Rapid Transit

[ScreamingViking]

My feeling is, if the HSR is interested in running the operation, make a bid for it.

The local transit organization has NO experience running this kind of service, despite what the acronym stands for.

They could also sub-contract to whomever wins the prize.

[Beedok]

Hire people with experience, but it seems like a nightmare to have the spine of the transit system under a different agency from the rest of the system. All the arguing about who has to bow to whom on scheduling priority and whatnot.

[ShavedParmesanCheese]

The ION in Waterloo is run by a private firm - Keolis I think they're called? The whole of the system is still integrated, trams still say Region of Waterloo and Grand River Transit on them, you wouldn't know they were run differently if the operators didn't have the company logo on their shirts.

That and when the GRT Busses went on strike last summer, the ION wasn't included because they were another union. Nice to have the region only marginally grind to a halt, rather than all of it.

[StuffedPouch]

Originally Posted by Beedok

Hire people with experience, but it seems like a nightmare to have the spine of the transit system under a different agency from the rest of the system. All the arguing about who has to bow to whom on scheduling priority and whatnot.

The GO Rail network has been operated privately in a similar manner since its inception. The trains and onboard staff are employed by Alstom, while the passenger interface folks (e.g. ticket agents) are Metorlinx (public) employees. Schedules, fare policies and revenue are all the responsibility of Metorlinx.

The important thing is that there will be performance standards and measures the operating entity has to meet, otherwise they’ll be penalized under the standard process we have in Ontario. If Cameron and Nrinder want to start funnelling their Ward slush funds to pay the service standard fines, they’re more than welcome to.

[jonny24]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Survey backs city-run LRT option over private operator
The survey was released by a coalition of labour and transit advocates ahead of a council debate on operating options for Hamilton’s long-planned light rail line.

https://www.thespec.com/news/council...6ee1476f9.html

A new survey of Hamilton residents shows a majority of respondents back the idea of a light rail transit line run by the city, rather than a private operator.

The survey of around 1,000 adults conducted by Mainstreet Research in February was commissioned by the Keep Transit Public Coalition, which is pushing for a LRT run by the city’s own Hamilton Street Railway.

Unless it was a survey of transit professionals I fail to see how it's relevant to decision making.

[ScreamingViking]

Mostly relevant to a union making an argument.

[SteelTown]

Council to recommend 3rd party run Hamilton LRT for 10 years before transition to public model
Majority of councillors agreed to present plan to Metrolinx, which has the final say

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamil...tion-1.7176847

Hamilton council is expected to recommend that the coming light rail transit (LRT) line be operated by a third party for the first 10 years of its life, before being taken over by the municipality.

The majority of councillors voted in favour of the recommendation Wednesday at the General Issues Committee, despite a push from several delegates, some councillors and other local elected officials to keep LRT operations public from the start.

The decision still has to be ratified formally by council next week. It will then be presented to provincial transit agency Metrolinx, which has the final say, since it will own the LRT.

Metrolinx's chief operating officer of rapid transit, Steve Levene, outlined "the main considerations" the province and Metrolinx will be using to make that call, in a letter submitted ahead of Wednesday's meeting.

[ScreamingViking]

Radley is the new Dreschel. Apparently.

Earth to Scott: this has been decided and is now out of our hands. Details to be managed, but the major funding and responsibility goes to the province...

Don't expect to read knowledgeable posts in the Letters to the Editor. LRT is brought up SO OFTEN as a straw man.


How things would’ve been different if we’d simply held an LRT referendum
Decade of division could have been avoided with one simple question, writes Scott Radley.

Scott Radley
The Hamilton Spectator
Wednesday, April 24, 2024

https://www.thespec.com/opinion/colu...a9b9b26e5.html

When council got to voting on who should eventually run our LRT (the public HSR or a private group chosen by Metrolinx) the other day, the result was predictably close. As it’ll be this week when it goes to ratify that decision.

This should be a surprise to nobody. Everything about this project has been a fight. Everything.

It’s hard to think of another issue in the modern history of this city that continues to generate more division, anger and animosity than this one. Years along, there’s still little common ground between proponents and opponents of this train. And there continues to be a deeply held view among each side that it represents the majority.

Makes you wonder how much of this could have been avoided if we’d simply held a referendum on it once upon a time as so many suggested.

...

[jonny24]

The 2018 election of Mayor Fred WAS the referendum on LRT. We voted for.

[matt602]

Most of the anti-LRT crowd are the same type that allge voter fraud when their political candidate doesn't get elected so its not surprising to see them keep demanding an "LRT referendum" until it goes the way they want it to.

[TheRitsman]

https://twitter.com/NrinderWard3/sta...eSxq0rGhA&s=19

So encouraged by the increase in transit ridership in #HamOnt as reported by staff for today’s Public Works Committee meeting. 2024 already surpassing estimates! #GetOnTheBus #TransitForAll ������