UD2
Active Member
LRV trains are perma linked. You can't just take one out.
LRV trains are perma linked. You can't just take one out.
That's horrible, US style service!
Aren't they going to automate this thing to bring down operational costs? I know under Miller that would have offended his pro-union sensibilities but surely that can't be an issue with Ford?
Yes, you can. It's LRV's coupled together.
12 minutes off peak is far more frequent than many US systems. I think it's not frequent enough, but it's hardly "US style".
Why would you spend money to automate a system that isn't going to be more frequent than 5 mintues?
The line will be equipped with ATO. It's going to be pretty damn efficient especially if the frequencies are planned to be 6 min peak. and 12 off peak.
What is your rationale for automation resulting in cost-savings? Just because a train has no driver doesn't mean you save on labour. You're still going to need people to watch the trains in a control centre, highly trained employees to maintain the computers, and a maintenace staff that will need to be trained to repair and fix highly complex systems.
Steve Munro muses that person may just be confused:Steve Munro just got more info about the project.
Here's an interesting tidbit about proposed frequencies for the line. Service level seems to about as good as a moderately used bus line for TTC standards.
In response to a question about the level of service riders might see, a Metrolinx official replied that there would likely be 3-car LRV trains running every 6 minutes at peak, 12 at off peak. Metrolinx needs to understand that “rapid transit” is not the same as a GO train every hour. On a route where the average journey will likely be under 20 minutes (few will make the 45 minute trip from STC to Jane), long headways will contribute substantially to the trip length and to a perception that service is less than adequate. There’s a reason why the TTC runs subway trains every five minutes whether they are needed or not.
Steve Munro muses that person may just be confused:
"Steve: Or equally likely, the person answering the question didn’t know what he was talking about."
I'm not optimistic, but I hope Mr. Munro is correct. Those quoted intervals do not impress, for a main subway trunk.
to be fair, I'm sure the reduced frequencies will shave a fair amount of money from servicing, especially considering a 3 car LRV has plenty of room for the ridership, by the time the passengers disembark from their bus, and head down to track level they'll only be waiting around 3-4 minutes at peak.
Because Metrolinx is paying for the design, and the design influences and is influenced by the headways. Thus, Metrolinx should have a good idea of what standard they need to build to and willing to share the info, while the TTC has more at stake in telling the public a figure that might not be realised.Why do we care about the Metrolinx opinion on headways, when the line is to be operated by the TTC?
Because Metrolinx is paying for the design, and the design influences and is influenced by the headways. Thus, Metrolinx should have a good idea of what standard they need to build to and willing to share the info, while the TTC has more at stake in telling the public a figure that might not be realised.