Poll: LRT or BRT?

SteelTown · #1 Posted **Apr 11, 2008, 3:39 AM**

So here's a new poll.....what do you support for Hamilton's A-Line and B-Line.

Choice 1 = A-Line LRT - B-Line LRT
Choice 2 = A-Line BRT - B-Line LRT
Choice 3 = A-Line LRT - B-Line BRT
Choice 4 = A-Line BRT - B-Line BRT

In case you didn’t know A-Line will go from the Waterfront to the Airport (North-South corridor) and B-Line will go from McMaster University to Eastgate mall (West-East corridor).

SteelTown · #2 Posted **Apr 11, 2008, 3:42 AM**

For me I would love to see LRT for both A and B-Line but I'm going to pick LRT for B-Line and BRT for A-Line.

I really don't see the ridership needed for LRT along Upper James, BRT is more suitable in my opinion.

HAMRetrofit · #3 Posted **Apr 11, 2008, 3:46 AM**

I would like to see it on both routes eventually.

B-line I would to see become instant LRT

A-line I would like to receive LRT in 10 years when the hybrids are obsolete. BRT at first.

SteelTown · #4 Posted **Apr 11, 2008, 3:51 AM**

If we get government backing for the 2015 Pan Am Games bid, we'll be front runners and an excellent chance of winning. If we win the bid that will increase the pressure for LRT especially from McMaster (sporting venues) to Downtown (a new stadium), we have 7 years to do that. Well 6 years since we won't find out who won the bid until next year.

the dude · #5 Posted **Apr 12, 2008, 9:21 AM**

the only way i'd ever vote for brt is if it were electric trolleybus rapid transit - ETBRT? i don't believe it's come up in any discussion on rapid transit but i'd like to see it happen.

matt602 · #6 Posted **Apr 12, 2008, 10:27 AM**

B-Line instant LRT

A-Line BRT with provisions built for future LRT.

DC83 · #7 Posted **Apr 12, 2008, 12:10 PM**

from today's spec (website)

Quote:

Today's Poll »
Which mass transit system would be better for Hamilton? Take the poll and post a comment by clicking here to get to our city hall blog

Rapid bus (31.75 %)
Light rail (67.06 %)

Now, was it just all of US that voted... or are Hamiltonians actually getting it? haha

realcity · #8 Posted **Apr 12, 2008, 1:40 PM**

BRT would be useless. It's a fancy acronym for the same old busses. It won't do anything to remove the stigma in Hamilton, that is, If you ride the bus it's because you're too poor to own a car. The new hybrid busses did nothing to increase riders. The only way transit use will increase in Hamilton is if it's cool... like LRT is.

raisethehammer · #9 Posted **Apr 12, 2008, 1:48 PM**

so far, so good.

The Spec poll is in favour of LRT.
Nicole Macintyre's hallmarks blog is virtually unanimous in favour of LRT after 25 comments.

This city is surprising me right now....this is our chance!!!

the dude · #10 Posted **Apr 12, 2008, 1:53 PM**

heyyyyyyyyy, who voted for b-line and a-line brt?? you're in serious trouble.

SteelTown · #11 Posted **Apr 12, 2008, 1:59 PM**

Building two expressways (Red Hill and Linc) both costed around $1 billion so it seems only fair to build two LRT lines for $1 billion.

the dude · #12 Posted **Apr 12, 2008, 2:13 PM**

definitely, but it can be done for less than $1B. i'm pretty damned sure of that. we don't need to build a stupid tunnel.

SteelTown · #13 Posted **Apr 12, 2008, 2:23 PM**

Wow Nicole and bloggers. You did mention Nicole how much attention this issue has generated and I am impressed with the thoughtfull comments from all. I agree with most of you that we need to aim high and aspire to the cleanest order of public tansportation which is LRT. Light rail for the lower city for the future should be our goal. We must remember that we need to plan for the future and the necessary and planned growth in our inner city. I'll also agree that we have excellent staff working on this to provide accurate information as we move forward so that we can make educated and balanced decisions. There is certainly alot more work to be done here but I am very glad that we asked our staff and the Metrolinx board to consider light rail for Hamilton in some form rather than just expanding our bus rapid transit. In concert with that is my belief that a bus only civic square on both legs of King st. full or partime will change the dynamic of our dowtown and start to recapture the people place that was prevalent in its heyday many years ago. With courage and vision the Next Hamilton can and will exceed expectaions. Congratulations all for caring enough to engage and continue to participate in the future of our great and getting greater city.
Cheers Fred Eisenberger

Posted by: fred eisenberger

Berklon · #14 Posted **Apr 12, 2008, 2:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt602

B-Line instant LRT

A-Line BRT with provisions built for future LRT.

Totally agree.

I think A-Line will be underused for a while, so BRT would tide them over nicely. Let the B-Line LRT build the demand for an A-Line LRT... and if it doesn't, we didn't sink the extra money for nothing.

go_leafs_go02 · #15 Posted **Apr 12, 2008, 4:48 PM**

Do you think a short A-Line could be constructed now? It would be from say Downtown where it would meet the B-Line to say just Mohawk College, where a nice terminal will be built and connections to almost every mountain bus could be made there? Sure you're adding an extra transfer in, but you would have a climate controlled waiting area, a frequent A-Line service down the mountain, and saving thousands of dollars of diesel by reducing bus trips up the mountain.

Also, if you shorten the routes, then you can increase frequency in return.

And then, in the future, when demand warrants, extend the A-Line past Mohawk College, and down towards the airport eventually.

Besides, Mohawk College is pretty sad right now, from what I understand, in the next 5 years, most of the campus will be overhauled and rebuilt. Hey, why not include a nice transit terminal on campus along with HSR passes in tuition. Blah, it makes too much sense for me to be done. Mohawk is pretty backwards as a college right now. (and I go there)

the dude · #16 Posted **Apr 13, 2008, 3:55 AM**

^if i were making decisions in this city [and some of you are very lucky that i'm not] i'd be pushing for mohawk to relocate downtown. the campus is garbage and aside from the new wing they recently built, the majority of it could be bulldozed without a second thought...then we wouldn't have to worry about connecting it to a rapid transit route.

RePinion · #17 Posted **Apr 13, 2008, 4:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by the dude

^if i were making decisions in this city [and some of you are very lucky that i'm not] i'd be pushing for mohawk to relocate downtown. the campus is garbage and aside from the new wing they recently built, the majority of it could be bulldozed without a second thought...then we wouldn't have to worry about connecting it to a rapid transit route.

I've often thought of this myself. What net benefit is there to it being on the mountain? I'm sure it's possible to come up with some minor ones, but a vibrant institution like Mohawk would much better serve the downtown as yet another reason for people to be in the core (I'm presuming it's vibrant; I've never stepped foot in its doors, just seen all the cars parked outside).

raisethehammer · #18 Posted **Apr 13, 2008, 12:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by the dude

^if i were making decisions in this city [and some of you are very lucky that i'm not] i'd be pushing for mohawk to relocate downtown. the campus is garbage and aside from the new wing they recently built, the majority of it could be bulldozed without a second thought...then we wouldn't have to worry about connecting it to a rapid transit route.

I'd be happy if you were. Lol.

the dude · #19 Posted **Apr 13, 2008, 1:45 PM**

^you'd be safe...don't worry.