Metrolinx: Other Items (catch all)

[wopchop]

Totally agree with you, and I think Metrolinx does too since the Simcoe Station (tracks under Union) concept really hasn't gone anywhere.

And to be fair, Lakeshore West/East all stop trains are already run as a through service. It simply is not marketed that way.

 

[Allandale25]

Crossposted from the Northland thread.


Metrolinx and Ontario Northland are partnering. News release:

Pilot Project to Attract New Ridership from Cottage Commuters
July 27, 2018: Metrolinx and Ontario Northland will be piloting a combined weekend service this August to give visitors to the Muskoka Region and North Bay a convenient, comfortable way to take transit and avoid traffic delays.

Every Friday from August 3 to September 3, the 5:35 p.m. Barrie train out of Union Station will meet with an Ontario Northland bus at Allandale Waterfront GO Station. The bus will continue on to serve Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville and North Bay. The return bus trip will operate at the end of the weekend, whether it’s the Sunday or holiday Monday, and connect with a Toronto-bound GO train at Aurora GO Station.

One ticket will provide transportation on both the GO train and the Ontario Northland bus. Tickets can be purchased at ontarionorthland.ca. Instead of tapping a PRESTO card on the GO train, customers will simply need to show their ticket when requested.

“This service is ideal for those commuting to cottage country,” said Corina Moore, President and CEO of Ontario Northland. “We are lining up our services in an effort to create a seamless, convenient connection for our passengers.”

“This partnership with Ontario Northland is an exciting opportunity for us to help our customers get to where they need to go,” Metrolinx CEO and President Phil Verster said. “Whether they’re vacationing or visiting family, we are giving the GTHA more options to travel better, faster and easier.”

By creating connections, Metrolinx and Ontario Northland are making better use of the province’s public transportation network.

-30-

For media inquiries please contact:

Rebecca McGlynn, Director of Marketing and Communications
rebecca.mcglynn@ontarionorthland.ca
Tel: 705.472.4500 or 1.800.363.7512 ext. 529, cell 705.845.8005

Schedule from the release:

 

[Richard White]

Crossposted from the Northland thread.


Metrolinx and Ontario Northland are partnering. News release:



Schedule from the release:

Awwwwwwwwwwwww but I wanted a GO train all the way to North Bay

 

[jje1000]

"For all it's faults"...I'm absolutely no fan of REM, as anyone who reads the VIA sting would know. I've posted scathing articles and links, and used the term "seized" for the Mount Royal Tunnel, but I completely stand behind my gist: In the absence of government coffers financing (let alone being able to finance) the many begging needs of transit in this nation, private venture capital will have to fill the void. Whether one likes it or not, there's little choice on this.

Private investment in metropolitan transit isn't even a completely new thing as well- many cities' transit systems were started up by private companies (think New York's IRT & BMT, or even our Toronto Street Railway, which started the streetcar system).

I think that the main difference nowadays is that private transit has lowered returns for public transit systems, so it tends to be governments spearheading and directing transit expansion, over private initiatives.

 

[EastYorkTTCFan]

Private investment in metropolitan transit isn't even a completely new thing as well- many cities' transit systems were started up by private companies (think New York's IRT & BMT, or even our Toronto Street Railway, which started the streetcar system).

I think that the main difference nowadays is that private transit has lowered returns for public transit systems, so it tends to be governments spearheading and directing transit expansion, over private initiatives.

People also like to forget that the older lines on the London Underground were all built by private companies to, which is one of the reasons why some of the transfers between lines are farther apart than others.

 

[steveintoronto]

Private investment in metropolitan transit isn't even a completely new thing as well- many cities' transit systems were started up by private companies (think New York's IRT & BMT, or even our Toronto Street Railway, which started the streetcar system).

I think that the main difference nowadays is that private transit has lowered returns for public transit systems, so it tends to be governments spearheading and directing transit expansion, over private initiatives.

Agreed on all points. Make no mistake, I'd love it if it was supplied by public means, but those days are going or gone. The sooner this is accepted, the sooner we can involve private investment in a larger way with *controls* that suit all concerned. Again, as much as I wish it were otherwise, London, with one of the most developed transit systems in the world (and now Crossrail, something London has done brilliantly after massive disasters with the Underground P3 tries) is showing very good results with the buses privatized, while the public sector, with private initiative in many cases, concentrates on the heavy lifting like rail. TfL is not to be confused with Network Rail, which is continuing disaster in many ways. For those not familiar, TfL is Transport for London, now involved in snapping up many of the Network Rail franchises into London as well as owning existing ones within London.

To be continued, would appreciate further input from you!

 

[steveintoronto]

Crossposted from the Northland thread.


Metrolinx and Ontario Northland are partnering. News release:



Schedule from the release:

That got me truly excited for new distance cycling opportunities, until looking at the times. Day tripping impossible with those times going out, maybe usable coming in.

As for bikes, haven't found if they will carry them on that route, but found this, it might be virtually same:

ONTARIO NORTHLAND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION - Cyclists




Transportation for Toronto cyclists! Ontario Northland's Bike Bus departs from the Bay Street Terminal and Yorkdale on Friday afternoons to head north to Barrie, Orillia, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, ...
Transportation for Toronto cyclists! Ontario Northland's Bike Bus departs from the Bay Street Terminal and Yorkdale on Friday afternoons to head north to Barrie, Orillia, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, and North Bay. The bus returns Sunday afternoon. Bike transportation is free the weekends of July 29-31, August 12-14 and August 26-28.

Image with caption: "Transportation for Toronto cyclists! Ontario Northland's Bike Bus departs from the Bay Street Terminal and Yorkdale on Friday afternoons to head north to Barrie, Orillia, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, and North Bay. The bus returns Sunday afternoon. Bike transportation is free the weekends of July 29-31, August 12-14 and August 26-28. (CNW Group/Ontario Northland Transportation Commission)". Image available at:http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20110811_C3191_PHOTO_EN_2075.jpg

SOURCE Ontario Northland Transportation Commission

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releas...ortation-commission---cyclists-521667471.html

 

[Neutrino]

Given how scattered cottage country is, how do they expect people to get from the bus to their cottage? Presumably they will be relying on family members picking up and dropping off the commuters.

 

[SaugeenJunction]

Given how scattered cottage country is, how do they expect people to get from the bus to their cottage? Presumably they will be relying on family members picking up and dropping off the commuters.

Yup! I have many friends who have cottages who work for the summer in Toronto, who take the Barrie GO to Allandale Waterfront GO then get their family to pick them up. Beats driving up the 400 12 times out of 10.

 

[Northern Light]

Given how scattered cottage country is, how do they expect people to get from the bus to their cottage? Presumably they will be relying on family members picking up and dropping off the commuters.

Pick/drop off is one likely possibility, as noted above. But I can think of three other logical integrations.

In respect of cottagers, it would be pairing up w/car rental and carsharing services. Currently the latter are almost completely absent in cottage country, but this is niche right down that alley.

Avis is the owner of Zipcar, While Enterprise is also in the carshare business, pairing w/local rental services and having some cars stored at the train stations would make sense.

The other angle, I think, is not cottages but resort goers.

Think about all the people who might use a place like Deerhurst, but either can't drive, don't own a car or don't want to drive.

The logical thing there would be a shuttle service that hits 2-3 resorts running out of one or two key stations.

 

[SaugeenJunction]

Pick/drop off is one likely possibility, as noted above. But I can think of three other logical integrations.

In respect of cottagers, it would be pairing up w/car rental and carsharing services. Currently the latter are almost completely absent in cottage country, but this is niche right down that alley.

Avis is the owner of Zipcar, While Enterprise is also in the carshare business, pairing w/local rental services and having some cars stored at the train stations would make sense.

The other angle, I think, is not cottages but resort goers.

Think about all the people who might use a place like Deerhurst, but either can't drive, don't own a car or don't want to drive.

The logical thing there would be a shuttle service that hits 2-3 resorts running out of one or two key stations.

Exactly. Fun fact, Casino Rama used to operate a Toronto-Casino Rama passenger service using GO trainsets and CN crew in 1996. Casino Rama even had its own train station! Pictures and more on that here.

Casino Rama train station:

 

[44 North]

Whoa that's neat. Had no idea.

 

[Kitsune]

Has anyone heard of parkbus.ca ? They offer service from Toronto to Algonquin and other campsites via bus, and allow bikes and pets too. This almost seems a competitor to this.

 

[steveintoronto]

Has anyone heard of parkbus.ca ? They offer service from Toronto to Algonquin and other campsites via bus, and allow bikes and pets too. This almost seems a competitor to this.

Never heard of them! Reading their site now, they also do Elora and Webster Falls. Elora would be excellent, as a cyclist, the trail back to Cataract is supreme, and this will save cycling up from Guelph to get there. From Cataract south is a bit of a challenge, but heading to Georgetown by picking up the Caledon Trailway south of Cataract is good riding to catch GO back into Toronto, or Mt Pleasant for the last train back into TO at approx 4 PM. (Weekdays only for train)

Incredible heads-up!

Upon further thought, for the price charged one-way ($35 each), we can rent a van with driver, three of us pay $25 a piece, and Bob's your driver.

For a single outing though, I'll consider that.

 

[Northern Light]

Has anyone heard of parkbus.ca ? They offer service from Toronto to Algonquin and other campsites via bus, and allow bikes and pets too. This almost seems a competitor to this.

I'm not sure that's a fair statement.

GO is operating the same service it does now, not a new or different service.

ON already has Toronto-NB by bus.

Parkbus does not serve NorthBay

There is incidental overlap in the muskokas.

But Parkbus is targeted at campers, and get you to campgrounds in provincial/national parks w/o a car.

While this service will not enter any parks.