Halifax Transit

[ScovaNotian]

How significant is CN's opposition to the use of the rail cut for passenger services? A light rail line along Barrington with a terminus at Cogswell might be more realistic. Maybe the Navy could be persuaded to move their dockyards to Sydney.

[Corker]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

The biggest mistake is relying on Halifax Transit to operate all these proposed new modes of transit. Imagine if HRM had said "We want a BRT and ferry service along these routes at these capacities and frequencies - private sector operators, provide us with proposals that meet our parameters." You would likely get something in a more timely manner that operates better at lower cost.

Careful what you wish for - you might get something like the Yarmouth Ferry, LOL.

[swimmer_spe]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

I wasn't sure how the ownership/land use was sorted out after the rails were converted to trails, but yes you have a good point there.

Just one example that would have checked a lot of boxes for commuter rail is the old rail ROW now known as the Chain of Lakes Trail (changing to Beechville Lakeside Timberlea, etc.), which hooked up to the main line near the old Fairview roundhouse, ran alongside Joseph Howe Drive, up around Fairmount, through Bayers Lake Park, out past Timberlea, St. Margaret's Bay, etc.

A transit line like that would have serviced a number of people, provided access to shopping at Bayer's Lake, and would likely have spurred development along the rail corridor. Just one example.

It would delight me if I thought that Halifax staff/council were considering the possibilities of using this in the future, but honestly I believe they are just stuck in the mode of thinking small. Maybe I'm wrong with my assertion, but there really doesn't seem to be much fresh thinking going on, just how can we add more buses...

Originally Posted by Keith P.

I seem to recall posting here at the time that rail ROW was pitched as an "active transportation" trail saying exactly that, namely that it should be reserved for commuter transit of some higher order than bicycles. But of course the cycling lobby got its way as we have seen far too often, to the detriment of a far larger group of taxpayers.

Well, we could have just left the rails and ties there to rot. Converting them to a trail is not a bad idea. This line could be useful as a commuter line, but without council wanting to even try an existing line as a commuter rail, it is better left intact as a rail trail.

Originally Posted by ScovaNotian

How significant is CN's opposition to the use of the rail cut for passenger services? A light rail line along Barrington with a terminus at Cogswell might be more realistic. Maybe the Navy could be persuaded to move their dockyards to Sydney.

Well, the dockyard alone employs over 10,000 people. Then there are their families. So, likely 20,000-30,000 people directly would leave the area. Then there are the people who work supporting those people and so forth. This would kill the city, or at the very least stifle it's growth.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by swimmer_spe

Well, we could have just left the rails and ties there to rot. Converting them to a trail is not a bad idea. This line could be useful as a commuter line, but without council wanting to even try an existing line as a commuter rail, it is better left intact as a rail trail.

I think you're right. If the tracks had been left there they would need to be replaced, and only if HRM ever had the gumption to do anything with them. My thoughts were only that once you convert it to another use, that has to be reversed (a political hail mary) before it could be converted back to rail.

Stick a fork in it, it's done. Buses for everybody...

I'll take the ferry as a consolation prize, though.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by swimmer_spe

Well, we could have just left the rails and ties there to rot. Converting them to a trail is not a bad idea. This line could be useful as a commuter line, but without council wanting to even try an existing line as a commuter rail, it is better left intact as a rail trail.

Transit management within HRM has always been fiercely opposed to any sort of rail service. It is a mode of transport they are ill-equipped to operate and manage, so they do what any good bureaucracy does - they torpedo it every time it comes up in order to protect their turf. Add to that the ATU also being equally opposed because of similar turf-protection issues and commuter rail in HRM never had a chance.

[ScovaNotian]

deleted

[Franco401]

It seems silly to complain about cyclists ruining everything for their own benefit while suggesting that transit be handed over to a for-profit company beholden only (presumably) to shareholders.

[swimmer_spe]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

I think you're right. If the tracks had been left there they would need to be replaced, and only if HRM ever had the gumption to do anything with them. My thoughts were only that once you convert it to another use, that has to be reversed (a political hail mary) before it could be converted back to rail.

Stick a fork in it, it's done. Buses for everybody...

I'll take the ferry as a consolation prize, though.

What is funny - 100 years ago, Halifax had streetcars.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by Franco401

It seems silly to complain about cyclists ruining everything for their own benefit while suggesting that transit be handed over to a for-profit company beholden only (presumably) to shareholders.

That is a total non-sequitur. One of those things has zero to do with the other.

The facts are that we need improved transit services and using that ROW would have helped that situation. The other fact is that HRM Transit management and unions have been steadfastly opposed to rail forever. Whether they run Transit or some other group provides the service, money is flowing from the taxpayers to do that. If the private group could provide better service at less cost, it is difficult to understand why you would begrudge rewarding the shareholders for doing that, unless you are a virulent anti-capitalist.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by swimmer_spe

What is funny - 100 years ago, Halifax had streetcars.

Yup, right up until approx. 70 years ago, when they were replaced by electric trolleybuses, which were then replaced by diesel about 50 years ago.

Seems like each step has been a backward one, curiously, and the current, least-desirable iteration is the one that continues to get the most support from HRM.

[swimmer_spe]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Yup, right up until approx. 70 years ago, when they were replaced by electric trolleybuses, which were then replaced by diesel about 50 years ago.

Seems like each step has been a backward one, curiously, and the current, least-desirable iteration is the one that continues to get the most support from HRM.

Won't it be great when we can finally avoid the congestion on our horse?

[OldDartmouthMark]

Halifax's next transit system? Oh no... can't be, it has rails...



https://skyrisecities.com/news/2016/06/once-upon-tram-halifax-street-railway

[swimmer_spe]

Originally Posted by OldDartmouthMark

Halifax's next transit system? Oh no... can't be, it has rails...



https://skyrisecities.com/news/2016/06/once-upon-tram-halifax-street-railway

Right motive power though.

[Hali87]

They really seem to have taken some liberties with their definitions of both Rapid Transit and BRT. Bus routes that are 40%+ mixed traffic is not really Rapid Transit

The additional ferries could be a good addition, as long as they can operate at relatively high speeds when visibility is low... and AFAIK they can't

It's really disappointing if these are the only options.

[Keith P.]

I imagine that oversized speedboat ride from Mill Cove to DT will be a real treat on one of the typical windy, rainy/snowy days we tend to get 3 seasons out of the year.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

I imagine that oversized speedboat ride from Mill Cove to DT will be a real treat on one of the typical windy, rainy/snowy days we tend to get 3 seasons out of the year.

Sounds like fun!

[swimmer_spe]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

I imagine that oversized speedboat ride from Mill Cove to DT will be a real treat on one of the typical windy, rainy/snowy days we tend to get 3 seasons out of the year.

You forgot about the fog. There have been times you cannot see the other side of the narrows.

[Hali87]

^ That's unfortunately not uncommon, especially during morning commute hours in the summer.

[swimmer_spe]

Originally Posted by Hali87

^ That's unfortunately not uncommon, especially during morning commute hours in the summer.

That then makes those high speed ferries turn into lower speed boats.

[Nouvellecosse]

I took the survey and i'm generally supportive of the plan to implement "BRT" except for that it doesn't solve one of the major issues: Congestion on and around the bridges. And that's the place where bus lanes are conspicuously missing. If they made one lane on the bridge a reversible transit/HOV lane - and strictly enforced it - so that this was an effective way to prevent transit from being mired in congestion, then ok. Well, as long as there were transit/HOV lanes also allowing transit to bypass congestion on the approaches. But this really is a deal breaker. They need to be willing to actually fight for it politically and not back down. Something that's mostly cute branding and bus lanes that don't address the areas with greatest congestion just doesn't take transit improvement seriously.

My other comments were that if there is going to be "rapid transit" with frequencies consistently above 10 minutes on these corridors, we really need to invest in electric buses. That would be a way to both increase rider comfort and significantly reduce the noise and emissions impact of the increased service along the corridors.

The ferries I'm mostly indifferent about. I wouldn't be using them just as a rarely use the existing ferries, but if others would use them and they don't require an exorbitant level of subsidy compared to alternatives, then great.