GO Transit: Service thread (including extensions)

[crs1026]

I'm glad they know that free parking isn't sustainable - after all, I've been writing about the problem for a while - but I don't think they're ready to actually start doing something about it. The purchase and demolition of several properties in Downtown Brampton for a new parking lot means they're still committed to it for now.

I hope at least they are thinking through what the "line in the sand" ought to be, ie where does the garage building stop.

One always wonders how long it takes for one side of a bureaucracy to notice that the other side has changed the plan.

- Paul

 

[TOareaFan]

Metrolinx is actively planning for a garage at Bramalea. I believe they recently issued the design contract for it.

They issued a document dealing with another re-design of the whole station.

Hopefully they are willing to consider options that include moving the whole thing further east so that CN can't block trains from getting in there

 

[DonValleyRainbow]

They issued a document dealing with another re-design of the whole station.

Hopefully they are willing to consider options that include moving the whole thing further east so that CN can't block trains from getting in there

I would like to see Bramalea shifted northwest to connect better with future rapid transit on Steeles. Worrying about CN is kinda moot in the long term if we're building them a bypass.

 

[TOareaFan]

I would like to see Bramalea shifted northwest to connect better with future rapid transit on Steeles. Worrying about CN is kinda moot in the long term if we're building them a bypass.

I guess I speak from a perspective of over 30 years of hearing that "X" is needed to bring full service and then when "X" happens we hear that "Y" was also needed....so I am not that impressed with a) waiting another 10 years and b) an "agreement in principle" to discuss building them a bypass.

 

[rbt]

One always wonders how long it takes for one side of a bureaucracy to notice that the other side has changed the plan.

Many companies have a planning/development side that submits things to an implementation group (marketing, sales, etc.) Development can change plans years and years before the implementation side runs out of pre-approved items.

It wouldn't surprise me if the Metrolinx assembly line is half a decade long. A strong board/management can change directions rapidly but a weak board/management just lets low level guys do whatever is next on their pile.

 

[cbrown2009]

I guess I speak from a perspective of over 30 years of hearing that "X" is needed to bring full service and then when "X" happens we hear that "Y" was also needed....so I am not that impressed with a) waiting another 10 years and b) an "agreement in principle" to discuss building them a bypass.

Agreed. I've actually taken in recent times to watching the corridor for freight traffic in the evenings and weekends and so far, I don't see a reason why hourly evenings and weekends service can't go in now. Why CN (if they are the villain here) would need three and four tracks through the corridor between Bramalea and MP, while other parts of their infrastructure is only 1 track, is a mystery to me. Again, very cursory observation done simply with my own eyes but I'm stymied. And getting more impatient by the day as I see this infrastructure continue to sit empty.

I know I've said all this before but the more I think about the half-billion $$$ investment in the corridor for the UPX, that we don't have at least hourly service 7 days 18-20 hours/day to/from Mount Pleasant is upsetting.

 

[rbt]

I know I've said all this before but the more I think about the half-billion $$$ investment in the corridor for the UPX,

You'll be really frustrated when you find out the actual price of UPX + Georgetown South + Davenport Diamond.

TTC at times has some pretty crappy capital project management but at least they have some idea of what they're buying for a $2B project with regard to service on day #1 after construction is complete.

 

[TOareaFan]

I know I've said all this before but the more I think about the half-billion $$$ investment in the corridor for the UPX, that we don't have at least hourly service 7 days 18-20 hours/day to/from Mount Pleasant is upsetting.

1/2 Billion (actually I think it was a little less than that) only represents the amount specifically for UPX....that was done as an add-on to the $1.3B investment called the Georgetown South Project. ("GTS")

 

[joet00]

I need to head downtown on Sunday and have discovered there are no trains on the Barrie line this weekend:

https://twitter.com/GOtransitBR/status/906291157797400576

Then delays thru Rutherford on Monday:

https://twitter.com/GOtransitBR/status/908767213485793281

Aside: Does the UT Forum software allow embedding of tweets? Tried but failed miserably.

I'm all good with the temporary inconvenience in anticipation of tangible service improvements...soon. I recall mention that 2WAD weekday service is hoped for January 2018.

Any thoughts as to what we can expect to see in January? 75-minute headways to Aurora (as we have on weekends today)? Or will the current construction allow a better service-level...maybe 60-minute service? Beyond Aurora perhaps (since the 66 and 68 now go to East Gwillimbury)?

Also, what infrastructure improvements would be required to provide 30-minute service to Aurora (or beyond)? Just to match the current 30-minute headways south of EG that trains would likely replace. I know operating costs are a factor as well...but am just asking about the infrastructure. Would be nice to avoid the negative reaction seen on the Stouffville line (30-minute buses replaced by 60-minute trains).

 

[Megaton327]

Also, what infrastructure improvements would be required to provide 30-minute service to Aurora (or beyond)? Just to match the current 30-minute headways south of EG that trains would likely replace. I know operating costs are a factor as well...but am just asking about the infrastructure. Would be nice to avoid the negative reaction seen on the Stouffville line (30-minute buses replaced by 60-minute trains).

For 30 minute service, I'd imagine that all stations would need to have two tracks and two platforms--30 is a little tight to make do with just one platform. There would probably need to be two tracks the entire length of the corridor (well, up to Aurora, if that's where 30-minute service terminated)--again, occasional double-tracked sections work fine for hourly, but for 30 minute service it might be a bit tricky, and the difference between the minimum feasible amount of double tracking vs. full double tracking would probably be minimal.

On the Stouffville line, the big issue is that it added a transfer. On the Barrie line, passengers coming from the north end of Newmarket, East Gwillimbury, Bradford, or Barrie already had to transfer buses at the Newmarket GO Bus Terminal. If trains terminate at Aurora as most weekend trains currently do, then yes, it does present a minor inconvenience to riders in southern Newmarket having to take a bus or drive to Aurora, but that's a small percentage of the line's passengers, and many Newmarket residents already tend to drive to Aurora due to parking. In Markham, there are a huge number of riders north of Unionville GO, all the way out to Stouffville, and there was no transfer required for them before, and now there is. If the 30 minute buses were replaced by 60 minute trains on Stouffville, that would be an entirely different situation--yes, reduced frequency and sometimes slight travel time increases, but an insignificant issue compared to also having a bus ride+transfer.

 

[crs1026]

Hourly is about all that can happen on the Barrie line until there is double track from Strachan to York University, yes. Also don't forget the crossing at grade with CP at Davenport. A 30 minute headway would mean a GO train crossing that diamond every 15 minutes, which would be unacceptable to CP. Lastly, there is the promise ML made to Davenport residents limiting the number of diesel trains per day, ie until the line is electrified. Realistically the Davenport project and electrification must both be completed before headways can be reduced. I forget whether the recent RFP for Davenport included doubletracking between St Clair and Sheepard, or whether that's a separate work package that hasn't begun procurement. Any single track stretch remaining will be a constraint to scheduling.

- Paul

 

[Admiral Beez]

I was thinking of leaving the car at home and taking GO to work. My office is near Hurontario and Lakeshore in Port Credit. I figure I could take my bicycle from Cabbagetown to Union, grab the a train at 7:15am with the bicycle (GO website says bikes on trains are okay in AM westbound from Union and PM eastbound to Union) and then cycle to work from Port Credit station.

Only downside is the cost, over $12 a day with Presto Card. With 250 working days a year, that's over $3,000 a year. Seems a bit much. Still I might try it in the winter when traffic is bad and forgo the bike for a local transit.

 

[Megaton327]

I was thinking of leaving the car at home and taking GO to work. My office is near Hurontario and Lakeshore in Port Credit. I figure I could take my bicycle from Cabbagetown to Union, grab the a train at 7:15am with the bicycle (GO website says bikes on trains are okay in AM westbound from Union and PM eastbound to Union) and then cycle to work from Port Credit station.

Only downside is the cost, over $12 a day with Presto Card. With 250 working days a year, that's over $3,000 a year. Seems a bit much. Still I might try it in the winter when traffic is bad and forgo the bike for a local transit.

I believe bicycles are prohibited in all areas of Union Station during rush hours. I have seen transit enforcement escort people off the property with bikes regularly.

 

[TransitBart]

I believe bicycles are prohibited in all areas of Union Station during rush hours. I have seen transit enforcement escort people off the property with bikes regularly.

There is no UNION bike locker?

 

[Admiral Beez]

I believe bicycles are prohibited in all areas of Union Station during rush hours. I have seen transit enforcement escort people off the property with bikes regularly.

I'd say they're allowed, since the allowable bike rules below wouldn't work if you can't get the bike into Union.

http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/travelling/cycletogo.aspx

11. BIKES ON TRAINS
GO Trains are bike-friendly, too. You can always bring your bike aboard, but not when it’s super busy—like during rush hour time.
So, here’s when you CAN and CAN’T bring your bike on board a GO Train.

When you CAN:
Weekdays anytime—except during rush hour times (refer to CAN’T section below )
Saturday, Sunday, and statutory holidays

When you CAN'T:
Rush hour time:
Trains arriving at Union Station between 6:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Trains leaving Union Station between 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Note: Bikes are permitted on trains during rush hour if you’re travelling in the opposite direction of rush hour.