GO Transit: Service thread (including extensions)

[reaperexpress]

To be fair the bus trips in question are replacing train trips on the 3 lines with active construction on rail expansion, predominantly during time periods when there are currently no trains at all (so construction can proceed unimpeded).

However that doesn't explain the continued lack of frequent 407 service, counter-peak Kitchener train service, LSW + Kitchener peak express service, etc.

 

[ShonTron]

I would have liked to see scheduled Route 25C buses added (rather than operated on an ad hoc basis) as that route has crowding issues too. GO would know when the crowding occurs by now.

 

[LNahid2000]

3 full busloads on this morning's 9:53 Niagara bus. I don't understand why they won't run trains. It's going to be insane by May 24 weekend.

 

[Bordercollie]

3 full busloads on this morning's 9:53 Niagara bus. I don't understand why they won't run trains. It's going to be insane by May 24 weekend.

3 double decker loads is only 200 people. 12 car train is like 5000...big difference.

 

[Tristen]

3 full busloads on this morning's 9:53 Niagara bus. I don't understand why they won't run trains. It's going to be insane by May 24 weekend.

There is still hidden demand. I will go there If and only if a non-stop bus is printed on the schedule.

 

[reaperexpress]

3 double decker loads is only 200 people. 12 car train is like 5000...big difference.

200 people choosing to take a service scheduled for 2h40h including a transfer to a slow bus, may well correspond to 800 people on a direct train scheduled for 2h10. Remember that ridership is also heavily influenced by the quality of service offered, and casual riders have a strong preference for direct trips and for trains rather than buses. The option to conveniently carry a bike aboard also attracts many riders who wouldn't take the indirect bus.

 

[Undead]

A 12 car bilevel train is ~1,700 seated, not 5,000. If they run an L6, that's 750-850 people which is right on the money given the induced demand outlined by Reaperexpress.

 

[Tristen]

Even more demand if GO add a stop near Rainbow International Bridge

 

[LNahid2000]

Even more demand if GO add a stop near Rainbow International Bridge

I ended up crossing the bridge on my bike...it's only a 5 minute ride from Stanley/420.

By the way, they ran 2 express and 1 local bus for my trip. Took the same time as the train but less convenient and comfortable of course.

 

[reaperexpress]

A 12 car bilevel train is ~1,700 seated, not 5,000. If they run an L6, that's 750-850 people which is right on the money given the induced demand outlined by Reaperexpress.

They traditionally run 8-car trains on the Niagara service of which 3 are bike coaches, so without actually working it out, my guess is a capacity around 900 or so.

Last summer I took a trip to Niagara on a random weekend and the train was 12 cars, and nearly full (well over 1000 people on board). It was a fiasco at Niagara Falls station. Niagara Falls Transit / WeGo had 3 articulated buses waiting to connect to the train (in addition to the variety of normal buses at the bus terminal) and after cramming them absolutely full there were still over a hundred people left behind at the bus stop. I would expect demand this year to be even higher, as long as they actually run the service.

 

[innsertnamehere]

The Niagara Falls Official Plan mentions long term plans for a people mover between the casino / falls and the train station - I wonder if that is something more so that should actually be considered soon if Niagara GO service continues to be popular. Something like the Detroit People Mover or PRT in Morgantown WV or something.

 

[Northern Light]

There appear to be some schedule changes for the K-W, Barrie and Stouffville corridors on April 26.

I had a quick glance, and couldn't see much difference w/o comparing times, but I thought I'd flag it so someone might take the time to see what's going on.

 

[innsertnamehere]

when should we expect the next possible significant service change? Early May?

 

[Northern Light]

when should we expect the next possible significant service change? Early May?

The province can't legally hold a political presser for GO once the writ drops, to my understanding, that gives them til April 30th, I know there's a big increase planned, I had thought it would be early April, but obviously not.

I'd still be surprised to see the Tories pass up a chance for a good news announcement, but we'll have to see.

May 1st is a Sunday............

 

[innsertnamehere]

The province can't legally hold a political presser for GO once the writ drops, to my understanding, that gives them til April 30th, I know there's a big increase planned, I had thought it would be early April, but obviously not.

I'd still be surprised to see the Tories pass up a chance for a good news announcement, but we'll have to see.

May 1st is a Sunday............

could always be an announcement on Thursday April 28th or something with service starting on May 2. They do typically announce service changes several days in advance.