Retired Bus Driver Of Durham

DRT surveys Ajax riders about route changes

2010-06-18T05:40:00.000-04:00

Durham Region Transit is inviting Ajax bus riders to provide their two cents about recent route changes.
DRT made numerous changes to routes in May in response to the closure of Fairall Street for construction. The street is often used by buses to travel from the GO station to other parts of Ajax
.
The changes are meant to be temporary, but DRT is conducting a survey where the feedback might result in permanent changes to some routes.

Due on July 15, the survey is available online at durhamregiontransit.com or riders can pick up a copy from their bus driver. They can be returned to any bus driver, faxed to 905-666-6193 or mailed to: Durham Region Transit, 605 Rossland Rd. E., Box 623 Whitby, Ontario, L1N 6A3.

Link: Durham Region Transit surveys Ajax riders about route changes

Bye-bye bus bays: Ottawa cutting out stops

2010-06-12T09:28:00.001-04:00

The City of Ottawa is on a mission to eliminate bus bays that are scattered throughout the city in an effort to encourage more people to use public transit.
The city is currently doing restoration work along Greenbank Road between Baseline and West Hunt Club, including taking out the divots in the curb where buses can pull out of traffic to take on and drop off passengers.

The elimination of these bays is part of a policy the city implemented before the 2001 amalgamation, said Bay Councillor Alex Cullen, chair of the city’s transit committee.

“The city originally thought (bus bays) would be a convenient way to pick up and drop off passengers … but the buses get marooned, particularly during rush-hour traffic, and this throws them off their schedule,” Cullen said. So the city has been removing the road features when the time comes for major reconstruction.

College Councillor Rick Chiarelli does not agree with elimination of the bus bays. “We built those for a reason: so the buses could pull in and cars could keep going.”

While the intent of the policy change was to encourage people to take the bus, Chiarelli said, he does not think this is the right way to do it. Removing the bus bays will only slow other vehicle traffic, he said, which might make buses more attractive by comparison, but “I don’t think you can punish people into taking the bus.”

Cullen said the city had received some letters from drivers who thought the removal of bus bays was an inconvenience, but maintaining the reliability of the city’s transit system would be a priority.

“I think it’s important that our transit system work well, and the short inconvenience that cars will have to go through when a bus stops is minor,” Cullen said.

Rick Zarzosa, chief engineer of the city’s transit priority section, said the bus bays were being removed as part of roadway reconstruction throughout the city.

A few bus bays on Meadowlands Drive have already been removed, and those on Bronson Avenue, Hunt Club Road and March Road are next on the list.

Zarzosa said he could not provide an exact number of bus bays in the city.

“Without the bus bays, we save money on the transit-operation side and the on-winter road maintenance,” he said, adding that fewer buses were required when time was saved and buses kept to their schedules.

Link: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/bays+City+cutting+stops/3133908/story.html#ixzz0qdyyHVzt

TRANSIT FARE MEDIA FIASCO AT DRT

2010-06-03T20:14:00.002-04:00

On June 1st the stores at the Pickering Go Station were closed due to construction and won't open again for some months.

One major problem is that the store that sold all Durham Region Transit passes and tickets has closed and now DRT has advised that the only places to buy passes and tickets for riders using the GO Station is at the Pickering City Hall, on Glenanna north of the 401 or at the Pickering Recreation Complex which is also north of the 401 on Valley Farm Road.

Customers who come into Pickering on the GO Trains or Buses will now have to make a special trip to one of the 3 locations above to purchase fare media. This will no doubt cause some angry complaints from customers who wonder why something cannot be set up at the Go Station even if only for a few hours per day. Not only will some of these passengers have to make the extra trip but they will have to pay full fare to do so for one of the trips that won't originate at the Go Station.

The City Hall is only open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. but the other locations are open 7 days per week and the Recreation Centre has the longest hours. Surely DRT could come up with some way to sell tickets and passes at the GO Station if only on a part time basis.

Bus route pitched for Scugog Island

2010-03-12T05:33:00.001-05:00

The operators of the Great Blue Heron Charity Casino are hoping daily transit service to the Scugog Island gaming hall is in the cards.

The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation have forwarded a formal request to Durham Region Transit officials, requesting that consideration be given to extending service to the gambling facility in the near future.

The transit provider has been seeking input from the public in recent weeks as it considers its options for future expansion through its long-term transit study.

In a letter to Scugog councillors dated Feb. 9, the Mississaugas council states the First Nation community and other area residents "have always had a need for a bus route that extends service to Scugog Island."

Such a service would provide residents with a connection to other areas of Durham and beyond where they could access medical appointments and other daily needs such as commuting to work and school, said the Mississaugas officials.

The letter, signed by Chief Tracy Gauthier and councillors Della Charles and Kelly LaRocca, also requests that transit officials consider routing a bus northbound on Island Road -- directly past the Great Blue Heron casino -- to the northern tip of Scugog Island before looping around to serve residents on the island's eastern shoreline.

"Such service could be extended in a number of permutations, but we believe that a case could easily be made to support a route that runs at least twice daily during the week and on weekends," state Mississaugas officials.

The Mississaugas also subtly reminded transit officials that a small portion of the revenues from the Scugog Island gaming hall are shared with Scugog and Durham.

"Given the strong partnerships that we have developed with the Region of Durham and the Township of Scugog, particularly since the advent of the casino and the distributions that flow there from, we hope to forge new ways of improving upon the lives of our constituents on both a short- and long-term basis," wrote the councillors.

A call placed to Mississaugas Chief Gauthier for further comment was not returned. A copy of the letter already included in the Scugog council agenda was instead faxed to the Star.

When preliminary work on the strategy began 18 months ago, no concerns were raised by the Mississaugas of Scugog Island or any other First Nation groups, said Durham transit's Phil Meagher.

Follow-up attempts were also made to contact the groups, but no messages were returned, said the transit system's deputy general manager of operations.

Last month, continued Mr. Meagher, DRT officials received a couple of calls from the Scugog Island First Nation requesting "bus service to the Great Blue Heron casino and also some sort of bus route on the island."

Preliminary work on bringing transit service to Scugog Island began in 2007. However, said Mr. Meagher, DRT officials were handcuffed by provincial regulations that clearly state gambling "employees and customers can't ride on the same bus together."

That stipulation has hampered the plan to date, he said.

"We know there's probably a need up there. It's a matter of money and how to implement the service and the (provincial rules)," said Mr. Meagher.

"If I put a bus on the island, do I avoid the casino?" he asked.

At some point in the future, Mr. Meagher noted, he forecasts some sort of resolution which would perhaps allow for two trips each in the morning and afternoon to the island.

"But I'm not sure when that would happen," he added, stressing a business plan would still have to be drafted and endorsed by Regional council.

As for the idea that the casino's cash contributions could influence any decisions, the deputy general manager of operations said that fact has no bearing on transit decisions.

Scugog Ward 3 Councillor Lynn Philip Hodgson, who represents Scugog Island residents, applauded the idea os a bus to the island.

"I'd certainly support it," he said, noting it was time for transit officials to "take a good, serious look at it.

"But the problem is, of course, money -- can we afford it and will there be the ridership," said the Ward 3 councillor.

He noted, however, that there were some "growing pains" when transit was initially introduced to Port Perry a few years ago.

"It started off very slowly and with very few riders, but it started to grow when word got around," said Coun. Hodgson. "It would take some time for word to get out there."

durhamregion.com | Bus route pitched for Scugog Island.

Collecting Fares

2010-03-11T04:39:00.000-05:00

Halton council ponders regional transit system

2010-03-01T06:03:00.001-05:00

An amalgamated transit system possibly serving Halton’s four communities of Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills will be studied by regional staff.

Halton’s council has directed the works department to consider including an integrated regional transit system into the multi-billion dollar master plan it is developing for transportation projects over the next two decades.

Staff hopes to complete the master plan, dubbed The Road to Change, by the end of the year. Public information centres are scheduled for late March.

Currently, transit service in Halton is handled at the local municipal level, with Burlington, Oakville and Milton all operating separate systems. Halton Hills does not have a conventional transit system, but regional planning documents envision the town could have a small six-bus system by 2031 to service the approximately 25,000 extra people coming to Acton, Georgetown and area hamlets between 2015-31.

In the past decade, both York and Durham regions have created regional transit bodies, taking over the bus services offered by their local municipalities.

“I’ve been an advocate for looking at this (regional transit system) for some period of time,” said John Taylor, vice-chair of council’s planning and public works committee and a Burlington regional councillor, in an interview.

“Milton has a fledgling system, Burlington and Oakville have more sophisticated systems. Can we find a way to find efficiencies?” he asked. “I think we should have the facts in front of us.”

Taylor said a Halton regional transit system would be an intermediate step. The ultimate aim should be a seamless, GTA-wide transit system similar to what is available in Vancouver and its suburbs, he said.

Taylor’s Oakville colleague, Allan Elgar, was more circumspect of a regional transit initiative, in regards to the cost.

“Who’s going to pay?” asked Elgar in a separate interview. “I don’t believe Oakville is interested in subsidizing Halton Hills and Milton in this initiative.”

Elgar was referring to a point raised often by Oakville’s regional council members, that residents and businesses in their town, due to the higher assessment value of their properties, pay approximately 42 per cent of the property taxes that end up at the region though Oakville’s population is only 37 per cent of Halton’s total.

Elgar said Oakville Transit has also moved to a grid-based transit system designed for people to get around the town, while Burlington’s and Milton’s transit agencies still operate radial systems focused on getting commuters to GO stations.

Taylor responded to Elgar’s concerns by suggesting a regional transit system could operate like Halton’s waste collection division, with local municipalities determining the service levels they desire and paying the region accordingly.

While Halton’s transportation master plans have traditionally focused on building more roads — $1.1 billion is projected for such projects over the next 11 years — transit has been at the forefront of other regional plans.

Included in the recently passed amendment to Halton’s Official Plan, ROPA 38, is a target of having 20 per cent of all peak period trips made by transit by 2031, with automobiles used for 70 per cent of such trips and walking, bicycling and other “active transport” modes used 10 per cent of the time.

Reaching that target will require a massive sea change in both the attitudes and behaviour of Halton commuters as well as the level of transit service offered to them. In 2006, only five per cent of peak period trips were made by transit and two per cent by active transport.

The region’s plans depend on the province continuing to invest heavily in inter-regional transit, including the planned electrification of the Lakeshore West GO train line and a bus rapid transit line on dedicated lanes on Dundas Street between Halton and Kipling Station in Etobicoke.

With such investments, the region hopes 42 per cent of peak period trips made outside Halton will be made by transit in 2031. Only 11 per cent of such trips within Halton would be made by transit. Combined, the two add up to the 20 per cent transit target.

That target is not unique to Halton, as York Region, Ottawa, Waterloo Region and Markham are all aiming for the same percentage by 2031.

In the GTA, York has been the forefront of investing in a regional transit system, beginning its York Region Transit (YRT) in 2001. Over the past five years, YRT’s ridership increased 33 per cent, from 13.8 million to 18.3 million, while the region’s population only grew about 13 per cent, according to a Metroland York news report.

York’s privatized rapid transit system, VIVA, expects to be running its buses on dedicated lanes in three years, two years before a TTC subway extension to York in Vaughan is scheduled to be completed. Metrolinx, the province’s transit planning agency, and York are also planning for an extension of the TTC subway to Richmond Hill.

However, that increased level of transit service in York costs money. In 2010, property taxpayers there can expect to cover about 57 per cent of YRT’s $160-million budget this year, according to York’s budget documents. That equates to an approximate $89 per capita investment by York’s one million-plus residents. The region is projecting a YRT ridership at just over 20 million this year.

The investments haven’t had a skyrocketing effect on property taxes in York, however. That region averaged 2.725 per cent annual hikes in property taxes for regional services over the past four budgets. Halton averaged 1.5 per cent over the same period.

In Halton, which has a population just under half that of York, the three local transit systems recorded a combined ridership of 4.4 million, only a quarter of YRT’s ridership. That was split between Milton Transit with 102,000, Burlington Transit with 1.86 million and Oakville Transit with 2.44 million.

Halton residents, however, will pay less per capita for local transit this year, from a low of approximately $14.45 in Milton to a high of $74.50 in Oakville, according to 2010 budget documents listing net expenses divided by the municipalities’ estimated populations.

About one-third or more of the transit budgets in Halton is picked up by ticket fares and other revenues, something that often receives criticism from some residents who complain about seeing empty buses plying local streets.

However, determining what’s a good cost-recovery ratio for a transit system can lead to broader discussions around council tables about other programs offered by municipalities, such as recreation and leisure programs. For example, library boards in Halton receive property taxes almost equivalent to the transit systems, but have minimal cost recovery through user fees, according to budget documents.

The construction and maintenance of non-growth related roads in the region is almost fully subsidized by property taxes. While the subject of toll roads was recently brought up by members of Halton’s planning and public works committee, the discussion didn’t lead to recommendations.

Even with the amount local governments plan to spend on roads, Elgar said money won’t solve traffic jams, especially with population in Halton and around the GTA projected to continue growing in the coming decades.

“The more roads they build, it doesn’t mean the congestion will be less,” Elgar said.

If the region achieves its 20 per cent transit target, automobile trips would increase about 28 per cent by 2031 from 2006, according to statistics from the region’s transportation consultant. By reaching only a 10 per cent peak period transit split, automobile trips would increase 60 per cent over that time span.

Based on existing trends, on top of the $1.1 billion Halton Region has budgeted for transportation projects between now and 2021, it could expect to pay an additional $787 million between 2021-31, the vast majority on roads. An enhanced transit plan, based on the 20 per cent transit target, would cost $812 million over the same time period, with a greater percentage spent on transit though the majority would continue to go to roads.

The public information centres for the region’s transportation master plan, The Road to Change, are scheduled as follows (drop-in starts at 6:30 p.m. followed by presentation at 7 p.m.):

• Burlington - Tuesday, March 23 at Mainway Arena (auditorium), 4015 Mainway

• Halton Hills - Thursday, March 25 at Mold-Masters SportsPlex (Hall), 221 Guelph St.

• Milton - Tuesday, March 30 at the Milton Sports Centre (Banquet Room), 605 Santa Maria Blvd.

• Oakville - Wednesday, March 31 at the Halton Regional Centre (auditorium), 1151 Bronte Rd.

InsideHalton Article: Halton council ponders regional transit system.

Toronto transit union calls Liberal MPP's attack on TTC workers pathetic

2010-02-23T04:37:00.001-05:00

The following statement is issued by Bob Kinnear, President of Toronto's transit workers' union, ATU Local 113, in response to the private member's bill introduced by MPP David Caplan to declare the TTC an "essential service" and thereby substitute binding arbitration for collective bargaining.

"Since the Liberal government assumed power over six years ago, there has been a total of 52 hours in TTC service disruptions due to job action by our union. That's an average of about one minute per day during Liberal rule. Let's compare that minute to the much greater daily delays endured by TTC riders because of the McGuinty government's unwillingness to restore provincial financial support for TTC operations that was taken away by the Conservative government of Mike Harris nearly 15 years ago.

"Every single day, TTC riders put up with service delays, mechanical breakdowns, and vehicles that are so crowded they have to leave riders stranded at bus stops for as long as 20 minutes. There are also the regular fare hikes that greatly exceed both the rate of inflation and any increase in TTC workers' wages. All these problems are the result of a provincial government that wilfully turns a blind eye to the financial stresses on public transit in Ontario's capital city. As is well-known, the TTC is the least-subsidized urban transit system in North America. That may be good for taxpayers outside of Toronto but it's bad for TTC riders.

"It is a pathetic political ploy by a former McGuinty Cabinet member to try to deflect attention away from his government's chronic negligence of environmentally-friendly public transit by attacking the legal rights of transit workers.

"I would be happy to publicly debate Mr. Caplan on which has caused TTC riders more inconvenience: the 52 hours of service disruption due to union job action during the Liberal reign, or the 52,000 hours of service cutbacks, delays, breakdowns and higher fares that can be, at least in part, attributable to lack of provincial operating funding by the McGuinty government during this same period."

Kinnear added that the union will soon be conducting a series of Town Hall meetings in Toronto at which front-line TTC workers will meet with TTC riders face-to-face to air complaints, share concerns and determine what the workers can do to improve the customer experience.

"We will commit to improving those service areas over which we have control," said Kinnear. "But we cannot take responsibility for all those areas of service problems over which we have absolutely no control. That is the responsibility of governments, including the provincial government."

NOTE: Bob Kinnear is in meetings this afternoon and will not be available for media interviews until late afternoon or early evening.

For further information: Bill Reno, (416) 223-7366

AMALGAMATED TRANSIT UNION, LOCAL 113 | Toronto transit union calls Liberal MPP's attack on TTC workers a \pathetic.

Collingwood's transit system tops 100,000 riders

2010-02-18T05:39:00.000-05:00

"Collingwood's transit system is on a roll.

Colltrans saw an increase of more than 18,000 riders in 2009. Ridership jumped to 110,877 riders in 2009 from 92,857 in 2008.

In 2006, the municipality spent more than $1 million - in government funding - to purchase three accessible buses as part of an overhaul of its transit system. The municipality also added more bus stops and shelters, which would be served by three routes.

In 2007, ridership was around 67,000.

Ed Houghton, president of Collus and executive director of public works, said the goal for 2009 was to increase ridership to 100,000.

'It was a pleasant surprise,' Houghton said. 'I think last year, we were just establishing new routes.'

Collingwood Mayor Chris Carrier feels the municipality has listened to the public when it comes to the transit system.

'I think we've gone out and done public consultation,' he said.

Carrier said the next step is getting more high school students to ride the bus.

He said the town should work with the schools and provide a free pass for students so they can get used to the service.

'I think it's still an opportunity to get them to be public transit users,' Carrier said.

Last year council also increased the hours of the service by 30 minutes in the morning (6:30-7 a.m.) and to 9 p.m., in the evening. The sixth month trial is set to expire next month.

During the trial period, the 6-7 p.m., period has seen the largest amount of riders, with an average of about 10.

Houghton said he will be making a presentation to council next month on the future of the extended hours.

The morning period only averages about three riders, but in conversations with bus drivers - it's an important service for those using it. He said people working at the hospital or nursing homes use the service.

'I would have thought there would be more,' Houghton said.

Houghton said they are brainstorming some new programs in an effort to get more riders, especially students.

'We're playing with different ideas of how we can get more riders,' he said.

Houghton said there has been preliminary talk about partnering with Wasaga Beach and connecting the two transit systems.

Carrier feels the town will have to expand the service to a fourth bus and provide transit to the soccer fields at Fisher Field."

Collingwood's transit system tops 100,000 riders:

New TTC customer service czar an infrequent rider

2010-02-18T05:26:00.001-05:00

"The newly appointed head of a blue ribbon panel advisory panel tasked with improving customer service at the TTC has acknowledged he only uses the transit system a couple of times a week.

The TTC said Wednesday that Steve O'Brien — the general manager of One King West Hotel & Residence located at the corner of Yonge Street and King Street — will chair the panel.

O'Brien has 30 years of experience in the hospitality business and has served on a number of customer service councils, the TTC said.

Speaking after a public meeting of the TTC on Wednesday, O'Brien said he was born and raised in Toronto and often used the TTC in his 'younger life.' But he said he now only takes the TTC a 'couple of times a week' to get around the city.

O'Brien said he lives in Milton and takes GO Transit to his workplace, a 575-unit complex.

The head of the union representing TTC workers was quick to seize on O'Brien's admission.

'I think you have to experience [the TTC] in order to know how to address it,' said Bob Kinnear, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113. 'And it's clear — very clear by Mr. O'Brien's comments — that he is completely unaware of the issues that transit workers face, and quite frankly, the public face.'
No payment

O'Brien — who won't be paid for his work with the TTC — maintained he is qualified to lead the panel, noting that staff at his hotel are unionized.

He said he didn't anticipate any clashes with the TTC union.

'Both the management and the union understand that this is something that needs to be addressed. Customer service can be improved and most likely should be improved,' he said.

'It's not just all about, you know, the staff. It's about the customers, it's about awareness, it's about ... working together. It's about understanding and appreciating everybody. We'll see what happens.'

O'Brien is to work with TTC staff to appoint the rest of the members of the panel, which will likely include TTC officials, members of the public, business leaders and transit experts.

The panel is expected to produce a report by June 30 on how to raise the level of customer service. It will also draft a customer bill of rights.

The commission met Wednesday afternoon to discuss a number of issues, including details around creation of the panel and a report on customer service.

The move to create the panel comes after a barrage of negative publicity for the commission, part of which stemmed from rider frustration over the conduct of some its frontline staff."

CBC News - Toronto - New TTC customer service czar an infrequent rider:

Durham bus driver describes fiery Ajax car crash

2010-02-12T05:22:00.001-05:00

It was like a scene out of a movie for Durham Region Transit bus driver Bob Williamson when he witnessed a spectacular accident at the Westney Road and Taunton Road intersection in late January.

"I saw the car hit the truck and fly through air the and flip upside down," said Mr. Williamson, a Whitby resident. "Before it stopped on the road, it was on fire."

The collision happened on Jan. 22 at about 10:30 a.m. when Mr. Williamson was driving the 915 Taunton bus. He had about 15 passengers on board.

"It's hard to describe. When you see it in the movies, it's a fun thing ... when you see it in real life, it's oh my God, it's actually happening."

The driver immediately asked his dispatch to report the emergency and then he moved his bus out of the way of traffic.

A former fire inspector, Mr. Williamson did what came naturally. He grabbed the fire extinguisher located behind the driver's seat and got to work. Other Good samaritans at the scene, including an OPP officer who happened to be in the area, also helped.

Three other people armed with fire extinguishers helped Mr. Williamson keep the fire at bay until the Ajax fire department arrived. Others helped the two men inside the car to get out.

"We had the flames right down to nothing, but as soon as we backed off, it flared up again," said Mr. Williamson, adding everyone who helped did a great job.

Once the Ajax fire department arrived, firefighters quickly got the fire under control.

Ajax Deputy Fire Chief Mark Diotte said he's not surprised the fire extinguishers weren't enough to put out the fire, but it certainly helped to prevent the fire from growing.

"In my experience, people who are trained with fire extinguishers will attempt to extinguish," he said. "It's generally human nature they want to help."

The key to any fire, though, is to contact the fire department as soon as possible, which occurred when DRT dispatch placed the call.

Mr. Williamson has been a bus driver for 20 years and his fire inspector days ended in the early 70s, but he said he still felt comfortable taking on the fire.

"It was instinctive, hey, there's a fire, go and do it ... besides the fellow was still in the car, I didn't see how they could get him out, but they did."

Sergeant Nancy van Rooy of the Durham Regional Police said there were no serious injuries in the crash. Both men in the car were 20 years old and from Ajax; the dump truck struck by the car was driven by a 52-year-old man from Stoney Creek.

"So far police have not laid charges, but charges may be pending," said Sgt. van Rooy.

Martin Ward, manager of transit operations for DRT's Westney division, said Mr. Williamson is being commended along with other employees who have recently done something exceptional. He added this isn't the first time drivers have acted quickly.

"The drivers call probably two or three times a month and get 911 stared for different accidents, they're like road watch," said Mr. Ward.

Besides traffic accidents, bus drivers also encounter medical emergencies such as seizures and they even keep a look out for missing persons when police are looking for someone.

In 2008 bus driver Rob Rowland was the first to discover a house fire in Ajax.

"He went and banged on the door and got everybody out," said Mr. Ward.

DRT also has a policy that lost children can get a ride home at no cost.

"If you see a bus, it's as good as a moving telephone booth in an emergency," said Mr. Ward.

And as for Mr. Williamson, he has a new nickname at work.

"We just refer to Bob as Firefighter Bob."

durhamregion.com | Durham bus driver describes fiery Ajax car crash.

Ajax doesn't owe the Region a penny more

2010-02-05T15:25:00.001-05:00

To the editor:

It was just a matter of time before jolly Roger Anderson gathered his regular benefactors at Durham Region to see if they could pull off a heist on our casino.

We already donated a perfectly good bus service plus ancillary buildings to the Region. They have now returned rattling their tin cups.

Here's a suggestion for our regional councillors and all the other folks in Durham who have already had a chance to agree on this - Mr. Anderson and friends must re-visit officially the question of an elected Regional chairman, plus fair representation for Ajax, and maybe Ajax council might review the situation. I also note that some of our regional folks want a more stringent check of prospective councillors in case they have broken any laws. That makes even more sense to have a chairman elected at large. He or she can then be equally interrogated.

Personally I think the members of council who are looking for a handout should take care that Ajax does not make a charge to them for all the extra tourists/visitors we attract to our little goldmine on the lake. Stick to your guns Steve, not a penny more.

John Haste

Ajax

newsdurhamregion.com | Ajax doesn't owe the Region a penny more.

Counterfeit fare? New gadget plays gotcha

2010-01-28T14:32:00.001-05:00

The TTC has begun testing a new fare box system expected to eliminate counterfeit Metropasses and tokens.

The device has been mounted on only one bus so far – on the 31 Greenwood route. Another pilot will begin on the Pape bus next month.

The hope is to roll out the $5.3 million system across the entire TTC by the end of 2011.
HOW IT WORKS

1. The rider swipes a Metropass through the reader, which detects the magnetic strip and provides information on a readout for the driver on what kind of pass (student, regular, etc.) is being used.

2. The rider drops a token into a slot. Like those at subway stations, the machine is calibrated to read security features built into the token. If it isn't authentic, the machine will spit it back out.

3. If the fare isn't authentic, the driver has discretion to ask for cash, or radio for a supervisor to be dispatched to the location, with the possibility of calling police.

Counterfeit fare? New gadget plays gotcha - thestar.com.

Bus driver extinguishes flames after car flips in Ajax

2010-01-24T07:44:00.001-05:00

A Durham Region Transit bus driver used his onboard fire extinguisher to put out flames when a car flipped and caught fire after colliding with a truck in Ajax Friday.

It happened at roughly 10:30 a.m. at the Westney Road and Taunton Road intersection.

"Our driver witnessed the accident happen and the car flipped in the intersection and caught fire," said Phil Meagher, deputy general manager of operations for DRT.

The 915 Taunton route driver had his supervisor call emergency services before helping at the scene.

"He used his onboard fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire before emergency services arrived," said Mr. Meagher.

Sergeant Nancy van Rooy of Durham Regional Police said a nearby OPP cruiser also responded. Ajax Fire and Emergency Services showed up shortly after to fully extinguish the fire. Durham police and EMS also responded.

Everyone was able to get out of the vehicles, though one person was bleeding from the head and was loaded onto a stretcher and taken to hospital.

"It doesn't look like injuries are life threatening and terribly serious," said Sgt. van Rooy.

There appeared to be little damage to the green dump truck, but the burgundy sedan that flipped was crushed in the front and fire damaged.

Durham police are investigating the collision and the intersection was closed temporarily.

Mr. Meagher said DRT employees always try to help when something like this happens on the roads and bus drivers have been witnesses to accidents in the past.

"We're sort of the second set of eyes and ears for emergency services when we're out there," he said.

newsdurhamregion.com | Bus driver extinguishes flames after car flips in Ajax.

Bombardier Flexity Streetcar in Vancouver - First Look!

2010-01-18T07:46:00.005-05:00

Light rail construction vexes Sheppard businesses

2010-01-18T06:15:00.001-05:00

Construction of a new streetcar line could drive customers away and sap revenue, business owners on a stretch of Sheppard Avenue East say.

The city officially broke ground in December on the 14-kilometre light rail line, which provides streetcars a dedicated right of way between the Don Mills subway station and Meadowvale Road.

The project is part of Toronto's Transit City plan, which will add dozens of kilometres of streetcar lines across the city — particularly underserved areas in the outer reaches.

But Sam Bawab, the owner of Seven Star Electronics on Sheppard near Birchmount Road, said the impact of construction is already affecting his bottom line.

"The bigger businesses are already taking over our clientele," he said. "I think it will cause probably traffic jams and it might affect my business drastically — especially in this economy, right?"

Coun. Joe Mihevc, who sits on the TTC board, admits businesses will be inconvenienced during the line's construction, which is scheduled to conclude in 2013.

"It's short-term pain for long-term gain," Mihevc said. "People like the product, and they like the dream at the beginning. The problem is that construction period — how to get through it as quickly and painlessly as possible."
St. Clair line plagued by delays

However, construction on the city's most recent light rail project has been anything but quick and painless. Work that began on a dedicated streetcar line on St. Clair Avenue West in the fall of 2005 was plagued by delays.

The most high-profile stoppage came because of a court-ordered suspension on construction following a legal challenge mounted by advocacy group Save Our St. Clair. The group argued that the project would create gridlock and eat up parking spaces vital to the neighbourhood's survival.

The suspension was later overturned, and construction continued on the line, which is expected to be completed by the spring. But costs have ballooned and businesses have complained bitterly about the drawn-out construction.

Katherine Varvatsoulis, the owner of Katherine's Hair Artistry on Sheppard, is well aware of what happened on St Clair. She said she is simply hoping for the best as construction ramps up outside her business.

"Yeah, [construction] concerns me, but I just wonder if there's anything we can do about it. I don't think so," she said.

The city has learned from the St. Clair experience, Mihevc said, adding planners could have never predicted the difficulties that emerged.

Council has commissioned an independent review of the St. Clair project, the results of which will be presented to the TTC at a meeting on Wednesday.

And Toronto will strive to consult with the public over the Sheppard construction, Mihevc said.

"Year One, Year Two — every month you need to update people [so] they continue to buy into the vision of what you're trying to do and that they are brought along each step of the way so they know exactly where they are in the construction process," he said.

"Light rail is how the city of Toronto is going to become an even better city. There's things that we've learned in the process to do better. That's good. Let's incorporate them, and let's get on with building Sheppard, Eglinton and Finch."

Considered the city's most ambitious plan in a generation, Transit City relies heavily on expanding and adding streetcar lines as opposed to building new subway routes as a means of upgrading the public transit service.

Building streetcar lines is cheaper and quicker than building subway lines, with an estimated price tag of $30 million per kilometre of track. Subway routes can cost more than $100 million per kilometre.

CBC News - Toronto - Light rail construction vexes Sheppard businesses.

Wiring to blame for fire on Oshawa bus New Year's Eve

2010-01-08T04:18:00.001-05:00

A Durham Region Transit bus came to an abrupt stop on New Year's Eve.

A fire broke out in the engine compartment of the bus, just before 8 p.m. on Dec. 31, in the Eulalie Avenue and Ritson Road area of Oshawa.

"We believe it was electrical in origin. Wire shorted out," said Peter Chatoff, the deputy general manager, maintenance and equipment.

There were passengers on board, but no one was injured, Mr. Chatoff stated. "The smoke didn't enter the passenger compartment."

A damage estimate hasn't been determined yet, he added, as DRT is waiting for an appraisal.

"We believe it's repairable," he stated.

"We're contacting our peers in the industry to see if they've had anything of this nature," Mr. Chatoff said.

The bus, manufactured by New Flyer, was ordered in 2006 and delivered in 2007.

DRT has 30 of the buses and "we went through the group," he said, adding insulation to wiring was added to prevent a similar incident happening again.

New Flyer representatives are expected to come and inspect the bus, he said.

Similar New Flyer buses were kept off the road until they could be inspected and preventative modifications could be made, Mr. Chatoff said.

The New Flyer bus is "probably one of the most common models in transit. It's a bread and butter bus."

PS: DRT also had a fire at the Ajax garage yesterday. Apparently the coffee truck caught on fire while it was in the garage. They aren't having much luck lately.

newsdurhamregion.com | Wiring to blame for fire on Oshawa bus New Year's Eve.

Obama's distracted driver Executive Order in effect

2010-01-04T12:06:00.001-05:00

On Wednesday, U.S. Transportation Sec. Ray LaHood marked the effective date of President Obama's Executive Order on distracted driving, which will prohibit more than four million federal employees from texting behind the wheel while working or while using government vehicles and communications devices.

Sec. LaHood also unveiled a new national television PSA and Website, www.distraction.gov/, this week to get the word out on the dangers of distracted driving.

"Every time we climb into the driver's seat, we all have a responsibility for keeping our roads safe by putting away cell phones and other distractions," said Sec. LaHood. "I am proud that the federal government is leading by example, and encourage others to think about how they can set a safety example in their communities whether it's through employee policies, safety awareness campaigns, or just making sure your teen driver knows the risks."

On Oct. 1, 2009, following a national two-day summit on distracted driving, President Obama signed Executive Order 13513, "Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging While Driving," directing federal employees not to engage in text messaging while driving government-owned vehicles; when using electronic equipment supplied by the government while driving; or while driving privately owned vehicles when they're on official government business.

The order also encourages federal contractors and others doing business with the government to adopt and enforce their own policies banning texting while driving on the job.
Following the fall summit, Sec. LaHood directed all 58,000 USDOT employees to comply immediately with the President's Executive Order.
Obama's distracted driver Executive Order in effect - News - METRO Magazine

All Londoners Will be Within a Mile of a Charging Station by 2015

2010-01-02T05:01:00.002-05:00

London England mayor Boris Johnson launched a new plan called the Electric Vehicle Delivery Plan for London that will allow all Londoners to be within one mile of an electric vehicle charging station in five years.

The plan calls for the installation of 25,000 charging points at public, residential and commercial spaces by 2015 in order to encourage the addition of 100,000 EVs within the city ASAP. The city government is doing their part by committing to add 1,000 EVs to the Greater London Authority fleet over five years.

This is another aggressive move by the city to clean up their transportation. The city successfully instituted congestion pricing in 2003, added hybrid double-decker buses, converted the Scotland Yard fleet to hybrids and air-powered vehicles and is testing state of the art fuel-efficiency technology.

With its track history, I have little doubt the city will meet its EV goals and can only hope that their ambition will rub off on the rest of the world's major cities (and small cities, and suburbs...).

All Londoners Will be Within a Mile of a Charging Station by 2015.

Is the TTC worth $3 a fare?

2009-12-31T08:34:00.001-05:00

"Happy New Year from the Toronto Transit Commission: Please pay up.

On Sunday, TTC cash fares go up 25¢, or 9%, to $3, and a Metropass jumps from $109 to $121, a 10% increase.

These are hefty hikes. Is the TTC worth the extra money? The short answer is no. I visited New York over Christmas, where the subway costs $2.25 (US), and takes you all over town, 24 hours a day. By comparison, we are getting hosed.

Transit users here probably wouldn’t begrudge the TTC a steep fare hike if we saw improvements. But six years after David Miller won re-election as the “transit mayor,” turning down the mayor’s traditional seat on the Police Services Board to take a seat on the TTC, in what way is the transit system better?

The other night, after the city hall press gallery’s Christmas party at the Hard Rock Café, I waited at midnight for the 505 Dundas streetcar westbound with Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone and John Barber of The Globe and Mail. Mr. Barber flagged a cab. That left two of us. Mr. Pantalone told me he is running for mayor. We waited some more.

“People used to love and respect the TTC,” said Mr. Pantalone. “What happened?”

“Back then,” I replied, “the TTC used to show up on a regular basis.”

In fairness, the streetcar soon rumbled up, and we got home safe. And isn’t it nice to have a deputy mayor who takes transit after midnight?

Still, we just don’t have the transit system we once did. Compared with 1980, the year Mr. Pantalone first won election to City Council, today’s TTC is dirtier, more crowded and less reliable. Major improvement appears a long distance away.

“You’re packed in like a sardine and you’re paying more for all of this,” says Patricia Sinclair, who lives on Finch Avenue East in Scarborough and does not drive. Ms. Sinclair has launched a group called “Save our Sheppard” to protest the new streetcar right-of-way on Sheppard Avenue East, the first bit of the Transit City plan.

“We want them to go back to their original plan for a subway on Sheppard East,” she says. “The Spadina [light rail] line goes 12 km an hour. Is that rapid transit? We’re being hoodwinked.”

There is some good news for transit users in Toronto. Yesterday, I tested the new streetcar right-of-way on St. Clair Avenue West, from Dufferin Street to Yonge Street. The streetcar came promptly, filled quickly, and ran smoothly.

In another spot of good news, university students -- who apparently lobbied the TTC pretty hard -- will see the price of their transit pass actually drop next year, from $109 right now to $99 in September, 2010.

But overall, the TTC predicts that the fare hike will discourage use. A record 473 million people will have ridden the TTC by midnight tonight (up from 467 million in 2008). Once the fare goes up, in 2010 just 462 million people will ride the Rocket, the TTC estimates. The fare hike will generate $36-million. The TTC also says its costs will rise 6% in 2010, but it will provide no new service.

Am I the only guy who finds it wacky that, even as our mayor professes to fight global warming, we expect transit use to drop?

Over the long term, the TTC predicts that subway and light rail expansion (on Sheppard, Finch and Eglinton avenues, Jane St. and Don Mills Road) will bring in an additional 175 million riders by 2021. If this does come to pass, Mr. Miller will indeed look like a hero. But I would like a better transit system before then.

The other day Councillor Karen Stintz (Eglinton-Lawrence) described being stuck on the Yonge train in a tunnel southbound for 20 minutes, with no one explaining the delay. She decided then to run again for council, because, “we have to fix this.”

Transit users are looking forward to very specific proposals from all the mayoral candidates as to how they will improve public transit within their term of office."

Is the TTC worth $3 a fare? - Posted Toronto

Fleet safety book offers comprehensive guidance

2009-12-31T08:27:00.001-05:00

A new comprehensive book on motor fleet safety — a textbook for everyday use in truck and bus transportation—is now available through the Maryland Motor Truck Association (MMTA).

This text, Fleet Safety: Standards and Practices – Safe Fleet Operations for the 21st Century by Jack Burkert, offers both an overview and the “How to” of motor fleet safety, with over 300 pages of easy-to-read standards, solutions and applications.

Included are case studies direct from the author’s 30-plus years of safety management experience, guidance on best management practices, driver training content, accident investigation and prevention, regulatory compliance, insurance and claims, and emerging standards of performance across the loss control and risk management spectrum.

Copies are available through MMTA for only $49.95. Interested companies can view the Table of Contents, read excerpts, or complete an order form online at www.mmtanet.com/mmta.asp?c=655.

The book has been adopted as the official text of the certification and safety education program of the Texas Motor Transport Association and is being distributed to clients and policy holders by a major commercial vehicle insurer.

Burkert has been deeply involved in safety activities since 1975, teaching drivers, managers and executives the benefits and techniques of fleet safety. Testimony before Congress, lecturing at hundreds of seminars, making presentations on fleet safety at over 500 conventions, as well as offering much sought after expert testimony in litigation matters, he has authored multiple books on fleet safety for trucking and passenger transport.

Fleet safety book offers comprehensive guidance - News - METRO Magazine.

Restored PCC

2009-12-24T15:29:00.000-05:00

See more photos at Buck Tracks,

TTC seeks costly no-strike deal

2009-12-22T05:17:00.001-05:00

The Toronto Transit Commission wants to negotiate a no-strike agreement with construction unions working on major streetcar line expansions across the city, to ensure labour peace leading up to and beyond the 2015 Pan Am games.

But some councillors fear such a deal will cost taxpayers millions, possibly tens of millions more, in exchange for unionized trade workers giving up the right to strike.

Transit City, a $10 billion program and key project of Mayor David Miller, is expected to transform the city over the next 10 years with 120 kilometres of new streetcar lines. The games have added an unprecedented urgency for the TTC to get at least the Scarborough-Malvern line built on time.

Toronto Councillor Doug Holyday said if costs on such a big project went up by only 1 per cent, it would mean an extra $100 million.

"Unions aren't known for giving away things for nothing," Holyday said. "And the right to strike is the power behind the union to a great extent. I'm sure if they're giving up the right to strike, there's something in it for them."

However, Councillor Adam Giambrone, the TTC's chair, insisted that fears of increased costs are unfounded.

"We need the work to be done on time and on budget, and the agreement ensures there will be no delays or extra costs due to labour shortages or disruptions," he said in an email. "The building trades, in exchange, get guaranteed work that allows them to invest training and apprenticeships for young people in Toronto neighbourhoods."

A no-strike deal became possible after changes to construction legislation in Ontario, said Jay Peterson, business manager of the Central Ontario Building Trades, which represents about 70,000 construction workers.

The next round of bargaining for new contracts begins next year, Peterson said.

"Potentially, any union could go on strike and upset Transit City," he said. "That would be terrible for our city and our workers. So we're looking to give away our right to strike so that we can count on seamless construction no matter what happens next year."

During the last bargaining round three years ago, labourers went out on strike, he said.

"Labourers are very important in the application of concrete, working hand-in-hand with the carpenters. So if we had one union like that go out, everything may grind to a halt in a couple of weeks. That would be terrible."

Councillor Peter Milczyn, a TTC commissioner who voted against negotiating such a deal with the Central Ontario Building Trades, said such a major initiative should have included background on whether other no-strike deals have led to higher costs.

Milczyn objected to the handling of the issue, in the form of a one-page memo from Giambrone that was approved in a 7-2 vote with no discussion.

"This came out of left field," he said. "This is not a good process to follow."

Holyday echoed Milczyn's concern that more information is needed on how so-called Project Labour Agreements have worked.

"There should be quite a bit of background information on something this big, and what the effect has been on the overall costs where it's been used before. Maybe it's good. But to go into this blind would be a mistake."

The provincial government has committed to fund the first three streetcar lines to be built under the Transit City program.

A spokesperson for Transportation Minister Jim Bradley referred questions to Metrolinx, the provincial transit agency.

Metrolinx said it is aware of the issue but didn't know the TTC would be dealing with it Wednesday. The transit body has yet to come up with a position on it.

The TTC didn't have a no-strike clause during construction of the $1 billion Sheppard subway line. A three-week strike in 1998 by operating engineers and heavy equipment operators brought work on the line to a standstill.

TTC seeks costly no-strike deal - thestar.com.

Raleigh Avenue bus garage debate heads back to Oshawa council

2009-12-19T06:08:00.001-05:00

The debate over the transfer of an Oshawa bus garage to Durham Region Transit got heated at Regional Council on Wednesday, but the issue was ultimately punted back to the City of Oshawa.

When the Region took over public transit in 2005, part of the deal was that all transit assets, including buses, garages and more, would be transferred to the Region.

Ajax and Pickering transferred transit buildings or leased them to the Region in 2008. However, the transfer of a bus garage on Raleigh Avenue in Oshawa is still outstanding. The issue now has a sense of urgency because the facility is slated for a multi-million dollar upgrade with the creation of Hwy. 2 rapid transit bus system using provincial funding.

"We need to get the garage in the name of the Region either in a lease or transferred to us or we potentially lose the funding for the bus rapid transit," said senior solicitor for the Region, Matthew Gaskell.

That's why Region and Oshawa staffs recommended a lease agreement where the garage would be leased to the Region by the City for $1; the Ajax Transit ticket terminal was also leased for that amount. But Oshawa councillors balked, instead pairing the issue with the debate over $8.6 million in unfunded liabilities, including employee pensions and benefits, carried over from the Oshawa Transit Commission.

On Nov. 23, they passed a motion that said if Durham dropped the request for $8.6 million, it could rent the depot to the Region for 25 years at a cost of $1. The other option Oshawa considered was leasing the depot for $440,000 a year for five years, with options to renew the lease.

After a heated debate, primarily among Oshawa councillors and the mayor, Regional councillors voted on Wednesday to send the issue back to Oshawa council and once again request the $1 lease. If Oshawa doesn't agree, Regional Chairman Roger Anderson said DRT will start looking for a new site for the garage because it won't risk losing the provincial dollars.

Coun. Brian Nicholson, one of the Oshawa councillors who voted to pair the two issues together, accused the Region of using threats and intimidation.

"I don't believe that's the way to treat a member municipality," he said.

However, Oshawa Mayor John Gray disagreed. He was opposed to pairing the unfunded liabilities issue with the issue of the lease and said the City's solicitor advised council against doing that. However, he was outvoted.

"If the Region abandons the site, we would continue to have ownership and we would end up with a derelict building on a brownfield," he said.

Brownfield land is land formerly used for industrial purposes, requiring environmental clean up before it can be redeveloped.

As the mayor spoke during the council meeting, Coun. John Neal shouted him down.

"I'm asking for the mayor to stand up for Oshawa," he said.

This earned a rebuke from Mr. Anderson.

"Coun. Neal, if you want to fight with your mayor at home, you can do your fighting with your mayor at home."

Ultimately, councillors voted 23-4 in favour of punting the issue back to Oshawa council, with Coun. Neal, Coun. Nicholson, Coun. April Cullen and Coun. Robert Lutczyk voting against it. Mayor Gray indicated he's been meeting with local councillors and he's hoping they'll accept the deal this time around.
As for the issues of the unfunded liabilities, the Region wants the issue to go to arbitration and so far Oshawa is refusing.
Mayor Gray argues that Oshawa shouldn't have to pay because the municipality contributed a slew of new buses while other municipalities contributed aging buses or none at all, in the case of Whitby, because its transit was contracted to a private company.

But Mr. Anderson points out that in 2008, Pickering agreed to pay the unfunded liabilities for its former transit workers. However, that $210,700 tab was far smaller than Oshawa's.

"Obviously you don't get $9 million in unfunded liabilities by paying your bills," he said.

newsdurhamregion.com | Raleigh Avenue bus garage debate heads back to Oshawa council.

London Transit deal ratified

2009-12-16T07:31:00.001-05:00

The London Transit strike officially ended Monday (Dec. 14), after a tentative deal between the London Transit Commission (LTC) and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 741 was ratified, but LTC officials say it will be another three weeks before full bus service is restored.

The deal that sees an end to what was close to a month-long shut down of public transportation in the city of London, Ontario, sees a total compensation increase of 13.2 per cent – wage and benefits – for unionized workers with the LTC. The agreement covers a 45 month period, LTC officials said.

ATU Local 741 officials said the deal was given a 72 per cent affirmative nod from its members.

"While many issues remain to be addressed, from violence in the workplace and understaffing, to the city's chronic under funding of public transportation in London, sufficient progress has been made to get the buses back on the road," said an officials ATU Local 741 statement.

Work will begin preparing the equipment for service Tuesday morning (Dec. 15) with some form of limited service possibly resuming as soon as the weekend.

Transit officials have asked for the public's "patience and understanding" as full service is restored on a progressive basis.

While efforts are being made to restore transit service, there will be a four- to five-day delay before any buses are back on the road, with full service not anticipated for approximately three weeks, LTC officials said.

"The delay provides the necessary time to complete required servicing and inspection of a sufficient number of buses to start-up and maintain a limited (modified) service. It is expected that the return to full service will take approximately three weeks," LTC officials said.

Updates regarding the details surrounding the return of bus service will be made available through public service announcements and on the LTC website (see link below).

For those with monthly, weekday and semester bus passes, a refund cheque will be issued for the period of no service or a credit will be applied towards the purchase of a January, 2010 bus pass, but individuals must present their November pass. Credit applying to the tuition-based bus pass program will be provided as is detailed in the contracts with respective student councils.

Transit deal ratified; return to full service in 3 weeks - LondonTopic.ca.

Go Train Delays

2009-12-13T07:25:00.004-05:00

This is one more dumb issue that could cause a major delay to commuter train service.

Be sure to vist my Photoblog - Eye Candy.

Oshawa transit depot option 'rejected'

2009-12-13T01:47:00.000-05:00

DURHAM -- Thanks, but no thanks.

That's Durham Region's response to the offer from Oshawa to settle a dispute over a bus garage owned by the City.

What's at stake is $82.3 million in provincial money the Region could use to build a bus rapid transit system along Hwy. 2.

Durham and Oshawa have been haggling over the transfer of a bus garage on Raleigh Avenue since the Region took over operation of transit services in 2006. At the heart of the issue is 'unfunded liabilities.'

The Region wants Oshawa to cough up $8.6 million to cover things such as employee pensions and benefits. The City says those costs are now the Region's responsibility.

Oshawa council, on Nov. 23, passed a motion that said if Durham dropped the request for $8.6 million, it could rent the depot for 25 years at a cost of $1. The other option Oshawa considered was leasing the depot for $440,000 a year for five years, with options to renew the lease.

Regional council's finance committee on Wednesday approved a staff recommendation that said the Oshawa offer should be "rejected."

Regional Chairman Roger Anderson has previously said, "We're adamant that they have to give the land to us for $1, we will not rent that property at market value. (Regional) staff have been instructed to start looking for sites."

On Wednesday, Mr. Anderson stated, "If Oshawa doesn't see the rationale of signing a lease for $1 a year, we as a group will have to spend money to buy land and build a garage. If we don't, we don't get the $83 million."

For the bus rapid transit system, the Region needs to have depots in both the east and west end of Durham. A lease has already been reached with Ajax for land, at $1 for 25 years.

Under the rules set out by the Province, the Region either has to own or have a lease agreement in place for all facilities, or it doesn't get any money.

If Oshawa holds firm, the Region would "have to invest some money in (land) acquisition. We can't lose that $83 million," Mr. Anderson said.

Buying land in the Bowmanville area would cost somewhere between $30,000 to $50,000 an acre, Mr. Anderson stated.

It would cost about $25 million to upgrade and expand the two depots.

Oshawa Councillor Joe Kolodzie proposed the option with "nominal rent for 25 years" provided the Region drops its claim to unfunded liabilities.

"I don't support it. I hope the committee defeats it and moves forward," Coun. Kolodzie said. "It's not my position, it's the Oshawa position and I have to bring it forward."

Ajax Mayor Steve Parish said a compromise could be reached, with the City agreeing to the transfer of the Raleigh Avenue garage to the Region, and the matter of the unfunded liability referred to binding arbitration.

"If that's put forward to Oshawa, as a sensible middle ground, no one loses face," he said, adding the alternative is "protracted litigation."

The Oshawa position is "wonderful and makes great press, but it doesn't get the Region the premises. We'll all look like asses and we'll be asses."

The matter now goes to Regional Council on Dec. 16.

newsdurhamregion.com | Oshawa transit depot option 'rejected'.

No fare increase for Durham Region Transit

2009-12-12T07:25:00.002-05:00

DURHAM -- Transit users won't have to dig deeper in 2010.

A recommendation going to Regional Council on Dec. 16 calls for almost all transit fares to remain the same. A single adult fare would remain at $2.90.

The only fare increase proposed is the U-Pass for UOIT and Durham College students. It would rise to $63 per semester from the current $60 a semester. The increase would start on Sept. 1 of next year.

During a meeting of Regional Council's finance committee, Jim Clapp, the Region's finance commissioner, said, "As the finance guy, keeping the fares to same, that was a tough, tough thing to do. I agree with Ted (Galinis, general manager of Durham Region Transit), this is not the year to increase fares. Perhaps it's wise to keep them where they are."

DRT is planning no service enhancements in 2010, Mr. Galinis told the finance committee.

The only change being proposed is a summer U-Pass program in 2010. It's a four-month pilot project and the pass would cost $80 for each student.

newsdurhamregion.com | No fare increase for Durham Region Transit.

Woman Hangs Onto Purse Stuck In Door Of Subway Train

2009-12-09T05:40:00.000-05:00

Related links: Worker Fired

Calgary Transit orders 40 Nova LFS buses

2009-12-04T15:02:00.001-05:00

Nova Bus announced it has been awarded a two-year contract by Calgary Transit with the possibility of extending the agreement for a further three years. In the first year, 40 Nova LFS buses are scheduled for delivery.

With a fleet of almost 1,000 buses providing 95.3 million rides annually on 168 routes, Calgary Transit is a significant new partner for Nova Bus and will help consolidate the company's growing presence in Western Canada.

The vehicles will be used to both grow their fleet and replace aging, less fuel-efficient buses, enabling Calgary Transit to provide enhanced service to the community.

Calgary Transit orders 40 Nova LFS buses - News - METRO Magazine.

Oshawa six must allow transit depot to be expanded

2009-12-04T04:51:00.001-05:00

Oshawa councillors taking a hard stand on a new bus depot in the city should reverse their position to save a project very much needed in the municipality that motovates the Region.

At stake is the spending of millions of dollars in a city hit hard by the recent recession. Metrolinx, the body appointed by the Province to oversee massive transit improvements in the Greater Toronto Area, has offered Durham Region $83 million to get moving on a rapid bus transit project along Hwy. 2. As part of that plan, the Region wants to build two bus depots in the east and west ends of the region at a cost of $25 million each.

In the west, Ajax has offered up land for the depot at a price of $1 per year. For that amount, they will see new construction and new jobs in the town.

The story is a little different in Oshawa. The Region wants the bus depot to be expanded at the current location on Raleigh Avenue but six of the City's 11 councillors are asking for a little more rent than Ajax requested. Oshawa councillors want $440,000 a year in rent, a figure the Region is balking at. Regional Chairman Roger Anderson has made it very clear that if the rent isn't $1, it will look in either Whitby or Clarington for the depot.

The six councillors are using the depot as a carrot to persuade the Region to back off an $8.6-million legal claim against Oshawa to help pay for employee pensions and benefits for transit employees. In 2006, transit systems were uploaded to the Region and the Region claims the $8.6 million is owed. The City counters the Region is now responsible for transit and it should bear those costs.

That fight will likely end up in the courts and should not in any way derail the expansion of the new depot, which will bring $115,000 a year in tax revenue, new construction jobs and new employees to operate the facility.

Councillor Nester Pidwerbecki, who is also vice-chairman of Durham Transit, is the voice of reason in all this when he notes it would be a real blow to Oshawa if it lost this deal because of a conflict over the $8.6 million.

He's right. Unless Oshawa council acts now, the city could lose this long-term project. The repercussions could affect the entire Region by delaying the rapid transit project if a site other than the existing Oshawa depot has to be found. Rezoning requests and public meetings could drag the project on for some time.

We urge Oshawa council to rethink its position and make it clear to the Region the two issues can be dealt with separately for the greater good of the community at large.

newsdurhamregion.com | Oshawa six must allow transit depot to be expanded.

Oshawa stands to lose $25-million transit depot

2009-12-03T05:38:00.001-05:00

An Oshawa councillor says squabbling between the City of Oshawa and the Region of Durham could see Oshawa lose out on a $25-million transit depot and the jobs and tax revenue that would come with it.

Oshawa Regional Councillor Nester Pidwerbecki, who is also vice-chairman of Durham Region Transit, says the project could go to Whitby or Clarington, if Oshawa doesn't extend an olive branch.

"It would be a real blow to Oshawa if we lost this deal because people are being foolish," he said. "Other municipalities seem to be able to do things by the book, why can't Oshawa?"

At the root of the issue is a disagreement between Oshawa and the Region, over "unfunded liabilities."

In 2006, municipalities across Durham uploaded their individual public transit systems to the Region, creating an amalgamated system. Now, the Region is looking to Oshawa for $8.6 million to cover things such as employee pensions and benefits -- costs, the City argues, that should be the Region's responsibility now.

At the same time, the Region received an $82.3-million provincial grant as part of the Hwy. 2 bus rapid transit project.

The plan is to spend $25 million of that updating and expanding the existing transit depot on Raleigh Avenue in south Oshawa and build another depot in Ajax.

Ajax has already agreed to lease land to the Region for $1 a year and Oshawa was expected to follow suit -- until the debate over liabilities started. Now, the City is using that as leverage.

At its Nov. 9 meeting, Oshawa council passed a motion from Councillor Brian Nicholson that gives the Region an ultimatum: drop the fight for the $8.6 million and pay $1 a year to lease the depot property, or else pay market value for the land, about $440,000 a year or $10 million over the 25-year lease term.

Coun. Nicholson said his motion lets everyone walk away happy.

"If you want $10 million in free rent, give up your $9 million claim. Or, pursue your claim and pay for the property, I think that's fair," he said. "If they expect us to give them the $10 million in free rent and still pursue the other $9 million, that's a potential loss to Oshawa taxpayers of $19 million. I don't know how any councillor could justify that."

Regional Chairman Roger Anderson said there is a deadline to spend the provincial cash. If Oshawa won't work with the Region, he said other locations will be considered.

"We're adamant that they have to give the land to us for $1, we will not rent that property at market value," he said. "(Regional) staff have been instructed to start looking for sites. They are looking for land that is serviced and ready to go ... we know Clarington has some. Oshawa Mayor John Gray said Oshawa stands to lose $115,000 a year in tax revenue, and jobs, if the depot goes elsewhere.

"We're also going to be stuck with a vacant, derelict building on a brownfield site," he said. "Members of council are playing poker with this issue, and we're going to end up being the losers."

The motion from Oshawa council will be dealt with by the Region's finance committee on Dec. 9.

newsdurhamregion.com | Oshawa stands to lose $25-million transit depot.

Green License Plates in Ontario

2009-12-02T05:21:00.001-05:00

Ontario has a plan that, by 2020, 1 of every 20 cars on the road should be an electric vehicle. To encourage drives to adopt hybrids and electric vehicles, a new license plate is being offered for green vehicles.

Vehicles bearing the new plates will be eligible for a number of special perks, including use of recharging stations and special parking spaces. But the most compelling benefit the new plates will offer is allowing vehicles to use carpool lanes, even if there's just one person in the vehicle. The carpool lane benefit extends until 2015.

In the past, when other municipalities and government agencies have allowed benefits like this, the value of the perk has sometimes been as much as several thousand dollars on vehicle resales. This is another way to encourage matters in order to reach a goal like 5% hybrid or electric vehicles in little more than a decade.

Green License Plates in Ontario Come with Priviledges.

GTA transit fare card test begins

2009-12-01T06:19:00.001-05:00

A small number of Greater Toronto Area commuters are getting their first taste of a smart fare card that will allow them to navigate the region's myriad transit systems.

Seventy-five riders from the GTA began using the Presto card on Monday as part of a pilot project initiated by Metrolinx, the regional transit agency.

The credit-card sized pass is machine-readable and reloadable and will eventually work on all public transportation in the Greater Toronto Area.

Users can load money onto the cards online, by phone or at participating stations.

Those currently enrolled in the pilot project can use their cards at three GO Transit stations — Union, Oakville, and Bronte. Some Oakville Transit buses are also equipped to read the Presto card.

The only Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) station that takes the card is Union, although the program will be expanded to include other major stations in the coming months.
Reader deducts fare automatically

The vice-president of policy and planning of Metrolinx said using the card is easy.

"So you arrive at the station, you tap on to a little register," Leslie Woo told CBC News. "It deducts automatically from your card that you registered with a certain amount of money … and you're on your way and that's it. No transfers, no metal, no paper."

In the next three weeks, 500 people will begin testing the Presto Card, Woo said.

The program will be steadily expanded over the next few months to include a number of stations and transit agencies.

Coming by Spring 2010:

* Oakville Transit.
* Burlington Transit.
* GO's Lakeshore West Georgetown and Milton rail lines.
* TTC's Bloor/Yonge College, Dundas, Queen’s Park, St. George, St. Patrick stations.

Coming by Fall 2010:

* Mississauga transit.
* Brampton transit.
* GO Transit's Lakeshore East, Barrie and Richmond Hill GO rail lines and bus routes.
* Hamilton Street Railway.
* TTC's Kipling and Islington stations

By the winter of 2011:

* Durham Region Transit
* York Region Transit
* GO Transit's Stouffville GO Rail line and all remaining GO Bus routes
* The TTC's Don Mills, Downsview and Finch Subway stations.

Ottawa's OC Transpo system is also expected to begin using the card system by the winter of 2011. The province has awarded a $250-million 10-year contract to management consultant company Accenture to design and implement the Presto card system.

CBC News - Toronto - GTA transit fare card test begins.

Transit strike cost city government $5.9M, auditor finds

2009-11-28T06:51:00.001-05:00

Ottawa's public transit strike wasn't just bad for the pocketbooks of the city's transit employees. It was also costly for the city administration, with $5.9 million in direct costs, according to an audit released Wednesday.

The audit report found that wage and fuel savings were more than offset by lost pass and ticket revenue. City council gave transit riders generous deals to entice them back to transit after the 58-day stoppage of service.

But the city also had increased costs, such as $558,000 for increased snow removal, $362,000 for increased security and $400,000 to compensate colleges and universities to operate shuttle services.

The city initially said it was saving about $3 million a week during the strike.

The auditor wasn't looking at the cost of the 53-day strike to citizens and businesses, which were estimated to be in the millions of dollars each day.

Transit strike cost city government $5.9M, auditor finds.

Token Hoarding & Smartcards

2009-11-25T04:47:00.001-05:00

Ontario’s new smartcard fare card will eliminate the token hoardingthat is currently besieging the TTC, councillors acknowledgedyesterday, yet the region’s biggest transit network will be the last inthe province to get it.

The province’s PRESTO card goes livenext week for the first 500 customers at two Oakville GO Stations.Those passengers will also be able to initially swipe their way throughtwo turnstiles at Toronto’s Union Station, with a bigger rollout inMay.

But Toronto passengers will likely have to wait until atleast 2012 or 2013 for pre-loaded smartcards because the TorontoTransit Commission only gave PRESTO conditional approval last week,joining GO Transit, Oakville, Mississauga, York Region, Durham RegionBrampton, Hamilton, Burlington – even Ottawa.

“Everybody elsemade a decision to go ahead in 2006 and TTC is making a decision in2009 and so clearly that’s the reason why they’re last,” said DavidSmith, director of program services at PRESTO, which is overseen byprovincially mandated regional transportation authority Metrolinx.“We’re very pleased with that decision and we’ll work with them as hardas we can to get them rolled out so that both the people who live inthe 905 who use the TTC and all the residents of Toronto can enjoy thebenefits of the PRESTO card.”

Since it announced a 25-cent farehike effective Jan. 3, the TTC has faced a run on tokens, forcing it tofirst limit the number of tokens available to each customer and finallyspend $50,000 printing 10 million temporary tickets for December as itstoken stores were depleted.

The TTC estimates it could lose $5-million from token hoarding.

CouncillorPeter Milczyn (Etobicoke Lakeshore) said the whole debacle would havebeen avoided if the TTC had a less archaic fare system.

“With asmartcard system you could literally, practically overnight, change thefares. The next day it would deduct a different amount from your farecard. So there’d be no issue of hoarding tokens or anything else forthat matter,” he said. “We have a fare system that others back in the‘70s started going to magnetic tickets and things like that andprobably since the ‘70s we’ve been somewhat behind.”

It wouldalso offer the ability to load the card online, to pay with a creditcard, and to register the card in case of theft or loss.

But Mr.Milczyn defended the TTC’s hesitancy to jump on board PRESTO. A reportto the commission last week outlined significant costs as a chiefconcern. The province has agreed to bankroll $140-million of thestart-up costs, in addition to installing PRESTO readers at 12 subwaysstations what will be part of a pilot.

But the report warned the true costs of implementation for the TTC could be as high as $417-million.

Councillor Joe Mihevc (St. Paul’s), vice chair of the TTC, said the commission has to tread carefully.

“Wecannot make this something where the TTC loses money and we need to beable to control certain pieces,” he said. “If we want to introduce fareby distance or a discount for students or seniors or to offer off-peaklower fares, we need to be able to set those rules. We can’t have athird party set them for us.”

Mr. Mihevc said the costs meant implementing smartcard technology was not a priority for the TTC until recently.

“Wehave an integrated system whereby many of the buses and the streetcarsgo right into subway stations, therefore not requiring transfers, andour turnstile technology is pretty good and works just fine, it wasn’tin need of replacement. It wasn’t something that was on the TTC’shorizon” he said. “We had enough state of good repair issues to dealwith 10 years ago when public transit money was really tight. So wedecided our public transit system was working very fine, thank you verymuch, we’ll consider this at a later date. Now it’s that later date.”

Transit improvements eyed for Uxbridge

2009-11-25T04:16:00.001-05:00

Public transit use in north Durham has been an incredible success since its launch, and the buses connecting northern residents to the rest of the region are running at full capacity, Uxbridge councillors heard Monday evening.

While presenting an update on Durham Region Transit's long-term transit strategy, Phil Meagher told Uxbridge's civic leaders the current service is certainly being utilized by residents looking to travel across the region.

"It's at capacity, it's one of the most successful launches we've had and it's been very successful," said Mr. Meagher, Durham transit's deputy general manager of operations.

The 950 route has two buses daily which run at capacity, connecting Scugog and Uxbridge residents to Durham College and UOIT, he explained.

"We're running at capacity through the whole day," said Mr. Meagher. "It's pretty steady ... throughout the day, it's being used."

And, in about 20 years time, Uxbridge residents can look forward to further transit improvements, added Mr. Meagher.

According to the DRT deputy general manager, the regional transit provider is eyeing an extension of the Lincolnville GO Train route to Uxbridge, and more GO Bus service and increased connections to areas such as Port Perry and Stouffville.

Cycling facilities are also proposed in the transit strategy plan, which is looking to 2031 and beyond.

In the south end of Durham, transit officials are looking towards introducing rapid transit in the lakeshore communities.

"A lot of activity will take place in the south, but there will be a lot of improvements and changes for Brock, Uxbridge and Scugog," said Mr. Meagher.

When quizzed by councillors about the potential cost for all the upgrades, the deputy general manager replied the transit authority plans to seek funding from the Province and federal government once the study is complete.

He also noted there is no firm time frame to bring GO Train service to Uxbridge, stressing the plan is looking beyond 2031.

It's expected a draft copy of the transit study will be presented to Regional council in December, with a final report due on Feb. 15, said Mr. Meagher.

The document will be completed by March, he added.

newsdurhamregion.com | Transit improvements eyed for Uxbridge.

Transit union leader blasts Metro News for insulting cartoon

2009-11-21T15:51:00.001-05:00

TORONTO, Nov. 19 /CNW/ - An editorial cartoon on the front page of the November 18 Toronto edition of Metro, a widely distributed daily commuter news digest, has drawn the ire of the president of Toronto's transit workers union.

The cartoon depicts a streetcar operator leaning out of his window with his hand in the pocket of a startled pedestrian reading a newspaper with the headline "Rate increase."

"Fare increases are always accompanied by a large spike in verbal and physical assaults on vehicle Operators and Collectors," says Bob Kinnear, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113. "Passengers angered by having to pay more to ride the TTC take out their frustration on the front line workers, not on TTC management or the Commissioners.

"This insulting cartoon makes it seem that the workers are to blame for the fare increase. It will provoke active animosity in some unbalanced passengers and lead to more assaults. We've been down this road too many times before to let this pass."

Kinnear says it is grossly unfair to attribute the magnitude of fare increases over the past decade to TTC workers.

"With this latest increase, TTC cash fares since 1999 will have risen 64% faster than the wages paid to Operators and Collectors. Angry passengers should be incensed at the failure of governments to support Toronto public transit at the level enjoyed by other cities. They shouldn't be taking it out on our members, who provide a great service under often very stressful and demanding conditions."

TTC management's recent presentation to the Commissioners on the need for a fare increase revealed that the TTC is the least subsidized transit system in North America.

"If the TTC received proportionately as much public funding per rider as Montreal, Vancouver or Edmonton, our fares would be much, much lower. If we received as high a per-rider subsidy as they do in Los Angeles, the TTC would be free to riders," said Kinnear.

"The cartoon would have been more truthful if it had shown Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Prime Minister Stephen Harper picking the pockets of our passengers."

"We believe in freedom of the press," added Kinnear, "but we have the right to strenuously object to a 'McPaper' like Metro distorting the truth at the expense of our members' safety."

AMALGAMATED TRANSIT UNION, LOCAL 113 | Transit union leader blasts Metro News for insulting cartoon that will provoke assaults on TTC staff.

London transit strike underway

2009-11-19T07:23:00.004-05:00

London's first transit strike in almost three decades didn't seem to affect the morning commute, police said.

London's bus drivers, members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 741, walked off the job at midnight.

Many expected those who usually take the bus to school or work in the morning – students, workers, business owners – to tie up traffic using vehicles.

There were no unusual backups during the morning rush-hour, said London Police Const. Amy Phillipo.

Those who usually take the bus were forced to walk, taxi, bike, carpool or work from home.

Taxi companies in the city said they were prepared for more calls but they didn't come.

"People are starting to realize now that no bus is coming to pick them up but this morning there weren't that many more," said a dispatcher with Aboutown Transportation.

Another dispatcher at U-Need-A taxi service also said there weren't that many more calls this morning.

"It's surprising," he said.

London Transit bus drivers were on the picket line as thousands of Londoners scrambled to find a way to work, school and appointments on the first day of the first transit strike in nearly 30 years.

Bus drivers and other workers were on the picket line at the LTC headquarters on Highbury Ave. this morning with strike signs, getting some support from passing motorists who honked their horns and waved.

City streets were heavy with rush-hour traffic and the lack of buses was noticeable as union leaders and company officials hit the radio talk shows to defend their positions.

At 7 a.m. there was no sign of hitchhikers at major intersections, although there were many young people – high school, college and university students – seen legging their way to school on sidewalks.

Last-ditch talks to avert a bus strike broke down yesterday morning and no new talks are scheduled.

Management and the union blamed each other for the strike.

At two hastily-called news conferences yesterday, a visibly frustrated Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best said the London Transit Commission (LTC) offer was "more than fair," at a time when London has Canada's second-highest jobless rate.

Later, the LTC released documents showing it had offered the union a 9% increase during three years, including an 8.3% wage hike and improved dental and disability benefits and working conditions.

The LTC said the union demanded 20% in wages and benefits during three years.

DeCicco-Best slammed the demands as irresponsible with the city still mired in a recession.

"These numbers are staggering, I have people who have trouble putting food on the table, who have trouble finding a place to live," she said.

But in an interview, Pat Hunniford, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 741, said it was the LTC management that refused to budge.

"We made some pretty big concessions from where we started," he said.

Hunniford said the 20% increase in wages and benefits demanded by the union was an "old" offer and the union made a verbal offer closer to 12% by the time talks broke off.

He said the union's wage demands were flexible and the two sides were only about 50 cents apart. But the talks broke down on benefit issues including short-term disability and the dental plan.

Hunniford said even with the union demands, the LTC workers are well behind their counterparts in other cities in wages and benefits.

In an echo of the bitter 2001 garbage strike, DeCicco-Best signalled the city is ready to wage a public-relations battle with the union.

She said the public should know the full cost to the LTC and taxpayers of meeting all the union demands.

"The community has a right to know what led to the strike and why they walked away from the deal on the table," said DeCicco-Best.

Hunniford said he would be making the rounds of radio talk shows tomorrow morning to make the union's case

"It comes down to how long the citizens will tolerate this and when city hall will step in stop this," he said.

About the only thing the two sides agree on is that the strike will cause hardship for thousands of students, seniors and working people who rely heavily on the transit system.

A transit strike in Ottawa last winter lasted two months.

"We have seen what this has done in other cities and we simply did not want to be there," said DeCicco-Best.

The last bus ran at midnight Sunday.

DeCicco-Best said the city will try to help residents cope by posting information on its website about carpooling and urging employers to be patient especially in the early days of the strike.

The LTC also is promoting carpooling, walking and cycling.

Both the University of Western Ontario and Fanshawe College, whose students pay mandatory fees for LTC bus passes, are putting contingency plans into place.

Hunniford said only a handful of the 450 union members were around for the last strike in 1980 that lasted 10 days.

But Hunniford, whose father worked for the LTC for 37 years, remembers a nine-week strike in 1975.

"I remember being a kid here and that was the year without Christmas," he said.

The LTC normally handles about 75,000 to 80,000 passenger trips daily.

Specialized transit services, including para transit, will continue to operate despite the strike.

London transit strike underway - The North Bay Nugget - Ontario, CA.

Ore. man wins APTA "Dump the Pump" video contest

2009-11-19T05:44:00.004-05:00

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) announced the winners of its “Dump the Pump” transit rider-generated online video contest. Participants were asked to create a video that demonstrated why they were “dumping the pump” in favor of using public transportation.

Bob Richardson of Portland, Ore., the first place winner created a high-quality video, which depicts a familiar scene of a woman dumping a significant other. In this scene, however, she is leaving the gas pump behind for a more attractive suitor — her local public transit system.

“The purpose of this contest was to hear from the American public transit rider in a fun and entertaining way about how public transportation is taking us to a better future — economically, environmentally, and our overall quality of life,” said Rose Sheridan, APTA vice president, marketing and communications. “We were pleased and proud of the quality and creativity we saw in these videos, which made it hard to pick a winner. That’s a great problem to have.”

The winners of the contest were chosen by a panel of APTA officials. The top three prize-winners and their awards are as follows:

First place: Bob Richardson of Portland, Ore. - Winner of a year of free public transportation and an Apple iPod Touch. See his winning entry here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNPA0RlsR1g

Second place: Judith Keenan of Berkeley, Calif. – Winner of six months of free public transportation. See her entry here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSSQSiTkctM&feature=related

Third place: Miles Clark of Atlanta - Winner of three months of free public transportation. See his entry here: http://www.youtube.com/dumpthepump09#p/f/40/XJQVIP4q1uA

Winning videos and all entries will be featured at APTA’s Public Transportation Takes Us There campaign Website: http://www.publictransportation.org/takesusthere/contest_videos.html

Ore. man wins APTA \Dump.

Durham Region's Smart Commute Employer of the Year

2009-11-19T05:04:00.002-05:00

AJAX, ON, Nov. 18 /CNW/ - Veridian Connections Inc. was recognized as Durham Region's 'Smart Commute Employer of the Year' at a ceremony held in Toronto last night. The Smart Commute awards ceremony was hosted by Metrolinx and is held annually to recognize employers who are leaders in helping employees to reduce the environmental impacts of commuting to work.

The Smart Commute initiative began as a partnership of municipal governments in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), and the partnership was expanded to include Metrolinx early in 2008. Smart Commute's goal is to reduce traffic congestion and to take action on climate change through transportation efficiency. It helps and encourages local employers to explore and promote more environment friendly commuter options such as carpooling, teleworking, transit, cycling, walking and flexible working hours.

Veridian's award was accepted by Kyle Brown, the company's Manager of Retailer Relations and Smart Commute Coordinator. Brown credited Veridian's 190 employees for the award. "The staff at Veridian has really embraced our smart commute initiatives," she said. "Simple measures such as promotions to increase awareness, fun competitions and low cost incentives have led to significant changes in employee commuting practices."

Brown points out that Veridian's smart commute initiatives have been embraced and supported by the company. "Veridian offers flexible work options such as telecommuting and compressed work weeks to reduce the amount of travel required by staff, and has recently implemented a video conferencing system to reduce the need for travel between the company's work locations," she said. "These are just a few examples of how employers can help support the development of sustainable communities."

Recipients of the Smart Commute awards were selected by an independent panel of community members from various sectors across the GTHA. Evaluations were based on the employer's commitment to the program, leadership in their communities, innovation and results.

Veridian Connections Inc. safely and reliably delivers electricity to more than 111,000 customers in the Cities of Pickering and Belleville, the Towns of Ajax, Port Hope and Gravenhurst, and the communities of Uxbridge, Bowmanville, Newcastle, Orono, Port Perry, Beaverton, Sunderland and Cannington. Veridian Connections Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Veridian Corporation. The City of Pickering, the Town of Ajax, the Municipality of Clarington and the City of Belleville jointly own Veridian Corporation.

For further information: George Armstrong, Manager of Regulatory Affairs and Key Projects, Veridian Connections Inc., (905) 427-9870 extension 2202

VERIDIAN | Veridian Recognized as Durham Region's Smart Commute Employer of the Year.

Voice response system for partransit

2009-11-17T07:30:00.001-05:00

York, Pa.-based public transportation operator, rabbittransit announced plans to implement an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system to assist paratransit riders in accessing their reservation information.

For riders who are registered for this free service, they will receive an automated phone call the day before their trip with their pick-up time information rather than having to call rabbittransit the evening before for the information.

The IVR system, supplied by Trapeze at a cost of $300,000, is phase one of a larger plan of technological system updates that rabbittransit received special funding to benefit its passengers. Other initiatives include Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) technology in which all rabbittransit vehicles are being outfitted with new equipment.

This will enable the transit authority to track important ridership statistics and vehicle data, which will be tied to providing real-time passenger information. One of the later phases will include the ability for online trip planning through the organization’s website.

“We’re very excited at the prospect of maximizing technology to enhance our customer’s experience and provide service information in real time,” comments rabbittransit Executive Director, Richard Farr. “This use of technology will allow us to provide a more efficient and productive service.”

Paratransit or “curb-to-curb” service accounts for more than 200,000 trips each year.

York, Pa. taps voice response system for partransit - News - METRO Magazine.

Federal arbitrator sides with city in strike settlement

2009-10-26T06:15:00.004-04:00

This is a direct reprint from the Public Transit in Ottawa blog. Thanks for great reporting.

The outcome of arbitration which was used to settle the underlying issues of Ottawa's 52-day winter 2009 transit strike was released today, and reports indicate that the arbitrator sided with the City of Ottawa in the dispute.

The decision, which covers the three-year contract ending in March 2011, includes the following:

* City gains control of scheduling
* A raise of 8.25 per cent (3.25, 2.5, and 2.5 in the three years)
* No one-time signing bonus
* No new with sick/special leave
* No contracting-out changes

One of the City's contract offers just before both sides agreed to arbitration was 7.25 per cent over three years, an increased number of sick days, a one-time bonus, and scheduling responsibilities handed over to the City--an offer which was soundly rejected in a federally-forced vote. The union was reportedly looking to retain control of scheduling, and gain a raise of 9.25 per cent over three years.

The issue of scheduling was the most contentious item in the strike, with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 279 not willing to negotiate on it, and the City unwilling to negotiate without it on the table. OC Transpo management suggested that their reason for wanting to wrest control of scheduling was to take advantage of 'operational efficiencies' they felt they could gain.

Another of the key issues from the ATU's side was the contracting out of services. Particularly with regards to mechanics and the servicing of OC Transpo equipment, the union wanted some certainty that they had job security. This settlement fails to ease that concern, and OC Transpo management had suggested that contracting out some services may offer more operational efficiencies.

It is now up to OC Transpo management to demonstrate that those operational efficiencies are, in fact, significant enough to have justified the 52-day strike.

This arbitration settlement adds a level of intrigue to the ATU's recent vote against giving up their right to strike in favour of sending all future negotiations to arbitration. Although the common perception of arbitration is that they favour unions, this settlement demonstrates that they do not, necessarily.

Mainstream coverage of the outcome:
Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa Sun
CTV Ottawa
Orléans Star

Rude Drivers

2009-10-16T15:00:00.005-04:00

Another One Bites The Dust

2009-09-14T08:39:00.001-04:00

After watching other transit bloggers… Karem Allen of Transit Nightmares and David Harrison of Durham Transit Review put an end to their blogs, I have decided to do the same with this blog.

My first posting began on January 9, 2006. Since that time there have been 530 postings in total. This past summer has been a changing point in my life where I have lost all interest in transit issues. I knew it was bound to happen one day. I retired from DRT on October 9, 2007 and never dreamed that the blog would have lasted this long. I would have quit long ago except that every time I met up with

Ted Galinis, the General Manager of DRT he gave me encouraging words about what I was doing.

My thanks too everyone that followed my blog.

You can still check me out on my other blog Eye Candy.

Burning gas tax money

2009-06-24T05:30:00.003-04:00

The spending of gas tax funds is a matter of concern for Durham Region residents.

To the editor:

I, like many of my fellow constituents, took the day off without pay Tuesday to present my opinions and concerns on the proposed Durham-York incinerator.

I was very disappointed by the absence of my regional councillor Don Mitchell as well as the behaviour of many of the regional councillors. At one point, Chairman Roger Anderson had to request only one councillor leave the room at a time as groups of councilors were congregating outside during delegations. I even captured a photo of Pickering Councillor Rick Johnson fast asleep during delegations from the public. Others were on BlackBerrys or openly having discussions with their neighbours.

I issued a challenge to regional council members. Before voting on this project, where 100 per cent of the federal gas tax is pledged, I would like them to ride Durham Region Transit for an entire week. They will soon see the inadequacies residents who depend on that system deal with daily. Even at peak times, no bus passes my home more than two times an hour.

Please note the DRT is the only GTA transit system that does not link with the TTC. That means only Durham residents are ineligible for the GTA pass system. Unless you work right downtown by Union station, you are basically obligated to drive to work.

I am a user of this system. The Ontario Human Rights Code is clear about the obligation to provide dignified affordable and accessible service for the elderly, young families and the disabled among others. I can also tell you there is nothing dignified about hiding in a bus shelter at the Whitby GO station for nearly an hour in the middle of the night because Durham buses have stopped long before the train. Once my cab arrives I then pay upwards of $20 to get home. That is in no way affordable to me.

Rebecca Harrison

Whitby

MTA legislate manners

2009-06-23T06:06:00.001-04:00

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is the public transportation authority in south eastern New York State. It is the law on New York public transit that patrons must give up seats that are designated as priority seating for persons with disabilities. The fine is $50.00 for bone heads that choose to keep the seat.

Related Link: Priority Seating Campaign

York-TTC deal in the works

2009-06-22T01:30:00.001-04:00

By David Fleischer
York Region Transit and the TTC are eying a pilot project that could make getting to and from York University a lot easier.

If it goes forward this summer, commuters on both sides of the Toronto-York Region border will be able to take Viva buses from Downsview Station to York University without paying a double fare.

"It's an opportunistic thing," TTC service planner Bill Dawson said.

Even at peak periods, the 48-person Viva Orange buses average only seven riders on the stretch before heading west into Vaughan.

By contrast, the TTC's 196 York University bus averages more than 50 people at peak hours and is at or over capacity virtually all day.

"It's a unique situation. We think it's the only place on the boundary where this would occur, because of York University itself," Mr. Dawson said.

York Region Transit general manager Don Gordon said they floated the idea with TTC some time ago but it took time to negotiate an agreement.

Helping break the logjam was in the interest of Metrolinx, the regional transit authority, that wants to see more seamless cross-border transit.

The pilot project could provide a model to be applied elsewhere, Mr. Gordon said.

It may seem like common sense but the ability to pick up and drop off riders in Toronto has been an ongoing issue.

Riders on Yonge Street may have noticed that when their buses cross Steeles they do not pick up passengers waiting for TTC buses, even though they are all going to Finch Station.

Unlike the Viva Orange buses, however, those buses tend to be relatively full, meaning a similar change there is not in the cards, Mr. Dawson said.

Mr. Gordon agreed, but said something similar could be looked at for the Green line, which terminates at Don Mills station, down the road.

In the meantime, there seems to be no downside for York Region.

"This is a case of us filling empty seats and getting revenue in return," Mr. Gordon said.

Under the terms of the pilot project, TTC and YRT will split revenues 50/50; a benefit of 49-cents per passenger, or about $70,000 for the region's coffers.

As transit becomes more integrated across the border, the old double-fare system is becoming increasingly complex, however.

Already, the TTC and YRT have agreed those boarding the Spadina subway will only have to pay a single fare to travel to Toronto. They will still have to pay a second fare to board a YRT or Viva bus, Mr. Dawson said.

Fare issues are subject to an ongoing review, Mr. Gordon said and simply eliminating the fare boundary would cost both TTC and YRT money.

Some kind of fare-by-distance system could be implemented in the future, but tends to be best suited to rail rahter than bus-based systems, he said.

The policy is due to the license under which YRT operates, forbidding it from doing so and it will require an amendment to allow the pilot.

The pilot is set to launch in August, coinciding with the opening of York's dedicated busway.

Regional council votes on the proposal at its June 25 meeting.

York region - York-TTC deal in the works.

Ottawa arbitration update

2009-06-20T06:18:00.001-04:00

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 279 and Ottawa city council have agreed that there will be no more transit strikes or lockouts in the city of Ottawa.

No More Ottawa Transit Strikes

Both sides in future contract negotiations would not resort to a strike or lockout and unresolved labour negotiations would be settled by through arbitration. This agreement had to be voted on by the union membership.

The vote was scheduled to take place this week, but ran into a road block as a number of members requested the vote be delayed to give them more time to review the impacts of such deals. Union members say they want to delay the vote, until an arbitrator reports back on last winter's 53-day strike. The report is expected this summer.

The city has no-strike-no-lockout agreement its largest union, CUPE Local 503.

CUTA reports rider increase

2009-06-19T05:42:00.001-04:00

According to the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) transit ridership has showed an increase of 3.5% nationally for 2008.

The statistics showed an additional spike of riders the same time the economy started to fall into recession.

CUTA was originally founded in Montréal in December 1904 as the Canadian Street Railway Association. In 1913, it became known as the Canadian Electric Railway Association. In 1932 the name was changed to Canadian Transit Association. The present name was adopted in 1973 when the Association was incorporated in its current form.

Membership in CUTA is composed of 120 transit systems, along with 15 government agencies and 250 business members.

Related Links:
Canadian Transit Ridership Breaks Record Again in 2008

How to alter a DRT bus route

2009-06-17T05:55:00.002-04:00

I am going to tell you a secret on how to prevent a bus route from operating on your street. I hope Sandra Cassidy is paying attention.

Thanks to the Town Of Ajax, Durham Region Transit has permanently change the 240 Applecroft Monday to Friday AM PM, 240B Applecroft Monday to Saturday Midday and 282 Applecroft/Nottingham Monday to Saturday Evening, Sunday and Holiday routing. Instead of the bus operating over Old Harwood Avenue and Fishlock Street it has been altered to travel directly south on Hardwood Avenue North. The reason being that the town has installed speed humps and traffic calming on the above mentioned roadways. Buses do not mix well with them.

The Monday June 15, 2009 8:20 a.m. Applecroft was the last bus to travel on the old route. The new routing began on the same date with the 9:05 a.m. midday cycle. Thanks to the Town Of Ajax they have forced DRT to alter the route. Speed humps (bumps) play hell with the bus and passengers. It’s easy for passengers and the bus driver to receive injuries when passing over the humps.

It may be an incontinence to the people that now have to walk an extra distance to get the bus, but it is a win fall for DRT. First of all it forced the route onto more of a grid system. It has made the route 4,364 metres shorter and that is for one only one cycle. Do the math over a week, month or year and it adds up to savings for DRT.

So how did this all come about? It started on March 14, 2008, when the town staff mailed out a Traffic Calming Survey to all the property owners with frontage on Old Harwood Avenue and Fishlock Street. Residential support indicated the willingness of the resident’s to support this initiative. The project was done in consultation with Operations and Environmental Services, Fire & Emergency Services, Durham Region Transit and Planning and Development staff. After months of work the Town Of Ajax Council finalized the plan at a cost of $36,900. I am assuming that no one informed the residents that they would lose their bus route.

It’s interesting to note that all this started about the same time that a neighbourhood fight was going on about removing bus service around the Hoile Audley Road South loop.

Related Links:
Old Harwood Avenue Traffic Calming Implementation Plan
Old Harwood Avenue Traffic Calming Construction Award
DRT Customer Alerts

Vancouver streetcar demo

2009-06-12T08:30:00.001-04:00

Bombardier Transportation and Brussels Public Transport Company STIB (Société des Transports Intercommunaux de Bruxelles) are teaming up with Vancouver, British Columbia, to prepare for a streetcar demonstration project that will help the city provide public transit service during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

STIB and Bombardier are collaborating with Vancouver to ship two of STIB’s 100 percent low-floor Flexity trams to the city by sea in late 2009. In Vancouver, the vehicles will operate seven days a week on the demonstration line between January 21 and March 21, 2010, near Vancouver’s Olympic and Paralympic Village. The streetcars will run on an existing track the city is now upgrading to accommodate both the project and a possible future streetcar line. The line will be operated and maintained by Bombardier as a unique service for the city.

STIB’s 68 Flexity vehicles operate on significant parts of the Brussels 331-mile public transport network that serves more than 286 million riders each year. To further enhance its network, STIB commissioned an additional 102 bi-directional Flexity trams, including a firm order for 87 vehicles in January 2008. The new Flexity vehicles support the city’s efforts to curb traffic congestion and reduce CO2 emissions.

Related Link: The Olympic Line

GO Transit Niagara Falls

2009-06-10T07:44:00.001-04:00

GO Transit has posted the complete listing of Niagara bound train service. Click here to view it. The first train will begin operating on June 27, 2009.

Union Station to Niagara Falls

Union	6:30	9:40	16:15	20:05	22:30**
Port Credit	6:46	9:56	16:31	20:21	--
Oakville	6:57	10:07	16:42	20:32	--
Burlington	7:08	10:18	16:53	20:43	--
St Catharines	8:06	11:16	17:51	21:41	23:40**
Niagara Falls	8:29	11:39	18:14	22:04	00:05**

Niagara Falls to Union Station

Niagara Falls	8:50	12:20	19:20	22:15
St Catharines	9:15	12:45	19:45	22:50
Burlington	10:13	13:43	20:43	23:48
Oakville	10:25	13:55	20:55	00:00
Port Credit	10:34	14:04	21:04	00:09
Union	10:49	14:19	21:19	00:24

Related Link: Niagara Falls Tourism Official Website

Mississauga Transit feels the pinch

2009-06-09T06:13:00.001-04:00

The ridership counts on Mississauga Transit are down by about 6% . Routes servicing industrial areas have seen counts drop by 25%. The recession is taking part of the blame for the lower performance.

Meanwhile, in Toronto the TTC has seen an increase of 3% overall in the number of passengers carried. It is suggested that a fare increase freeze and and service expansion have made the difference.

A similar thing in the 1990’s recession occurred in Pickering. The Route 1 Industrial, used to carry standing loads of people heading to work. Thanks to the recession rider counts fell off and to this day they have never recovered.

How much money could you save by using public transit? Find out with the help of the Transit Savings Calculator.

Related Link: Mississauga gets off the bus

York Region rider increase coming

2009-06-08T01:24:00.000-04:00

A recent decision by York Region District School Board to eliminate more yellow school bus routes for high school students should bring good fortune to York Region Transit.

York Region Transit continues to expand it’s service and routes, it doesn’t make sense to have two publicly funded transportation systems.

It is expected that an additional 600 students will be using public transit next September to get to and from school.

Related Link: York region Public board cutting high school bus routes

New Flyer online warranty system

2009-06-06T06:11:00.001-04:00

Since New Flyer is the vehicle of choice at Durham Region Transit, this should improve the service department ability to keep buses on the road.

New Flyer Industries Inc. and New Flyer Industries Canada ULC (together, New Flyer) is offering its customers iWarranty, a new internet-based warranty lifecycle management system.

iWarranty users can manage and track all campaigns in real-time, eliminate paperwork by entering claims directly into the system, improve efficiency by responding with corrective action more quickly, receive payment faster as a result of reduction in processing time, and speed problem discovery with early warnings of possible product issues.

In addition, customers have instant access to electronic copies of their warranty information, can run pre-built and custom reports, view a history of past claims, track the status of warranty claims and parts requests on a bus-by-bus basis, and see the date the claims were paid along with the check number.

New Flyer provides a broad range of services, including customized maintenance information, service parts, on-site product training services, service support, product safety and compliance advice and engineering support for complicated projects

New Flyer unveils online warranty system - News - METRO Magazine.

No More Ottawa Transit Strikes

2009-06-04T12:00:00.003-04:00

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 279 and Ottawa city council have agreed that there will be no more transit strikes or lockouts in the city of Ottawa.This new agreement will continue to allow for collective bargaining. If that fails, both sides will go to binding arbitration. The city is still recovering from a recent 53 day strike, which took place at the height of winter.

This is a good deal for the city, union members and transit users. It’s not something that is agreed to easily. Usually in a labour dispute, only one side will want to proceed to arbitration. Getting them both to agree without government intervention is an important and outstanding significant achievement.

The closest that DRT and the CAW come to an agreement like this is a clause in the collected agreement which provides for Specialized Services no interruption to service during a strike or lockout. Of course this agreement is not worth the paper it is printed on. It would have to rely on goodwill from Durham Region and the union.

DRT - Canada Day Fare Increase

2009-06-03T07:37:00.002-04:00

DRT has started a program of keeping transit users informed of an up coming fare increase. Drivers have already started issuing the following business size card with info about the changes that will take place on July 1, 2009. Co-Fare is the only one with no increase. It sill amazes me as to number different fares that public transit needs. If you count the child under 5 years, you can see 18 different types of fares listed below.

One item not listed is the charter rates. Presently they are $86.00 per hour for weekday service and $102.00 per hour for weekend and holiday chartered service, plus applicable taxes. There is a 3 hour minimum. On July 1, 2009 the rates will be $89.00 per hour for weekday service and $105.50 per hour for weekend and holiday chartered service, plus applicable taxes. There is a 3 hour minimum.

Discount Pass Program For Employees

2009-05-21T15:10:00.001-04:00

The City of Mississauga will be conducting a experiment of allowing their employees to purchase a monthly transit pass at half the normal price. The project will start July 1st and will run for 18 months. Transit passes will be made available for sale at half-price, of $53.50 instead of $107. The plan is part of the Smart Commute program that is in effect within the GTA.

A similar program took place in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Known as the EcoPass, local transit increased ridership by an average of 45%, monthly bus pass sales by about 500%, and net revenues by 30%.

Saint John Transit, New Brunswick offers a 10% discount for companies with with more than 20 employees.

TransLink of Metro Vancouver in British Columbia gives employers of more than 25 employees up to a 15% saving on their purchase of transit passes.

Kingston, Ontario has the Transpass. Employees pay for Transpass through direct payroll deductions and will receive a discount of 10% on the monthly pass. Kingston Transit’s smart-card technology will automatically reloaded the cards when passengers scan their monthly My Cards on the fare box.

In Durham Region, the only similar discount would be the U-Pass for Durham College UOIT. It is different from other DRT passes in that it is not interchangeable and has a photo identification on the pass.

T union grieves ban on phones

2009-05-17T07:27:00.001-04:00

Using a phone while driving a vehicle is stupid, dumb and dangerous. When you ban something, there are always circumstances that make it seem as if it may be going a little too far. I don't agree with disallowing operators from even carrying cell phones. It pays to have one in emergency situations. It is a select few that screw it up for the majority.

Less than a week after saying it agreed with a ban on cell phones, the union representing MBTA drivers has filed a grievance against a rule prohibiting the practice.

The ban was proposed by management in the wake of a T crash apparently caused by a text-messaging trolley operator. Under a rule effective Monday, drivers will be prohibited from using or possessing a cell phone while on a T bus, train or streetcar.

Using a cell phone or other electronic device will be punishable by a 30-day suspension with a recommendation for discharge.

Possessing a cell phone or other device will be punishable by a 10-day suspension for the first offense and by a 30-day suspension with a recommendation for discharge for a second offense.

The union now opposes the policy because it doesn’t address the fact that most drivers start their shift in one place and conclude it in another, which would leave them no access to a cell phone to conduct everyday affairs on unpaid breaks, said Steve MacDougall, president of the Boston Carmen’s Union.

Secretary James A. Aloisi Jr. said in a statement: “I am sorry to learn that the Carmen’s Union has decided that the personal convenience of their members will take priority over public safety. This . . . grievance is, given the facts and circumstances, unconscionable and proves how out of touch the union is with reality.”

MacDougall stressed that the union still supports the prohibition of cell phone possession and use while drivers are working.

MacDougall said he suggested that drivers be allowed to carry cell phones in locked, orange bags that would be kept in plain view of passengers to prevent abuses, but the suggestion went nowhere.

Meanwhile, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office continued to weigh criminal charges yesterday against Aiden Quinn, the 24-year-old driver the T fired after he rear-ended a Green Line trolley last week, injuring dozens of people.

T union grieves ban on phones - BostonHerald.com.

Over The Falls In A GO Train

2009-05-16T04:57:00.000-04:00

The summer of 2009 will be a first for Niagara Falls and and GO Transit. Starting this summer trains will begin operating weekends and holidays between Toronto and the City Of Niagara Falls Canada.

Trains will make four round trips on each day of the weekends and holidays. A one-way adult fare between Niagara Falls and Toronto's downtown Union Station will cost $15.90. The Niagara train station is located 2.74 kilometres from Clifton Hill.

Don’t forget, bicycles are permitted on any GO Train on a Saturday, Sunday, or statutory holidays.

Related Link: GO even farther with your bike this summer

View Larger Map

Boston cell phone ban

2009-05-15T06:09:00.001-04:00

Just a few days after my post about “The Texting Bus Driver From Texas” there has been another transit accident related to an operator and texting. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) which operates bus, train, and subway were involved in an accident with a rail trolley rear ending another Green Line trolley.

A MBTA official has stated the operator, had been texting his girl friend at the time of the accident. Forty-nine people were taken to hospital but none of the injuries were considered life threatening. The operator suffered a broken wrist in the crash.

As a result of the accident, MBTA has implemented a zero tolerance policy on bus, train, and subway operators caught using a cell phone, iPod, or paging device while on duty. The transit authority has gone one step further and will ban their drivers from keeping electronic devices with them in a pocket, knapsack or handbag while operating a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority vehicles. If caught using any of these devices while on duty drivers face immediately suspension.

Breaking the rule by using any of the above devices will result in a month's suspension with a recommendation for dismissal, while merely carrying a phone will receive a 10-day suspension for a first offence.

Tough rules for tough circumstances.

Related Link:
MBTA unveils zero-tolerance cell phone policy

A bridge not too far

2009-05-12T06:13:00.003-04:00

The City of Pickering has just announced the construction of a high rise office tower. The building will be located on the north side of the 401 Hwy., close to Liverpool Rd., on Pickering Pkwy. Construction will begin in July 2009. The structure will be built to LEED Silver (green) standards.

Right about now, you have to be asking yourself, “what has this got to do with transit?”

According to The City Of Pickering, Metrolinx has designated the Pickering GO station as an Anchor Mobility Hub. The City intends to make this office tower the first one in Durham, that will have a pedestrian bridge spanning the Hwy. Of Heroes (401), with direct access to the a Go Station. The piers for the pedestrian bridge were built into the Highway 401 median areas as part of the widening of the highway through Pickering in the mid 1990’s.

For the construction, Pickering has set aside $10 million in the 2009 budget. They have also submitted an application to the Canada Infrastructure Stimulus Fund for Federal and Provincial assistance for construction.

The Liverpool Rd. bridge is located only 155 metres towards the west of the station. Regardless of this the pedestrian bridge still has it’s advantages. A “Kiss & Ride” could be established at the north end of the bridge, thus reducing traffic around the station. Stairs and and elevators at both ends will make it fully accessible for everyone. Cyclists will also be able to use it.

As for security the entire structure will be illuminated within and both internal and external illumination for the terminals. It will also be equipped with security video cameras and emergency phones.

Related Links:

More Drawings
Tower to Rise in Downtown Pickering

Return of the PCC

2009-05-10T06:48:00.006-04:00

The TTC continues to own and operate two PCC streetcars (Presidents' Conference Committee) for private charter use. Starting today (May 10, 2009) you will be able to ride on one for regular fare. The last two remaining cars will be pressed back into service on the 509 Harbourfront route from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. You will be able to see them there on every Sunday until September 6, 2009.

When I first started to work at the TTC I dove PCC streetcars out of Russell Division. The thing I remember most about them is how cold they were in the winter. Overnight the cars were parked outside and being construct mainly metal they really felt cold in the morning. It took hours for the driver’s compartment to warm up.

Here’s a little bit of trivial for you. Russell (Connaught) Division is the only TTC Division named after a person. All of the others are named after the street or area they were built on.

Related Links:

New info signs at Union St.

2009-05-09T01:16:00.000-04:00

According to GO Transit

on May 11, 2009 they will introduce new electronic gate signs in waiting areas and entrances to new train platforms 26 and 27, at the south end of Union Station. These signs will indicate to passengers when to proceed to track level and also display trip specific details.

Electric bus

2009-05-08T05:56:00.002-04:00

The 35-foot Proterra electric bus, was able to reach over 20 MPGe in fuel economy equivalency testing. The testing, was conducted by Pennsylvania State University. The testing validated that the bus achieves up to 400 percent better performance than present day conventional diesel or competitor's hybrid transit buses.

When it comes public transit, nothing is more flexible than a bus that runs under it’s own portable power source. New routes or extensions to existing routes, can be started up quickly and at much lower cost than an LRT. This is one of the reasons why we are seeing a push to manufacture electric buses suitable for commercial purposes.

Ten of the most polluted cities in America are located in California. This has caused the state has taken a high interest in the Proterra electric bus.

Locking Up Bus Drivers

2009-05-06T06:07:00.000-04:00

Here we go again with the way that politicians like to fight crime. It appears they like to lock up the law abiding citizens and permit the criminals to roam free. I am referring to the the bus driver’s plastic safety shields that are now being installed on TTC vehicles. This makes them the only transit system in Canada to use such shields to protect their drivers.

When it came to assaults, I was luck enough not to have experienced one. The worst thing that ever happen to me was to have passengers threaten me. I have seen the after effects on fellow employees that have been assaulted. The most unfavourable effects came from robbery at gunpoint.

So, is the driver shield the best way to go?

When implementing something new like this the TTC use a procedure of involving the union shop stewards and a trial bus at each division. The shop stewards drives the bus for a week in service then make themselves and the equipment available at the division. The drivers could then see it for themselves and fill out a questionnaire. This time they saw a protocol shield that had a top and bottom piece that the driver had the option of leaving open or closing it if they wished. Most of the drivers DID NOT like the idea of a shield but were only accepting it because there was an option to close it or keep it open. For those drivers who drove at night and felt safer with it closed, they could do so.

So even after all of the questionnaires and suggestions from drivers the TTC still went ahead with the installation. The ones they are installing on the new buses HAVE TO BE CLOSED (bottom portion only) because there is nowhere to latch them...apparently.

The other thing they did not like was that there was no "escape door" on the closed side of the bus. If someone threw a fireball or something like that into the closed area, the driver has no chance of escape. Anyone could also grab the drivers arm as they reached for transfers, or someone who wanted to, could reach around the shield and grab the driver and again there is no escape.

Don’t laugh at the fireball thing. In 1978 I was on a tour of the New York City subway fare collection. At that time the fare collectors worked in a booth the same as the TTC. There were problems with gunpoint robberies. The solution was to install bulletproof glass on the collector’s booth. With the intent of robbery at any cost, the crook showed up with his gun. The collector felt secure and pointed out that the booth now had bulletproof glass. The bad guy left and returned later with a container of gasoline. He proceed to pour the gas through the transaction hole and threw in lighted match.

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has also been testing the shields. Among the complaints are that the shields interfere with air circulation and create glare that interfere with the drivers using mirrors. Some large size drivers also say the shields make the operator quarters too tight. Other drivers are worried the shields would pin them in during a collision. Passengers also feel it's a block between open communications.

Recent incidents that could have been stopped include bricks and eggs being thrown through the front door at drivers and unruly riders punching, kicking or pepper-spraying bus operators. The safety shields also provide protection other than security. During winter, the barriers block cold air when the front doors open. The shields have help cut down on sick time off work. The shields serve as the equivalent of a sneeze guard at a salad bar.

Related link: ATU supports TransLink position
Mississauga Transit drivers demand greater safety

Biking to GO

2009-05-04T08:58:00.001-04:00

Good news for people who are able to bike to and from the local GO bus. The entire fleet of GO Buses is now equipped with bike racks. As part of its strategy to encourage cycling, GO Transit is also installing covered bicycle storage area in several stations by the end of 2009.

DRT expects to begin installing bike racks in the of summer 2009.

The Texting Bus Driver From Texas

2009-05-01T05:15:00.002-04:00

The Ontario Government is on the verge of banning cell phone use while driving. Check out the following video to find out why texting behind the wheel is a bad idea.

The driver and two disabled bus passengers were uninjured, but the woman driving the SUV never saw the bus coming and suffered neck and back injuries.

This would be a good opportunity for DRT and every other transit authority to grab this video and incorporate it into the driver-training program.

Feds & Provincial Government work together, Uh?

2009-04-30T15:57:00.008-04:00

Well, well. It finally happened… the Federal and Provincial Governments appear to be working together on the TTC’s latest streetcar replacement plan. Unfortunately it is not happening the way it should. After allowing the TTC to spend months of work accepting bids (twice) and then when it’s all over come out say there is no money available for the project. That’s a kick in the pants. It’s interesting to note, the money is there to build new LRT routes but forget about maintaining the existing routes. You gotta, just love those politicians and their political games.

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) released a study that shows an investment of one billion dollars in public transportation supports and creates 30,000 jobs in a variety of sectors. These jobs include positions in manufacturing, service, repair worker, drivers, crew, ticket agents and construction.

Related Links:
Flap over streetcar deal a disgrace
Transit Toronto

Thanks to Robert Mackenzie for the info at Transit Toronto.

Baird douses cold water on TTC contract for Thunder Bay

2009-04-28T15:05:00.003-04:00

THUNDER BAY, ON --- April 28, 2009 --- Just hours after the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) formally approved plans to buy new rail cars from Bombardier, federal Minister of Transport John Baird appeared to douse cold water on the deal.

Baird was quoted as saying the federal government’s priority was to create jobs now, while the Bombardier deal was a 10-year contract. The Minister further implied that the $1.2 billion dollar deal, the largest transit contract in Canadian history, may not qualify for federal stimulus funding. The transit contract depends on one-third financing from the federal government.

Thunder Bay Superior-North MP Bruce Hyer immediately requested a meeting with the Transport Minister. “Because of Minister Baird’s comments, I am deeply concerned that this contract may now be in jeopardy. Many people worked for months to put this ground-breaking contract together, and if the federal government doesn’t step up to the plate to do their part the whole thing may fall apart. This would put Thunder Bay jobs at risk,” said Hyer.

Hyer is also concerned about the lack of domestic sourcing requirements from the federal government. Canada is currently the only G7 or NAFTA country that does not have domestic procurement requirements of any kind on federal capital expenditures and transfers. While Toronto mandated a 25% domestic parts and labour requirement on the deal, Hyer recently introduced a private member’s bill in the House of Commons called the Made in Canada Act that would mandate at least a 50% domestic requirement on all federal infrastructure spending, including transit.

“If we want to get the most out of our stimulus spending, the federal government should make sure that spending goes to create Canadian jobs, instead of jobs abroad. And there never has been a better example of a project deserving of stimulus spending than this Bombardier – TTC deal. I will do everything I can to ensure the federal government honours its obligations.” said Hyer.

The following is an editorial from NetNewsledger.com

Thunder Bay, ON -- Editorial -- "We want to create jobs now. That's a 10-year contract," states John Baird, Canada's Minister of Transport. Baird's comments pour cold water on top of the confirmation Monday that Thunder Bay's Bombardier Plant won a contract to build the new street cars for the City of Toronto.

The TTC has a June 27, 2009 deadline in place to have funding in place. Baird is suggesting that the contract may not qualify for federal stimulus funding. At issue appears to be that the jobs will be created will last too long. Gee now doesn't that make sense? A job program that will create lasting jobs isn't in the interests of a government?

The federal Conservatives seem to have a love-hate relationship with Thunder Bay. When former MP Joe Comuzzi was in office, Prime Minister Harper was in Thunder Bay to welcome the former Liberal MP to the Conservative Party. There were trips to our city by the Prime Minister, including an unannounced trip to Nipigon that likely threw Harper's security detail into a frenzy.

The Prime Minister seemed to understand that Thunder Bay and all of Northwestern Ontario needed some extra help to get back on our feet.

The contract from the Toronto Transit Commission is one of the building blocks needed to make that happen. Baird in commenting that "We want to create jobs now. That's a 10-year contract," demonstrates the kind of poorly thought out strategy that politicially will make it hard for the Conservatives to ever make political inroads in Thunder Bay.

In a way, it is also, perhaps an admission that the entire economic stimulus package, putting Canada back into deficit is not really going to have any long-term benefits. Maybe that is why in an era where the focus has been on building a "knowledge-based economy" and building for the future has been replaced by the term "shovel-ready projects".

Perhaps it suggests that too many politicians are in the deep end of the leadership pool buy have not yet taken swimming lessons.

It will now be up to Thunder Bay's two NDP MPs, our two Liberal MPPs, our civic leaders and our residents to send the message to the Prime Minister on just how important this effort really is to Thunder Bay.

A few months back, NetNewsledger.com reported that fewer Canadians than ever were writing the Prime Minister. Perhaps right now, from Thunder Bay, that face offers an opportunity.

Canadians can write the Prime Minister, or any MP for that matter postage free.

My suggestion is that instead of emails, that people in Thunder Bay pick up a pen and paper and send a note expressing to the Prime Minister just how important this issue is to our city.

Here is the address:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Perhaps a few hundred hand-written letters will convince the Prime Minister that the time to act is right now. If you agree, share this with your friends. The time to act is right now. Let's go Thunder Bay!

James Murray
News Director

Baird douses cold water TTC contract for Thunder Bay.

Rail Safety Week

2009-04-25T06:36:00.001-04:00

Rail Safety Week runs from Monday April 27 to Sunday May 3, 2009. During this time period, Canadian Pacific (CP) and Canadian National (CN) railway companies will be conducting safety blitz operations across Canada. It will include crossing and rail property trespassing enforcement. Also, they will be taking the opportunity to further educate the public to deter risk taking behaviour.

Canadian Pacific Police Service (CPPS) officers will be conducting traffic enforcement blitzes at railway crossings and anti-trespassing patrols around rail operations in Toronto, Mississauga, Bowmanville, Whitby, Oshawa.

Pedestrians taking shortcuts across or tracks or walking along them can be unaware of an approaching train if they're listening to a MP3 player. There's no place easier to trip, slip and fall than a railroad track. Depending on the weight, it can take a train travelling between 90-100 km per hour almost to two kilometres to come to a stop.

CN has launched a safety website for children to mark the beginning of Rail Safety Week. Obie and his friends at www.cn.ca/obie .

This is a short list of areas you can except to see the blitz in action.

Toronto
April 27 - Trespass Enforcement - Campbell Ave at DuPont St. & Islington Ave at Bloor St.
April 29 - Trespass Enforcement - Campbell Ave at DuPont St. & Islington Ave at Bloor St.
April 30 - Trespass Enforcement - Yonge St. to Mount Pleasant Blvd at Shaftesbury & Islington Ave at Bloor St.

Mississauga
May 1 - Trespass Enforcement - Rear of 1290, Central Parkway

Bowmanville
April 28 - Trespass Enforcement - Go Transit Station
May 1 - Trespass Enforcement - Go Transit Station

Whitby
April 29 - Trespass Enforcement - Railway Property in Whitby

Oshawa
April 28 - Trespass Enforcement - Railway Property in Oshawa

Rail Safety Week Contest

2009-04-23T07:31:00.001-04:00

This is your chance to travel on Go Transit free for the month of June. The transit authority presently has a contest that will see three June adult monthly passes available to be won.

Here’s two links to get you started.

Rail Safety Week Contest

Contest Rules



It used to be that rail safety meant how to play it safe around trains to avoid personal injury. Smart things like things like standing behind the yellow line on the platform. That has all changed. Now of days it also means your own personal safety from crime. You must always be aware of your surroundings.

Lakeshore East Go Train Changes

2009-04-16T06:21:00.002-04:00
Effective April 27th, 2009, the following changes are being made to the weekday Go Train schedule.

The Oshawa 07:46 - Union 08:34 will now depart Oshawa at 07:55. This train will continue to make all stops to Pickering and then operate express from Pickering to Union, and arrive Union at 08:40.

The Pickering 08:18 - Union 09:00 will now depart Pickering at 08:25 and arrive Union at 09:07

The Union 07:43 - Pickering 08:08 will now arrive Pickering at 08:15. According to Go Transit The change has been made to maintain the accuracy of schedules.

All of the above info can be found on Go Transit’s web page. I hope those in charge at Durham Region Transit are paying attention and learn some techniques about notifying customers of schedules changes. DRT has a record of publishing schedules and then have passengers try to figure out what changes were made. In this case Go has accomplishing the desired aim of communicating with passengers.

Please visit http://www.gotransit.com/PUBLIC/en/news/whatsnew.htm for details.

GOing To Peterborough

2009-04-13T07:00:00.000-04:00
Presently Greyhound Canada operates bus service to Peterborough. The round trip fare from Oshawa is $29.60 plus tax. All that is about to change. GO Transit will be looking at a number of options on how to provide regular bus service to Peterborough. The service is expected to to start up in the fall of 2009. So far, there is no word on the amount of service or routing. The only thing for sure is that it will operate from the Oshawa Go Train Station. Go Transit did a study in 2006 and concluded the service would carry 125 to 275 riders per day. I don’t know if those figures are a one way count or total round trip. Looking at the low figures I can smell a red herring from the provincial and federal governments.

In the meantime, a study on the proposed Peterborough, Toronto commuter rail service has been fast tracked. A report is expected in the fall of 2009. I first posted my comments about the rail line back in February 28, 2009. At that time, the announcement made mention of a high speed rail line. That option can now be ruled out.

Issues being studied will be potential ridership, revenue, the best rail technology for the service, level of service, frequency of trains, current track conditions and the cost to build train stations. The main thing about the routing is that it will service the proposed airport in Pickering. Extending it to Peterborough will be a bonus.

Metrolinx silence

2009-04-07T04:36:00.001-04:00
Have you noticed how there has been very little screaming and yelling over the Metrolinx and Go Transit merger? Sure, after the Ontario Government made the announcement of the merger, Toronto Mayor David Miller made some noise but that was about it. Why did the local GTA politicians remain almost silent?

Premier Dalton McGuinty is the one that removed municipal politicians off Metrolinx and he will be the one that "appoints" a so called "civilian" board of experts. Will this prevent turf wars? The new Metrolinx board will be made up of up to 15 members. At the present time there is a Transition Advisory Board. It is made of twelve people.

To me Metrolinx has been slow moving and has achieved very little. In Durham Region we are still waiting for something concrete to happen with the Hwy 2 Bus Rapid Transit system. Durham Region Transit made the announcement on March 26, 2008 of the $82.3 million in funding for this so called "Quick-Win Project" from. Believe me, there's nothing quick about it.

Dalton McGuinty has shown that he is willing to take chances and annoy some people when making changes or improvements. The next stage to transit rest with the Ontario Government. Let's hope that things will soon begin to improve.

Improved notification

2009-04-06T03:08:00.002-04:00

The train is late. Beam us up.
Go Transit will be improving their communication with passengers. Commencing April 6, 2009 Go will notify customers when they anticipate that your train will be delayed by 15 minutes. This change from 30 minutes will keep you better informed about your commute.

I think, Go travelers would rather have a reliable train service, that can and will run on time.

Thunder Bay - "G" for Go

2009-04-05T06:17:00.001-04:00

Bi-level Go Transit coach.

The Provincial and Federal Governments made an announcement on Friday April 3, 2009. They both jointly promised $60 million in spending for 20 bi-level Go Transit rail coaches that will be purchased from the local Bombardier plan in Thunder Bay, Ontario. This is only part of the $500 million in joint federal and provincial funding commitments.

Another transit related item for Thunder Bay involves Porter Airlines that fly out of Toronto (Island) City Centre Airport. Starting in June 26, 2009 Porter will begin operating flights between Toronto and Thunder Bay. Coincidently Porter currently operates a fleet of 10 Bombardier Q400 aircraft. This plane is manufactured at Bombardier's Downsview plant in Toronto.

$1.3 million bus simulator

2009-03-31T01:12:00.000-04:00
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority uses a $1.3 million bus simulator to train new drivers and retrain experienced ones. The simulator uses 10 video screens and an assortment of knobs, switches, and levers to recreate the Boston driving experience.

The instructor uses a joystick called a rabbit to throw anything and everything at trainees and at experienced drivers in need of remedial help. Among the challenges are digitized mothers with strollers on the edge of the sidewalk, police blockades up ahead, distracting fights in the rear of the bus, pedestrians with headphones wandering obliviously into traffic.

Link to full story and video clip in The Boston Globe.

New Flyer - flying high

2009-03-30T01:07:00.000-04:00
Things are looking up for New Flyer Industries. They have just announced it earned $87.6 million profit in 2008. The majority of this increase is a result of higher production. Bus deliveries in 2008 totalled 2,164. That's up from 2007 deliveries of 2,003 units.

The next bit of good news for the company is that the Canadian Auto Workers main collective bargaining unit at the company's Winnipeg facility, have ratified a new collective agreement. It's a three year deal that extends to March 31, 2012.

New Flyer buses appears to be the choice vehicle, for public transit in Ontario. There should be no disruption to the delivery of new buses for some time to come.

Go Trains need better and reliable service

2009-03-27T11:43:00.001-04:00
The following letter appeared at newsdurhamregion.com. It has been a frustrating winter for Go Train passengers.

To the editor:

I have been relying on this service for the past nine years as I work in the financial district in the city and reside in Whitby. Where to begin? The service is outrageous. A monthly pass costs $224 for a service that most often, from early November to the beginning of April, can guarantee you a late arrival to work almost three times weekly and most certainly cancelled and delayed service home in the evenings, almost every evening. There are numerous reasons given for the poor or lacklustre service such as switch problems, mechanical issues, door problems, medical emergencies and fatalities.

The service has been significantly worse in the last two to three years. The frustration is incredible. GO Transit will publish statistics on how the trains are 88 per cent on schedule but in order to run a fair analysis I think one shouldn't include all the non-rush hour trains that run hourly on off-peak times. And please tell us -- the commuters who wait in the cold or packed into Union Station wondering how we will pick up our children from daycare -- when they simply cannot get the switches to operate due to the weather. This is Canada, it is cold here and always has been. But still, every winter it is the same old scenario that plays out and we are left waiting on the platforms for late and cancelled trains while our BlackBerries are sending us updates that are at least an hour behind.

Traci Mendez

NEXTbus Video

2009-03-26T03:27:00.000-04:00
This video gives a good explanation of the benefits of the NEXTbus tracking system.

Transit tickets sink with the kiosk

2009-03-25T11:23:00.001-04:00

Have you been to your local mall and noticed the empty lotto kiosk? Infoplace Ticket Centres Ltd., that operated the 177 kiosks across the country has declared bankruptcy. Not only did these booths sell lotto tickets but a number of them also sold transit tickets and passes. They have left a debt of $9.7 million.

The City Of Ottawa is one of the largest claims of $1,891,823,.40. Infoplace sold transit tickets and passes for the city. Durham Region has submitted a claim of $12,266.06. This is a small amount when compared to the City of Mississauga that has a claim of $599,006.46. The newspapers have cited higher figures but the ones I have published here are from the latest statement of claim. You view it here.

It looks like transit authorities have to be careful with their point of ticket sales. In the case of Mississauga, it appears transit did not following its own rules for collecting payment for tickets. Let's keep our fingers crossed that none of the major bus manufactures declare bankruptcy.

Related Link: City loses a bundle in kiosk collapse

TTC Nextbus Beta Testing

2009-03-19T07:31:00.001-04:00

The TTC continues testing it's latest online tracking tool, Nextbus. Still not ready for public use the web site had been leaked earlier this week. You can view it here... http://www.nextbus.com/predictor/stopSelector.jsp

The site is still in beta testing and the times shown are more than likely not correct. The site also provides links to other cities that have the system up and running. This will give you a better ideal as to how the TTC intends to use this customer service tool.

Just a reminder, that the City Of Guelph Ontario, has beat the TTC to punch in it's use of Nextbus technology.

Find the way

2009-03-13T01:00:00.001-04:00
By accident I came across a web page by Metrolinx. Go to findtheway.ca It is a portal for transportation information in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

You will find an interactive map for the regions and cites of the GTA. Dig further into the site and you will find information on public transit authorities, intercity transit, cycling and more. Click on any of the city or town links and you will find more information on local transit, plus info on hiking and cycling trails.

This web page is up my alley.

DRT labour bulls eye

2009-03-12T04:17:00.001-04:00

Last Sunday, DRT unionized employees of CAW Local 222 voted to accept the latest contract offer. After weeks of

negotiations a settlement was reached between the two parties. This round of contract talks turned out much better than the disaster of 2006 that lead to a one month transit strike. This time both sides aimed for the bulls eye and came up with a win, win situation for everyone.

Things turned out different, because Durham Region was not involved, directly with the contract talks. They stood their distance and left it up to General Manager Ted Galinis and his management team to work out a solution.

The new contract runs from March 1, 2009 to February 28, 2012. See you in three years.

It's not fare

2009-03-07T06:10:00.004-05:00
After the TTC changed it's tokens and eliminated adult tickets, counterfeiting is still alive and well at the farebox. The TTC is losing $22,050 per week because of counterfeit tokens. Some of these frauds are so well duplicated they are able to fool the sensors in turnstiles at subway stations.

Fare evasion is not just limited to the TTC . Durham Region Transit also suffers from improper fares but I always found, the vast majority of passengers using DRT or any transit are honest and paying full fare. The best fare system I worked with was the Ajax Transit smart card. Even though it's not foolproof, it was still a good tool for bus drivers. It worked well in Ajax and it will work well again when Metrolinx and DRT start updating the fare collecting system with Presto Card in the winter 2011.

Transit authorities that have upgraded have notice a increase in cash revenue. Anaheim (Calif.) Transit Network (ATN) claimed a twenty fold increase. Using vending machines, Presto Cards will be available in more locations that the present point of sale now used for DRT tickets and passes. Smart cards also will eliminate paper waste. This can be accomplished by the none use of tickets and transfers. We should also see less fare disputes like ones reported by Simon Tonekham on his blog.

Related Link: TTC taken for a ride

GAS TAX FUNDING for 2008/09

2009-03-06T14:35:00.001-05:00

Barrie $1,997,729

Belleville $721,825

Blind River $17,325

Brampton $7,248,122

Brantford $1,251,484

Brockville $219,520

Burlington $2,152,078

Chapleau $24,298

Chatham-Kent $891,567

Clarence-Rockland $264,032

Cobourg $190,227

Cochrane $34,949

Collingwood $162,974

Cornwall $558,868

Deseronto (Hastings) $17,434

Dryden $54,640

Durham Region $7,491,142

Dysart et Al $15,679

Elliot Lake $139,667

Espanola $15,188

Fort Erie $187,749

Fort Frances $78,588

Greenstone $15,807

Guelph $2,542,306

Halton Hills $158,328

Hamilton $11,119,297

Hanover (Arran Elderslie, Brocton, South Bruce and West Grey)$274,792

Hearst $42,685

Huntsville $70,544

Ingersoll $60,566

Kapuskasing $44,826

Kawartha Lakes $522,808

Kenora $151,436

Kingston $2,026,499

Lanark County $210,000

LaSalle $53,151

Leamington (Kingsville) $139,345

London $9,551,573

Loyalist Township $167,231

Machin $10,616

Meaford $49,976

Midland $114,289

Milton $333,077

Mississauga $15,873,893

Morris-Turnberry (Howick, North Huron and Huron-Kinloss) $59,915

Niagara Falls $1,143,256

Niagara Region $443,344

North Bay $1,164,852

North Perth $19,341

Oakville $2,343,559

Orangeville $277,254

Orillia $340,683

Ottawa $36,771,551

Owen Sound $274,841

Parry Sound $38,330

Peel $732,175

Pembroke (Laurentian Valley) $115,120

Perth East $79,304

Peterborough City $1,490,399

Peterborough County $44,684

Point Edward $24,392

Port Colborne $96,302

Port Hope, Town $149,528

Prince Edward County $66,094

Quinte West

(Brighton) $442,525

Renfrew (Horton, Admaston/Bromley and Whitewater) $185,233

Sarnia $928,453

Sault Ste Marie $1,165,205

Schrieber (Terrace Bay) $24,727

St Catharines $2,599,959

St Marys (Perth South, Thames Centre and Zorra) $59,791

St Thomas $437,414

Stratford $459,429

Sudbury (Greater) $2,767,697

Temiskaming Shores (Cobalt) $99,203

Thorold $252,780

Thunder Bay $1,912,687

Timmins $637,943

Toronto $164,068,790

Trent Hills $66,011

Wasaga Beach $79,800

Waterloo Region $8,756,641

Wawa (was Michipicoten) $6,434

Welland $566,524

West Elgin (South West Middlesex, Newbury and Dawn-Euphemia) $29,209

West Perth (was Mitchell) $45,932

Windsor $3,830,221

Woodstock $394,793

York Region $14,067,319

604 heading for repairs

2009-03-05T15:16:00.001-05:00

Go Transit's locomotive is in tow heading for body work and paint job. Thanks to guys over at GO Transit Locomotive Reports for the photo.

Too Much Money At DRT?

2009-03-04T00:43:00.000-05:00

Along with the regular routes DRT operates special student runs called High School Specials. These school runs follow a predetermined schedule and route. They normally operate directly to and from the high schools. The reason for the runs is to take the pressure off the regular service. The regular service is not sufficient enough to handle the high volume of student traffic.

Mostly part-time drivers have been used to operate the school runs in the past. The reason that part-time employees were used is that when there is a P.A. day, March Break, Christmas Break or exams, the work is simply cancelled and employees are either assigned other work or not used at all if other work is not available.

For quite a while now, many of the school runs have been covered by full-time employees as part of their 8 hour crews. This means that when the above mentioned school breaks occur, there are a lot more drivers sitting around on standby. Full-timers are guaranteed 40 hours of pay per week. An example of the excess cost is the March Break. During March Break the schools are closed for 6 days. In Ajax and Pickering there will approximately be 22 hours of dead time for the full-time drivers per each of the 6 days with nothing to do when they could be providing service on regular runs. If part time drivers were doing the school runs, there would be no wasted time as they are simply given other work or told not to report for the time that the schools are closed. Over a school year, this adds up.

It makes one wonder if DRT has more money than it needs.

Groundhog day for streetcar bid

2009-03-03T05:40:00.001-05:00

It seems to me that we have already done this before, but the TTC insisted on doing it again. Friday February 27, 2009 was the deadline for the contract bids on the TTC order for new streetcars. The initial order is for 204 vehicles. The total order is for more than 600 vehicles, and is worth an estimated $3 billion.

It looks like the bidding has come down to two companies... Bombardier and German-based Siemens. The Bombardier factory is located in Thunder Bay, Ontario. About 300 jobs over ten years, are up for gain or loss.

Get ready for mid-day service change

2009-03-01T04:32:00.002-05:00
Last Friday in the Pickering News Advertiser DRT ran a half page ad advising patrons of an upcoming schedule change.

Changes will be occurring mostly on the mid-day service. The buses as of March 9, 2009 will no longer depart the Pickering Go at 55 minutes past the hour. That time will be set back 5 minutes to a departure time of on the hour. The 101B Industrial has slightly different schedule. Presently it departs the Go at 57 minutes past the hour. This has been changed to 1 minute past the hour.

The departures from the Pickering Town Centre (PTC) have been set back 5 minutes. The buses will now depart at 30 minutes past the hour rather than the present 25 minutes past the hour. The 165 Bay Ridges - West Shore from the Town Centre will now enter the Go Station rather than bypass it on the way to Krosno Blvd. There are always calls to the 1/2 hour 915 Taunton from the 165 re transfers. These people now have a 25 minute wait. It is also interesting that the 165 now goes into the train station but has no additional time to do so.

The mid-day buses at the Ajax Go Station also have a change in departure times. Rather a 55 minute past the hour departure time look for a 5 minute past the hour. Also at the Ajax Plaza transit hub, buses will depart at 35 minutes past the hour rather than the present 23 minutes past the hour.

This change is a departure from the past policy of connecting passengers with the westbound train to Toronto. Now more emphasis is placed on connecting with the trains arriving at the Go Stations. If you are expecting to board a train you will have to catch an earlier bus and spend more time waiting at the station. The 235B mid-day gets into the station at 2 minutes after the hour and since it runs hourly the wait for a train will be almost an hour.

The links for the new DRT schedules can be found here... Ajax Schedule and Pickering Schedule. Just remember they do not come into effect until March 9, 2009. It will be interesting to see if DRT will offer an explanation as to why a schedule change was needed. There never really was much of a problem with train connections in Pickering. Two buses always cleared the station of late arrivals at 15 minutes past the hour. These buses were able to take the passengers to the PTC for connections on other routes.

I don't see how these schedules enhance the service. From my first impressions I think some people should be asking for property tax rebate. PS: There are also a few other changes and I will let you have some fun finding them or maybe this time DRT will publish hints to help you out.

Strike blocked; RTD, union go to arbitration

2009-02-26T03:05:00.001-05:00
This is an interesting news story from Denver, Colorado. The Regional Transportation District (RTD) supply public transit to Denver and Boulder, Colorado. After attempting to bargain a contract, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1001 and RTD failed to come up with a settlement. The union served notice to the Department Of Labor of intent to strike. The interesting thing here is that union argued to the Department against a strike and recommended that unresolved issues should be submitted to binding arbitration.
State labor officials ruled Tuesday that the transit workers union will not be allowed to go on strike when its RTD contract expires Saturday.

The decision of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment means that if the Regional Transportation District and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1001 fail to reach agreement on a new labor contract, unresolved issues will be submitted to binding arbitration.

The union delivered a "notice of intent to strike" to the labor department, but at a hearing Thursday, union officials said a walkout would affect the "public peace, health and safety" and strike authorization should be denied in favor of arbitration.

RTD officials argued the opposite — that a strike would be an "inconvenience" to transit users but not rise to the level of threatening public health and safety.

Advocates for the disabled supported the request to prevent a strike.

In Tuesday's ruling, senior labor department official Michael McArdle agreed with the position of the union and advocates for the disabled.

"I have concluded that a strike by the ATU would in fact interfere with the preservation of the public peace, health and safety," McArdle wrote. The "request to strike against the Regional Transportation District is denied."

McArdle ordered RTD and ATU to submit names of arbiters who might decide unresolved contract issues between the parties.

"I'm just glad that they gave us this option," Local 1001 chief Holman Carter said of the ruling.

"We really want to sit down at the table with RTD," said Carter, whose union represents about 1,900 RTD employees. "This saves our riders the concern and worry of a potential strike."

The union had said it was looking for a "modest increase in wages," while RTD management has proposed a three-year freeze in wages.
Strike blocked; RTD, union may go to arbitration - The Denver Post.

Do Ostrich birds and politicians really bury their heads in the sand?

2009-02-25T02:04:00.001-05:00

MPP Mike Colle is proposing a bill that would impose a fine of up to $50,000 for anyone carrying a weapon onto a public transit vehicle. He is also looking for a two-year sentence for anyone who commits an act of violence against a transit employee or passenger.

One needs to look no further than David Miller and city council banning of guns to see the comparison between the Ostrich and politicians. The violence is now spreading from the streets to the transit system. There is no mention if politicians are planning to crackdown on the large number of murders that are plaguing the city.

Related links:

MPP wants big fines for guns on transit

MPP Wants Zero Tolerance Law

Police: TTC shooting motive 'ridiculous'

Police retrieve handgun in TTC bus shooting

Toronto Transit Union supports greater penalties

Filling transit jobs

2009-02-22T07:07:00.001-05:00

Just a short follow up of my post of February 16... Shortage of driver's in a recession? The Coast Mountain Bus Co. in greater Vancouver, British Columbia had been holding a job fair seeking 500 new bus drivers. As it turned out there was no shortage of applications. There were 1,500 applications submitted. This was about three times more than normal and was on top of the 1,800 applications for the month of January.

Back in November of 2008, the CMBC at that time had been looking to hire 70 mechanics over the next year. As turned out there was a shortage applications within Canada. In turn the company has found success in recruiting bus mechanics from Jamaica.

Build it and they will come

2009-02-17T15:17:00.004-05:00
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and and Premier Dalton McGuinty arrived on a Go Transit locomotive to make an announcement at a news conference. Their announcement stated, that to combat the global economic slowdown and boost Go Transit, they will invest in constructing and restructure parking lots. Regular readers of this blog know my feelings about Go Transit and parking lots. Anyway it it looks like a done deal. Let us hope the Feds don't follow their past track record of making a commitment and then hanging on to the cash.

Stephen Harper being a true politician, continued to play games. At GO Transit’s Willowbrook Maintenance Facility, where the photo op took place the locomotives normal face east. The Prime Minister insisted that for him, it must face west. The locomotive had to be operated to the Via yard, turned around and brought back facing west. After he left, the reverse was done to get it back to the correct position. This only strengthens my previous post about politicians and transit.

Will the present free parking continue? GO Transit chair Peter Smith has not ruled out fees for parking at the garages. Build it and they will come, but you need a reason for them to stay.

Station Project $ Amount Present Parking Spaces
Ajax Parking Structure $30,200,000.00 1,841
Aurora Building Rehab/Parking Rehab $1,250,000.00 769 parking spaces: (190- main lot; 382- west lot; 197-east lot)
Mount Pleasant Parking Expansion $1,100,000.00 611
Bramalea Parking Expansion $1,350,000.00 2,150 parking spaces: 1,500-main lot; 650-south lot
Centennial Parking Structure $14,000,000.00 178 parking spaces (behind Markham Centennial Community Centre)
Unionville Parking Expansion $1,500,000.00 810
Cooksville Parking Structure $30,500,000.00 1,458
Erindale Parking Structure $30,000,000.00 770
Oakville Parking Structure $30,500,000.00 2,724 parking spaces (1,854- north lot; 458- south lot; 32- leased north lot behind McDonalds opposite GO Station; 200- Davis Road & South Service Road lot; 75- 222/224 Cross Ave; 105- 530 Lyons Lane)
Markham Parking Expansion $700,000.00 266
Pickering Parking Structure $30,500,000.00 1,958 parking spaces (1,205- main lot; 753- least lot E. of station & north on Sandy Beach Rd.)
Rouge Hill Parking Expansion $1,500,000.00 1,041 (5 64- north lot @ 6200 Lawrence Ave. E.; 500 east lot- south lot)

Shortage of driver's in a recession?

2009-02-16T05:49:00.001-05:00

When it comes to finding good people to drive buses, let’s recognize this is not an easy job. Some riders may scoff, but the requirements for operating TTC vehicles are actually quite rigorous. Successful candidates must transport us safely on roads that are often congested (and lately, full of potholes).
News reporter Ed Drass has an article at Metronews.ca regarding the shortage of drivers at the TTC. The transit company can't seem to keep up with demand for transit operators. The union that represents a majority of TTC employees (Local 113 of the Amalgamated Transit Union) has an all time high membership of about 9,400.

So why would the TTC have a hiring problem with a recession going on? Is because the hiring standards are to high? How many people do they turn down that really want the job? Is it because some new employees can't take the nitpicking discipline that the TTC dishes out?

The labour shortage is also occurring with school bus companies as they struggle to fill runs. DRT also has it's problems. There have been a number times when supervisors have been sent out to drive buses. It's nothing new. This has been going on for years. It's not due to a shortage of applications being filled out buy people that want to work for Durham Region Transit. I think it has more to do with the strangle hold that the Ivory Tower has on transit.

The shortage of drivers is just not limited to the GTA. If you look to Greater Vancouver region in British Columbia a hiring spree is going on there. The Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC) already has 5,200 employees and 3,350 of them are bus drivers. CMBC is seeking 500 new drivers to cope with rising demand for public transit in Vancouver.

The opening quote at the top of this post is true. Not everyone one is cutout to be a transit driver. I know that I was never happy working inside a factory or an office. I always liked driving a bus and working with the public. It was the perfect job for me. If you are interested in getting into the transit industry I highly recommend it. You have to be able work strange sifts. Most of the shifts are two piece. You will find yourself working the the morning rush hour, then returning later in the day to drive in the PM rush hour. The job is not physically demanding but it can be stressful. Give it a try, it just might work for you.

Metrolinx improvements on the way?

2009-02-15T06:48:00.009-05:00
I have never been a fan of Metrolinx. Most of their proposed projects are nothing more than a rehash of transit expansion plans that were proposed decades ago. Now the Toronto Sun has suggested that Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty is ready to do a shakeup at Metrolinx.

I have always felt that there were too many politicians sitting on the Metrolinx board. Nothing gets public transit managers more confused than politicians. Ask any of them what the politicians want and the most common answer you would get is they wish they knew. There used to be a time when the TTC's commission was made up of members from various parts of the community. There were people that represented business, labour etc. When it was taken over by city councillors things began to change. It was a change that could be felt right down to the rank and file.
One of the influential groups lobbying for a change in governance structure at Metrolinx is the Toronto Board of Trade.

President and CEO Carol Wilding said the board structure needs to evolve following the release last fall of its $50 billion regional transportation plan, The Big Move.

Similar transit planning groups in other jurisdictions have developed implementation boards that rely heavily, and in some cases totally, on private experts with the necessary background to carry through with major infrastructure projects, she said.

We've been advocating heavily that you really need to leverage private sector experience," Wilding said. "It is critical that that governance body has to be one whose priorities are really focused beyond election cycles and any changes in political agendas."
Maybe changes are really going to happen. Contracting out transit is working for York Region. Will contracting out the board of Metrolinx give us something that exceeds what's being delivered by a politically motivated board? We will just have to wait and see what the Ontario government has in mind.

Transit not essential

2009-02-12T04:50:00.001-05:00

According to Transport 2000, the federal labour relations board ruled against transit being declared an essential service. After a lengthy strike in Ottawa, the ruling was made because the Canada Industrial Relations Board received submissions from concerned citizens requesting that OC Transpo be made an essential service. The city and the union also made submissions to the Board.

The Board determined the strike posed no immediate and serious danger to the safety or health of the public and therefore OC Transpo service fails to meet the criteria to be deemed essential.

David Jeanes, president of Transport 2000, said transit in the city "is absolutely essential. It's essential for the necessities of life, it's essential for employment, it's essential for productivity," said Jeanes. "People have lost their jobs, people's health is jeopardized, students are having their academic studies jeopardized, we've got cases of elderly people having to walk great distances just to live their lives," the Sun reported.

Meanwhile back in Durham Region, the Canadian Auto Workers Union and Durham Region Transit, entered into negotiations on January 27, 2009. The contract expires on February 28, 2009. It is to early to make any predictions. Lets hope that things turn out better than 2006 when there was a lengthy transit strike in the region.

Go Transit is going loco

2009-02-11T00:55:00.000-05:00

On February 10 Go transit announced it has placed a order worth $85 million for 20 more MPXpress diesel locomotives. This an option on an original order for 27 600 hp locomotives, which are now in service. The locomotives are to be built at MotivePower's plant in Boise, Idaho, for delivery in late 2009 and 2010.

How much transit can you buy?

2009-02-10T04:29:00.001-05:00

A number of transit advocates are calling for the federal government's economic stimulus incentives, to be used towards construction of transit projects. How much will will $30 billion, plus deficits starting at $5 billion next year really buy? According to Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier it costs about $15 million on average to build a kilometre of light rail line. That does not including the cost of extras such as railcars and stations. That works out to about 2,333 kilometres of light rail transit line that could be laid.

The TTC has said that the Sheppard East LRT would cost $800 million, including vehicles. That's up from the March 2007 cost of $555-million. This project will more than likely end up with a price tag of over a billion dollars. Let's get started before it's too late.

Station	Project	$ Amount	Present Parking Spaces
Ajax	Parking Structure	$30,200,000.00	1,841
Aurora	Building Rehab/Parking Rehab	$1,250,000.00	769 parking spaces: (190- main lot; 382- west lot; 197-east lot)
Mount Pleasant	Parking Expansion	$1,100,000.00	611
Bramalea	Parking Expansion	$1,350,000.00	2,150 parking spaces: 1,500-main lot; 650-south lot
Centennial	Parking Structure	$14,000,000.00	178 parking spaces (behind Markham Centennial Community Centre)
Unionville	Parking Expansion	$1,500,000.00	810
Cooksville	Parking Structure	$30,500,000.00	1,458
Erindale	Parking Structure	$30,000,000.00	770
Oakville	Parking Structure	$30,500,000.00	2,724 parking spaces (1,854- north lot; 458- south lot; 32- leased north lot behind McDonalds opposite GO Station; 200- Davis Road & South Service Road lot; 75- 222/224 Cross Ave; 105- 530 Lyons Lane)
Markham	Parking Expansion	$700,000.00	266
Pickering	Parking Structure	$30,500,000.00	1,958 parking spaces (1,205- main lot; 753- least lot E. of station & north on Sandy Beach Rd.)
Rouge Hill	Parking Expansion	$1,500,000.00	1,041 (5 64- north lot @ 6200 Lawrence Ave. E.; 500 east lot- south lot)