[St. John's] Transport development (Highways, Airport, and Public Transit) - Page 42

J_Murphy · #**821** Posted **Nov 17, 2015, 12:14 PM**

The City is looking for input on Torbay/Stavanger/Aberdeen area on their Engage website: http://engagestjohns.ca/engage/news_feed/torbay-road-area-study1

Now is your time to submit any suggestions for improvement.

jjavman · #**822** Posted **Nov 22, 2015, 6:57 PM**

I've just come back from traveling, and multiple cities in my route had public transportation to/from their airports. Last stop was Ottawa where one can ride the city bus to downtown for $3.25 (further than YYT to downtown)!

I don't ever remember this being discussed by council or YYT admin, but it may well have been. The #14 bus already goes to Airport Heights and half way into Craig Dobbin Way!

Is there some collusion with taxi companies preventing this?

http://www.metrobus.com/systemmap.asp

jthetzel · #**823** Posted **Nov 22, 2015, 10:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjavman

I've just come back from traveling, and multiple cities in my route had public transportation to/from their airports. Last stop was Ottawa where one can ride the city bus to downtown for $3.25 (further than YYT to downtown)!

I don't ever remember this being discussed by council or YYT admin, but it may well have been. The #14 bus already goes to Airport Heights and half way into Craig Dobbin Way!

Is there some collusion with taxi companies preventing this?

http://www.metrobus.com/systemmap.asp

Honestly, I always assumed the metrobus did serve the airport, because airports are always served by public transportation. A few years ago I'd take a $2.00 two hour ride on the CTA from ORD to save an $80 cab fare. I agree no metrobus to YYT is a significant oversight.

delesseps · #**824** Posted **Nov 22, 2015, 10:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjavman

Is there some collusion with taxi companies preventing this?

http://www.metrobus.com/systemmap.asp

The short answer is yes. The airport authority sells exclusive ground transportation rights to a single cab firm in exchange for concession fees. That's what the extra $5 charge on a cab from the airport is for.

From the airport authority website:

Quote:

St. John’s International Airport currently operates a Closed Taxi Stand. City Wide Taxi is the exclusive provider of ground transportation services for the public at St. John’s International Airport.

Taxi cabs queue outside the Arrivals Area. A taxi dispatcher is available to assist you.

Taxi rates are set for hotels and B&Bs. All other locations are charged the meter + $5. Taxis are waiting for you upon arrival. Therefore, a premium rate is set so that customers can avail of immediate service.

J_Murphy · #**825** Posted **Dec 31, 2015, 12:20 PM**

http://www.thetelegram.com/Business/2015...rlines-ending-Newark-St.-Johns-service/1

Quote:

St. John's International Airport will be losing it's direct service to and from Newark New Jersey's Liberty International with United Airlines, The Telegram has confirmed.

The airline will have a final flight from Newark to St. John's on Feb. 1.

The last flight from St. John's to Newark is scheduled for Feb. 2.

"This was a difficult decision that we made as part of a regular review of our schedule and our best opportunities to allocate aircraft across our network," said Karen May, public relations manager with United Airlines, in an emailed response to questions.

Horsell · #**826** Posted **Dec 31, 2015, 4:47 PM**

While I only took that flight a few times it did provide an option for travel to the eastern seaboard. I can't say that my experiences were all good because there were delays and luggage arriving the next day, due mainly to the smaller aircraft they were employing. Hopefully another carrier will fill the gap, I hate having to go through Toronto to get anywhere.

jeddy1989 · #**827** Posted **Feb 1, 2016, 4:16 PM**

This is from the Atlantic Canada airports thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeddy1989

Here's a couple of updates for St. John's International

The new runway system is finally complete allowing 700 more flights to land a year

The annual traffic is down slightly for the first time in 12 years (yay oil prices)

Metrobus is FINALLY looking at servicing the airport

Also, the Holiday Inn Express at the airport is just about complete

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundla...way-landing-system-operational-1.3423717

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/airport-metrobus-service-1.3428427

jjavman · #**828** Posted **Feb 2, 2016, 3:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjavman

I've just come back from traveling, and multiple cities in my route had public transportation to/from their airports. Last stop was Ottawa where one can ride the city bus to downtown for $3.25 (further than YYT to downtown)!

I don't ever remember this being discussed by council or YYT admin, but it may well have been. The #14 bus already goes to Airport Heights and half way into Craig Dobbin Way!

Is there some collusion with taxi companies preventing this?

http://www.metrobus.com/systemmap.asp

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/airport-metrobus-service-1.3428427

Horsell · #**829** Posted **Feb 24, 2016, 3:10 PM**

It doesn't look like the TGH is going anywhere soon. An article in The Telegram today updates some of the issues surrounding the schedule of work. Two more tenders are to be called this year but we are unlikely to see any blacktop until 2017 at the earliest.

from The Telegram: http://www.thetelegram.com/News/Local/20...-for-Team-Gushue-Highway-up-in-the-air/1

PoscStudent · #**830** Posted **Feb 24, 2016, 8:52 PM**

I imagine the provincial government could cancel work on the highway for a few years without much criticism.

Offshore1 · #**831** Posted **Feb 24, 2016, 10:45 PM**

Shouldn't this qualify for infrastructure money from the Federal Government, economic stimulus and so on?

PoscStudent · #**832** Posted **Feb 24, 2016, 11:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Offshore1

Shouldn't this qualify for infrastructure money from the Federal Government, economic stimulus and so on?

It probably could but so could other projects that might be considered more of a priority. Do they want to spend money on a highway that primarily benefits the west end of the city and Mount Pearl or another project that would benefit more people, like say a new Waterford. With all the fuss about who's responsible for maintaining the road once completed the province might be happy to halt it for the time being.

rthomasd · #**833** Posted **Feb 25, 2016, 3:40 PM**

The feds have already committed $22.5 M to the project and there's more still on the table but the city and province aren't seeing eye-to-eye on the project which is hampering further work. I expect they'll need about $9 M to do the two overpasses at Topsail road, perhaps they'll tender for one this year.

Before any pavement can be done on the Kenmount to Blackmarsh Rd section they have to remove the bypass road at Pennywell, finish up the three overpasses, install guardrails, etc. It's still unclear what's happening at Capt Whelan Rd area and I haven't heard any commitment from the city for the linkages, roundabout or whatever they're planning for that so I don't expect to see any pavement in 2016.

goodgrowth · #**834** Posted **Feb 25, 2016, 3:46 PM**

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundla...unching-pilot-project-paradise-1.3462139

Some details on Metrobus pilot project in Paradise.

I hope I'm wrong but I actually think 1 year is too short of a trial to let this gain a foothold and traction. The "transit mentality" is really going to make this difficult to succeed in a year. Paradise demographics are full of people who have never used a bus service or wouldn't typically use one. A lot of people who moved into the metro area from around the bay over the last decade moved to Paradise. Also it is full of younger families.

jjavman · #**835** Posted **Mar 2, 2016, 7:05 PM**

Coming along nicely ...

MrChills · #**836** Posted **Mar 3, 2016, 4:08 PM**

Does anyone know if they plan to have any bars or restaurants inside the security zone for the airport? It blows my mind that YYT doesn't have this. I travel so much for work and can't think of any other airport in a small to medium sized city without a bar inside security.

J_Murphy · #**837** Posted **Mar 3, 2016, 5:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrChills

Does anyone know if they plan to have any bars or restaurants inside the security zone for the airport? It blows my mind that YYT doesn't have this. I travel so much for work and can't think of any other airport in a small to medium sized city without a bar inside security.

Yes, I believe so. The plan says there will be a full-service restaurant: http://stjohnsairport.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IF1293-Expansion-Terminal-Maps-Level-2.jpg

Also from the FAQ section:

Quote:

Q4: When will there be additional food and beverage options available in the Departures Lounge?
A4: The expanded Departures Lounge was designed with the knowledge that more food and beverage and retail options are required in this area. The original building was designed pre-911 when passengers spent most of their time pre-security versus the existing and more prevalent passenger behaviour of spending more time post-security. The expanded building is designed with this in mind. Therefore, additional food and beverage options, and retail options, will be available in the Departures Lounge when the first phase of the expansion is complete in 2018. Additional concession space is also incorporated into the second phase of the expansion, to be complete in 2021.

Arrakis · #**838** Posted **Mar 17, 2016, 11:01 AM**

Looks like the extension of Hebron Way to connect with Majors Path is moving ahead. The city is negotiating with the airport to acquire some property. Here is the VOCM link...

http://www.vocm.com/newsarticle.asp?mn=2&id=61248&latest=1

goodgrowth · #**839** Posted **Mar 17, 2016, 1:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arrakis

Looks like the extension of Hebron Way to connect with Majors Path is moving ahead. The city is negotiating with the airport to acquire some property. Here is the VOCM link...

http://www.vocm.com/newsarticle.asp?mn=2&id=61248&latest=1

Not to be negative but I am not sure how much this will help with traffic in the area. Nothing improves unless Stavanger Dr is true 4 lanes in my opinion.

goodgrowth · #**840** Posted **Mar 18, 2016, 2:50 PM**

mini rant:

Can't tell if if St. John's planning/Metrobus is incompetent, just lacks the funds...or just doesn't care. I know a lot of money was spent on the new bus station off Kelsey drive but more has to be done with making public transit more accommodating and user friendly.

If you want to increase ridership you have to put more money into "bus-stop infrastructure". This means more bus shelters/dedicated hubs.

1. The only road in the city that looks like it has had some planning with bus transit in mind is Torbay road. City needs more of that.

2. Pulling up to mall parking lot isn't really a true "hub". You need a separate area that are for buses only to be able to drop off and pick up lots of people with ease. A dedicated hub need large shelters (preferably heated) that include route maps/stop times. Seriously just build one or two to start. Maybe Stavanger dr area and somewhere else.