralLea]

Today, of Yonge and Eglinton's now expanding station...with lane reductions on Yonge;
DSC_9308 by Josh Kenn Photographics, on Flickr
DSC_9353 by Josh Kenn Photographics, on Flickr

[p_xavier]

Originally Posted by Reecemartin

Not true, with the existing 25kv infrastructure Montreal could have got something with Crossrail style trains vs. Something with Skytrain style trains. I do agree that it will be a great improvement but with all these branches etc. A little more long term capacity would have been valuable.

The Champlain bridge only allows for lighter vehicles, unless crossrail vehicles are the same weight as the metropolis cars, it's difficult to keep costs and weight low for vehicles due to the AC converters needed on each trains.

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally Posted by Reecemartin

Indeed, Ottawas system is now the benchmark in Canada with regard to design, the full length mezzanines at the subway stations remind me of NY, that being said that scale of stations isn’t really sustainable, Ottawa only has what 3 or 4 underground stations of Line 1 Phase 1.

Nonetheless nothing to complain about seeing our design standards in line with the rest of the world. Now it would be great to see some platform screen doors. I really wonder if their use on REM will spark more use across the country. Currently Montreal, TTC Line 1 (once signal upgrades are in place), Skytrain Canada Line (if we are talking about more traditional PSD’s) and Ottawa all have the signalling necessary for PSDs.

My TTC Station has a full length mezzanine as, once upon a time, was a dividing line between two fare zones. It's now an overbuilt, completely underutilized space that, if built today, would come with hefty price tag. It's in the pay area so there wouldn't be enough traffic for retail as a possible use. I hope it doesn't serve as a benchmark for future stations if that is what you mean. The biggest issue with building in existing urban areas is the high cost of construction.

[ssiguy]

Interesting I saw a job posting by Metrolinx for GO RER and, with the standard job experience and academic qualifications, it required the person to have experience in developing and procurement of electrification and HYDROGEN rail systems.


Looks like hydrail is very much still a possibility for RER.

[HomeInMyShoes]

In an unprecedented move, well, maybe not unprecedented, but pretty rare, Regina Transit has lowered fares. Adult bus passes dropped form $92 to $88. Of course they had cranked the fare from about $68 to $92 in the three years prior. Which was the equivalent of an 11% hike every year.

[Dengler Avenue]

https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/thunder-bay-transit-considers-major-service-changes-1217829

Thunder Bay’s proposing major changes to its transit service, hoping to amp up the frequency on the mainlines (and reduce that on the minor routes).

[Reecemartin]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

My TTC Station has a full length mezzanine as, once upon a time, was a dividing line between two fare zones. It's now an overbuilt, completely underutilized space that, if built today, would come with hefty price tag. It's in the pay area so there wouldn't be enough traffic for retail as a possible use. I hope it doesn't serve as a benchmark for future stations if that is what you mean. The biggest issue with building in existing urban areas is the high cost of construction.

North York Centre?

[Reecemartin]

Oh in fantastic news for RER the Davenport Diamond grade separation RFP has been confirmed close, someone on UrbanToronto called Infrastructure Ontario and the winning proponent should be announced soon! This is huge news because it means the final piece in enabling 30 and 15 minute service on the GO Barrie Line as well as counter peak service is now officially happening!

In other GO news Metrolinx released a map (circles represent change in ridership not ridership numbers), big growth on the Barrie, Kitchener, and Stouffville Lines which is good to see with the introduction of all day service on all 3 (UP express ): https://urbantoronto.ca/forum/threads/tr...stics-tracking.29434/page-4#post-1417402

[Reecemartin]

In one final awesome note Fort Worth Texas’ Air Rail link opened with beautiful Stadler FLIRT trains which are also coming to Ottawa! Very exciting times!

https://urbantoronto.ca/forum/threads/tr...stics-tracking.29434/page-4#post-1417402

[Reecemartin]

OH AND GREEN LINE FUNDING HAS BEEN LOCKED DOWN!

In an absolute shocker Jason Kenney tweeted his support for the project, which mean its 99% going to happen at this point. Really exciting times to see major transit projects happening across the country from coast to coast!

[gunnar777]

Originally Posted by Reecemartin

OH AND GREEN LINE FUNDING HAS BEEN LOCKED DOWN!

In an absolute shocker Jason Kenney tweeted his support for the project, which mean its 99% going to happen at this point. Really exciting times to see major transit projects happening across the country from coast to coast!

It's Jason Kenny though. He's well-known for being a major political opportunist who says anything he wants and then denies it the next day. He's like a slightly less boob-like Doug Ford. Tl;Dr, I wouldn't read too much into his "support" tweet.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

My TTC Station has a full length mezzanine as, once upon a time, was a dividing line between two fare zones. It's now an overbuilt, completely underutilized space that, if built today, would come with hefty price tag. It's in the pay area so there wouldn't be enough traffic for retail as a possible use. I hope it doesn't serve as a benchmark for future stations if that is what you mean. The biggest issue with building in existing urban areas is the high cost of construction.

In the case of Ottawa, Lyon has a full length concourse, Parliament has a roughly 2/3 concourse and Rideau has two concourses for a total area of about 2/3. These are the three stations serving downtown and will each see ridership numbers around 30,000 per day.

No other station on the system will have concourses anywhere near that size.

I think Reece was comparing Ottawa's downtown subway stations with Toronto's. As TorontoDrew mentioned however, we can't compare the 65 year old TTC subway with Ottawa's shiny new Confederation, but we can compare it to the far superior Montreal Metro.

[J.OT13]

Stage 2 contracts will go to Ottawa City Council February 27. We should find out more on the project before then.

[Dengler Avenue]

Does that mean the city of Ottawa will decide whether or not to approve the contract on that day?

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

Does that mean the city of Ottawa will decide whether or not to approve the contract on that day?

That's what I understood. The Finance and Economic Development Committee that oversees construction progress on Stage 1, amongst many other things, is meeting February 12th. I'm assuming staff will make a presentation to the Committee (composed of the Mayor's closest Councillor allies) and provide recommendations before Council as a whole votes later in the month.

[J.OT13]

Couple from the new Confederation update.

Pimisi



Parliament



Hurdman



More online.

https://www.ligneconfederationline.ca/news/construction-update-210/

[Dengler Avenue]

Looking good, looking good