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Canadian Urbanism Uncovered

Merger is a GO, support the DRL, bikes on more buses

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In this post, I touch upon three different pieces of news in the local transit scene.

The biggest news so far this week in transit has been the announced takeover of GO Transit by Metrolinx, by virtue of provincial legislation (PDF). This transforms Metrolinx from a “big vision” planning authority to a bona fide transit operator. With it though comes many changes that might prove to be controversial.

Politicians will not sit on the new board (which will be headed by former University of Toronto and TorStar president Rob Prichard), instead it will be filled by yet-unnamed “experts” in planning and transport, similar to recent developments at Vancouver’s equivalent, Translink. Language in the bill also appears to promote the use of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for new transit projects, seen either a successful strategy for transit expansion (the soon-to-open Canada Line in Vancouver) or a troubling development (Highway 407, Brampton Civic Hospital). Andrae Griffith has an interesting take at Metronauts, while Steve Munro has a very different view. 

The name GO Transit, now 42 years old, will still live on as a “brand” for the regional rail and bus services operated by the greatly expanded Metrolinx organization. Personally, I think GO Transit has a lot of work to do still in customer service; the recent, poorly implemented fare hike (approved with less than 24 hours notice and disproportionately raising the cost of short trips) is just one example of issues at GO that also include service unreliability and poor communications. Though on several corridors, one can see improvements taking place.

It is hoped that when Metrolinx takes over GO, it does not let day-to-day operations slide while planning for the future. Of course, an affordable, fair, integrated fare system should be key for properly transforming GO Transit from a parking-dependant, commuter rail service into a true regional system bringing all the Toronto area communities together.

The people behind the Downtown Relief Line have started a petition with the intention of keeping momentum going for this planned new subway line. Despite some concerns, the DRL would not conflict with other planned transit improvements, but is seen as its supporters as the means to serve areas without rapid transit and prevent overcrowding of key existing transit assets. The petition, online here, was put up by TRAC (Transportation Regional Action Committee) with help from the DRL Action Committee and some Toronto city staffers.

Finally, with bus racks now on most TTC buses, other Toronto area transit systems have followed suit. In addition to new bike storage shelters, GO Transit has been adding bike racks to its coach buses – the Toronto-Hamilton bus the first route accepting bicycles, but this year, one should expect an increased rollout of the program. And upon arriving in Hamilton, the avid bike rider will find nearly all H.S.R. buses equipped, particularly useful for avoiding the climb up Hamilton Mountain. Brampton Transit is the latest system to add bike racks on its buses, the first system toadd bike racks under Metrolinx’s cheesy-sounding “Bikelinx” program. The racks will be available for use starting this summer, and interface with equipped TTC routes at Pearson Airport and Humber College.

Photo by Archangeli

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14 comments

  1. Thanks for linking to our DRL petition. If people can also put their comments as well as e-signing it.

    Those bus bike racks…numbers of times I seen buses with them in the past year…thousands.
    number of times I seen those bus bike racks being used…0/ZERO.

    No, do not use the “weather” excuse, Summer 2008 I didn’t see a single bus being used.

  2. As a cyclist, the buses used to not even exist in my mind as a viable option to aid my transport. Slowly, things are changing make the bus as convenient as a subway in this department.

    When cyclists can expect to have every single bus at their disposal with the racks, we might see a tipping point where they become heavily used.

    A concern I have is the delays that loading a bike brings. You have to tell the operator you’re going to do it, then pull down the rack, put in your bike lock it into place, then get back on the bus. Repeat when getting off. I hope it doesn’t end up throwing the schedule off.

    I’m hoping this whole thing comes off as a success rather than a waste of money, but we’ll just have to wait and see.

  3. The problem with them last summer was that very few routes were official bike rack routes despite many buses being equipped with bike racks. If it’s not an official route then you have to get an operator who is trained AND sympathetic. The only GO routes that are open for bike racks is the Hamilton route, despite the vast majority of the fleet being equipped – and word on the street is that operators have been told not to let people use them outside of the Hamilton route.

    Bottom line, it’s more of a case of “you’re not allowed to use this yet” than people not wanting to use them. I know I want to use them and will be using them on a daily basis – a 20 minute walk on either end of my commute will become a 4 minute bike ride on either end (and no car needed).

    As for throwing off schedules, it takes about 35 seconds from the time the bus stops to the time you’re getting on board and paying your fare.

  4. I agree Miroslav, i’ve also not seen ONE bike on those bike racks. People are too much on the “go” to waste their time to prop down that rack and insert their bike. They need a quicker access rack maybe on the side or back.

    Also, wouldn’t it be great to have racks on streetcars aswell??

    Sincerely,
    DRL Supporter

  5. re: Bike rack delays.

    I somewhat disagree. On TTC busses, novice users can take quite some time to fumble with the bike racks but once you are familiar with them it takes no more than 15 seconds to load or unload. Much less time than it takes for a customer in a wheelchair to board the bus.

    On GO routes, the time it may take to unload your bike isn’t that important since it takes so long to collect fare with the current system that there will still be a line of people waiting to board the bus by the time you’ve ridden away on your bike. (This may work differently on limited stop routes that travel between stations, but for services like the Oshawa Hwy. 2 route or the Lakeshore line train-meet bus to Newcastle, stops are frequent like local transit but paying fare takes so long that the busses are massively slowed by customers paying their fare and receiving change at each stop.)

  6. Miroslav: Just this morning, 9:00 AM March 31st, I saw a bicycle on the Jane bus’ rack. Other days this winter, I saw bicycles on those racks. Sorry, but just about every day this winter, I saw bicycles on those racks.
    Now that spring is upon us, I expect to see more and more.
    As for the streetcars, once they get the new low-floor LRV’s, you will be able to board them with your bicycle, without steps.

  7. I’ve seen people use the TTC bike racks on various routes. Islington, Dupont/Annette, Jane, Dufferin, etc..etc..

    I have personally used the GO bike racks a few times to go to Hamilton (though I ride up the mountain, thankyouverymuch!). I’m looking forward to this service expanding this summer, as it will greatly expand bus+bike possibilities.

  8. Never seen a bike on a TTC or GO bus either. Mind boggles to why bikes have never been allowed in the bins underneath the GO buses, out of the weather, and out of the way. Neither system’s racks do me any good: I move E/W across the city at Bloor or Lake Shore during rush hours like many, and none of the TTC buses match my route: never mind that I can cycle as fast.

    I’d like to see one car on each subway train emptied of half of it’s seats, and made into a bike car. Not holding breath. Neither should I hold my breath for the ‘bike station’ at Union announced how long ago? Without secure storage at the other end of my trip, for another bike, it would do me little good anyway. Guess I should buy a folder.

    Bus bike racks: I smell boondoggle.

  9. I’ve seen the bus bike racks in use quite a few times. Not necessarily enough times to think them a good investment but it may indeed be one of those ‘tipping point’ situations.

  10. We’ll get there.

    Folks have yet to tune in to the low price of travel using your bike, buses, light rail, subway and ferry. You can go to Hamilton and West Niagara for a day or two and return for $20-$25. The family can take the subway on the weekend to bike in High Park for under $10.00.

    Get right on it!

  11. Very happy about the bike racks on the GO. Frustrated that they decided to put them on the front. I have no interest in loading my new Tri bike on their and have a pebble take a punch in my aluminum. Would you put your suitcase up there?
    Too bad it wasn’t thought all the way through.
    Glad that they are there for the majority who couldn’t care less about a little road debris.

  12. i just called GO transit and they said all the buses will have bike racks (holding 2 bikes max) will be official as of april 25th.

  13. I used the Don mills Bus with the rack, both drivers stated they have never had a bike on board before, one driver wished that prams could go on the bike rack.

    I think any bus with rack should be used, the driver is a jerk if s/he states “you’re not allowed to use this yet” te driver does not need any training other then the ability to read

  14. Typically places where I have wanted to do a TTC and bike combination commute, the TTC bus has been one that either does not have bike racks on it yet, or does not reliably have racks on that bus on that route, which means if I go out planning that trip its a crapshoot.

    As for the racks on the front of buses, I think its the best position for the driver to be able to see the bikes – put bike racks on the back of buses and you would risk theft.

    I was slow loading my bike the first time I put it on a bus as I managed to catch the arm in the spokes; I suspect there may be delays as new riders get used to them.

    Just yesterday I took my bike on a streetcar (glad there is space to just bring on board after rush hours!) after the second flat tire in inclement weather.

    I think having bike racks on buses will encourage more bike commuters even if they don’t use the racks often, it will give them a sense of security if things go wrong with the bike there is a plan B!