The Great Canadian Transit Thread

[SteelTown]

Hamilton and Quebec City two of the three medium city packs are planning LRT as well. Hamilton is working on two LRT lines for the environmental assesment, MoveOntario 2020.

[SteelTown]

Originally Posted by mersar

As far as I know Winnipeg is awaiting their order of 20 DE60LFR's still, the one they had up from the states for the trial project was only there for 6 months. The order was placed around early fall 2007, with about a year and a half lead time on those buses currently. I do see a few blog articles about the testing being a failure, but nothing to indicate that the order was cancelled. Though it is possible they may have switched it to just standard D60LFR's instead.

Ah okay, I thought they cancelled it. Something about heating problems.

The D60LFR works great in Hamilton, we have probably 10 already with I think 7 more coming in next year. Eventually within 3 years LRT will replace the D60LFR.

[vid]

Only three years? You're going to beat Kitchener!

[mersar]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Ah okay, I thought they cancelled it. Something about heating problems.

The D60LFR works great in Hamilton, we have probably 10 already with I think 7 more coming in next year. Eventually within 3 years LRT will replace the D60LFR.

So far Calgary has avoided all hybrids, though rumor has it they will be testing some in 2009 (I suspect probably a DE40LFR, and likely an LFS). They've been rapidly adding D60LFR's though, our first 6 arrived in early 2007, and another 15 late in 2007, and theres another 20 on order that will probably be here by spring, just in time for our 2nd BRT route to start service (mind you, its minimal BRT compared to what Winnipeg is getting based on the cost of theirs)

[vid]

Thunder Bay Transit has been "testing" Bio diesel on three buses since 2005. I actually think they forgot they're doing it.

One City Councillor wanted hydrogen buses made by Bombardier, but he's insane.

Oh yeah, they also apparently forgot to order the bike racks they were supposed to install by the time University started. Oops!

[SteelTown]

Originally Posted by vid

Only three years? You're going to beat Kitchener!

Well not 100% sure but strong indication that construction for one LRT line (B-Line) will start in 2010. We'll find out more Sept 18 when Metrolinx release their report on funding.

[SteelTown]

Public Consultation: Overwhelming Support for LRT

Public Works staff just published a public consultation update (PDF link) on phase two of the Rapid Transit Feasibility Study that reports back to the public works committee on the public outreach program the rapid transit team undertook during the summer.

In the update just published, staff report that they heard from more than 1,600 people, of whom 94% support rapid transit. That support breaks down as follows:

66% support Light Rail Transit;
8% support Bus Rapid Transit; and
20% support either mode.

In addition, 91% are in favour of implementing additional rapid transit routes once the recommended routes are established.

Respondents cited several reasons for supporting light rail. 71% mentioned the environmental impact, 67% mentioned potential to attract new ridership, 58% mentioned potential economic benefit, and 51% mentioned sustainability.

Other reasons mentioned include operating cost, life cycle analysis, vehicle cost, and construction cost.

Support was tied to funding from higher levels of government. 90% of respondents would support rapid transit if Metrolinx funded 75% of the capital costs; 81% would support it if Metrolinx funded 66%; and 65% sould support it even if Metrolinx funded only 50%.

The report also included letters of endorsement from several community and business organizations, including:

Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington: LRT endorsement
Clean Air Hamilton: LRT endorsement
Downtown BIA: LRT endorsement
International Village BIA: LRT endorsement
Durand Neighbourhood Association: LRT endorsement
Ainslie Wood/Westdale Community Association: LRT endorsement
Hamilton Chamber of Commerce: LRT endorsement
McMaster Students Union: LRT endorsement
Hamilton Partners for Healthy Weights: LRT endorsement
McMaster University: general Rapid Transit endorsement

The report.............
http://www.myhamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/267BC6B2-DB52-41F1-8CBF-FDEB22DD68A9/0/Sep15PW08043b.pdf


Rendering of a possible light rail line in Hamilton (Image Credit: Trey Shaughnessy)

[harls]

^ It's the same color as a Ti-Cats uniform.

[SteelTown]

You betcha! Gold and black is the city's colour.

[vid]

It's a nice design. Black and yellow/gold go well together.

[DC83]

^^ Well that's not what they're going to (for sure) look like. The City hasn't even started planning anything like that yet.

Someone from www.raisethehammer.org just photoshopped another city's train onto James St in that photo above... but yellow & black seem to be the colours of choice for Hamilton (well yellow is at least).

[SteelTown]

City will know transit scenario today
'I anticipate that Hamilton will like the plan,' says Metrolinx boss

September 23, 2008
Rob Faulkner
The Hamilton Spectator

City staff want to start building a light-rail transit system in just three years.

Today, they'll find out if Hamilton is on the radar for any rapid transit at all. Metrolinx is unveiling a much-awaited draft regional transportation plan and investment strategy.

The big local question: Will Hamilton light-rail transit -- which city planners estimate could cost $1.1 billion to build -- get OK'd as Metrolinx plots the rollout of the $17.5-billion MoveOntario 2020 plan? "I anticipate that Hamilton will like the plan," said a restrained Rob MacIsaac, the former Burlington mayor now chair of Metrolinx, a Crown agency of the province.

"It's an important step forward for the whole region in understanding the routes we see as being of regional significance, and there will be a number of routes that are significant for Hamilton's purposes," MacIsaac said. Last year's MoveOntario 2020 announcement said $300 million was available for Hamilton rapid transit. Timelines are expected in October, MacIsaac said, so today is a day for strategic answers.

The city wants a route with rail westbound on King and eastbound on Main; it would send rail south on James, up the Claremont Access, and to the airport on Upper James. The Claremont is still being studied, for cost and its grade.

The city estimates it will cost $160 an hour per vehicle to run a street-level, light-rail system. A bus rapid transit system would cost $480 million to build.

Jill Stephen, manager of strategic planning, said staff work sped up after an invite to see Metrolinx in July 2007, to discuss hopes for local transportation.

There have been feasibility studies, internal meetings, meetings with Metrolinx, staff lunch and learn sessions, even a four-day road trip to Charlotte, N.C., Portland, Ore., and Calgary.

"We told (Metrolinx) that the public here wants light rail, and that our council has given us approval to look exclusively at light rail," said Stephen, crediting the community group Hamilton Light Rail for helping city staff with research and input.

If it's part of the 2009-13 Metrolinx budget, city staff say construction could start in 2011 or later.

Earlier this month, a leaked draft plan for spending $55 billion over 25 years to fix Toronto-Hamilton congestion included all-day GO train service between the cities every 15 minutes and rapid transit lines here. MacIsaac downplayed the leak, and said it was not the most recent version.

Ryan McGreal is editor of the Raise the Hammer blog and member of Hamilton Light Rail, a group formed a year ago out of a feeling that the city wasn't pursuing LRT and settling for bus rapid transit.

"The problem in Canada is that we have very little experience with light rail transit, so people around here tend to think of the old Toronto streetcars," he said. "And there has been a sense in Hamilton for a long time that our expectations have been diminished."

But, he said, the city soon shifted its work into high gear.

Nicholas Kevlahan, a McMaster University math professor and co-founder of Hamilton Light Rail, said today may see the start of a city-changing initiative.

"Metrolinx's announcement is key and, if they do it properly, will be transforming Hamilton and the GTA in the next 20 years," he said.

[SteelTown]

$50b transit plan targets Hamilton

September 24, 2008
By Rob Faulkner
The Hamilton Spectator

GO trains every five minutes during rush hour. Train rides from Hamilton to Union Station in Toronto that take 44, not 66 minutes like today. Two rapid transit lines by 2023, and a third in the years just after that.

It's the kind of work that Burlington-mayor-turned-transportation-architect Rob MacIsaac calls "transformational."

And it's a glimpse of the local future envisioned in The Big Move, a $50-billion, 25-year draft plan unveiled yesterday by provincial Crown agency Metrolinx aiming to ease gridlock and pollution in the Toronto-Hamilton region.

It contained dozens of blockbuster projects across the region.

Metrolinx board chair MacIsaac called the plan -- a mix of cycling, transit, integrated fares, mobility hubs and more -- the most significant transportation investment in a generation.

But it leaves a few unanswered questions: such as will Hamilton get the light rail it has been hoping for or will it make do with bus rapid transit?

The 84-page plan commits to building three rapid transit lines in Hamilton within 25 years, and two of these by 2023. One line will run east-west from McMaster University to Centennial Parkway -- what Hamilton has been calling its B line.

A north-south line is planned to run along James Street up the Mountain.

The east-west line is one of the top 15 priorities among the 40 projects Metrolinx wants completed in the next 15 years.

A 2009 benefits analysis study will determine if that line will run with bus or rail, said John Howe, Metrolinx general manager for investment strategy and projects.

"We are definitely very excited to see them include the (east-west) B line as one of the top 15 priorities," said Jill Stephen, city manager of strategic planning.

"We could have it running in the next eight years. We are going to press forward with our studies, our consultation and make sure that Metrolinx knows we are ready."

Howe said construction may start in 2010 and take four or five years.

Capital costs will be covered, it appears, but operating costs will likely be paid by municipalities.

Metrolinx plans more thorough financial details in the years ahead.

MacIsaac said that each project in the draft plan's long list will be evaluated for ridership and environmental, social and economic benefits. A final plan is expected in November.

He describes some work, like GO train electrification, as "transformational." Within 15 years, Lakeshore GO trains will run every 15 minutes at off-peak and every five minutes at peak times, he said.

"They won't have to worry about a schedule, they can just show up at a station and have confidence that a train will be along relatively shortly," MacIsaac said.

Howe said electrification will cost $4 billion and may be complete by 2016, if it starts in 2011.

Metrolinx said two Hamilton stations will be used for the increased number of GO trains, the Hunter Street GO station and LIUNA Station.

GO spokesperson Jessica Kosmack said details are not yet hammered out.

"This regional transportation plan is the first step in a long journey for all of the transportation groups. The next step is establishing what the priorities are and looking at the logistics and the funding," she said.

The Draft Regional Transportation Plan and Draft Investment Strategy will go to the Metrolinx board for discussion and approval Friday.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger urges Hamilton residents to participate in the public consultations Metrolinx is planning for October. He said that, as Hamilton's voice on the agency's board, he will strive to make the plan a reality.

"It's a good news day for Hamilton," Eisenberger said. "We believe in Hamilton that light rail transit is the right way to go. We're pushing for that. Light rail is the next generation of transit systems. We've already made our case and I'll continue to do that."

Last year's $17.5-billion MoveOntario 2020 announcement -- which Metrolinx is implementing -- said $300 million was available for Hamilton rapid transit. More exact timing for capital projects will come in October's five-year rolling budget, MacIsaac said.

Metrolinx said it will use the $11.5 billion in committed provincial money to fund the plan from 2009 to 2015, to accomplish quick wins and its 15 top priorities. It hopes for $6 billion from the federal government, to fund the plan to 2018.

Metrolinx plans to report back to the Ontario government in 2013 on how to fund the rest of the plan, post-2015. Possible sources include tolls.

But MacIsaac said the strategic thinking was to build a system that Ontario likes first, then find ways to generate new money.

Hamilton estimates an east-west line and a north-south line of light rail will cost $1.1 billion, and $160 an hour per vehicle to run. Bus rapid transit would cost $480 million.

"It's a major step along the way because Metrolinx has said that Hamilton will be in the first round of projects to get funded," said Nicholas Kevlahan, a McMaster University math professor and co-founder of Hamilton Light Rail, a citizens group formed to advocate for local light rail transit.

"On the choice between light rail and bus rapid transit, we are very well positioned because the city is already answering the questions that Metrolinx will be asking."


The plan

Yesterday, Metrolinx slated three rapid transit lines into its 25-year plan for the Hamilton area:

East-West

Name: Hamilton King/Main

Timeline: Built within 15 years. Study of the exact route and technology expected in 2009. Construction may start 2010. City aiming for eight years to completion. This is one of the top 15 projects in Metrolinx's draft plan.

Would link McMaster University to Centennial Parkway by rapid transit, though whether rail or bus is not specified. This is the former layout of the B-line express bus; the city assumes Metrolinx will actually build the rapid transit further west to University Plaza.

North-South

Name: Hamilton James Street

Timeline: Built within 15 years, though not a top 15 priority like the lower-city east-west route.

Would link downtown Hamilton to Hamilton airport along James and Upper James. City assumes Metrolinx will consider city research on using Claremont Access as the way up the escarpment. City has not identified north-end terminus, just waterfront, although LIUNA Station will be a vital hub as GO trains increase.

Ring Route

Name: Hamilton Mohawk

Timeline: Built within 25 years.

Would tie Main Street at the east-west rapid transit line to Ancaster, via Centennial and Rymal.

Technology

All three lines are identified as rapid transit lines, which can mean different things. It's a broad category that can include bus rapid transit, light rail transit, automated guided transit or other technologies.

[feepa]

Edmonton: New transportation Master Plan being developed

Looks like they are finally showing images of what they think might be our future network... Showing possible LRT routes/current LRT route

http://www.movingedmonton.ca/admin/newsx/launch.cfm?ItemId=286

[SteelTown]

Mayor: we must move fast on LRT

October 01, 2008
Rob Faulkner
The Hamilton Spectator

Mayor Fred Eisenberger and city staff have less than a month to convince council the city needs light rail.

Then the focus will turn to persuading transportation agency Metrolinx to fund it.

A Metrolinx draft plan last month shortlisted an east-west rapid transit line from Centennial Parkway to McMaster University for funding -- but it didn't specify whether it would be a rail or bus line.

Eisenberger told The Spectator editorial board yesterday city staff are actively pursuing the light rail option.

"I'm confident the majority of councillors will be completely on board," he said.

On Oct. 20, the public works committee votes on whether city staff should continue to work with Metrolinx to make LRT a reality. Council votes Oct. 29.

Metrolinx is expected to decide what projects will be funded in its initial five-year budget in November.

The city wants the east-west line -- using Main and King in some combination -- to be named in the that funding envelope.

Eisenberger said that decision is crucial.

"We've got very close connections with Metrolinx staff. I see (Metrolinx chair Rob MacIsaac) often. I want to keep it that way ..."

Eisenberger is also on the Metrolinx board.

After touring LRT systems in Charlotte, N.C., Portland, Ore., and Calgary, initially skeptical Ancaster Councillor Lloyd Ferguson is now convinced it's the way to go, if Metrolinx assumes all capital costs.

LRT is cheaper to operate than a bus fleet, it could change the entire city's image, and may bring Hamilton the kind of construction boom Charlotte saw, Ferguson said yesterday.

By city estimates, a two-line light rail system will cost about $1.1 billion but promises to boost land values and revive the downtown.

[SteelTown]

Hamilton's Rapid Transit Video........

http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/City...tives/RapidTransit/RapidTransitVideo.htm

[francely57]

Here is a map of the different transit zones around Montreal, with fares for a monthly pass to the right.
...source: Agence Métropolitaine de Transport. The AMT is responsible for commuter trains and inter-urban transportation within this region.



Everything except for the green and blue areas is generally considered as part of greater Montreal. It shows how sprawled Montreal's suburbia is... to give an idea of the scale, the island of Montreal is about 48-49 km long.

[SteelTown]

Hamilton to push for LRT

October 20, 2008
By Rob Faulkner
The Hamilton Spectator

The city’s public works committee voted unanimously today to have staff push for light rail transit in the Metrolinx 2009-13 budget.

Councillors backed a staff recommendation, considered a move toward implementation, only after being assured that Hamilton will not pay for the cost of building what could become a $1.1 billion light rail transit (LRT) project.

It was a vote of support for a system staff say is crucial to solve future gridlock, helping the city’s image and environment, and insuring economic growth.

The most pressing priority for the city, and a shortlisted project for Metrolinx, is LRT along the east-west B line between Eastgate Square and McMaster University.

Staff also want planning and design of the north-south A line — which requires study due to its climb up the Mountain — in the Metrolinx budget due out this fall.

Updated Rapid Transit plans for Hamilton....

[Wooster]

^Is that all LRT?

[Great Dane]

Originally Posted by feepa

Edmonton: New transportation Master Plan being developed

Looks like they are finally showing images of what they think might be our future network... Showing possible LRT routes/current LRT route

http://www.movingedmonton.ca/admin/newsx/launch.cfm?ItemId=286

LRT to the International and St. Albert would be exceptional as well as a line to West Edmonton Mall.

Really happy with the current LRT expansion.