Not sure who I trust more to operate it... HSR nor Metrolinx will want to run frequent service. It's a shame the HSR has lost all its operational expertise in the last 70 years when the TTC has managed to keep an edge over everyone. All I know is that whoever operates it must do better than GRT right now; the ION sits at 15-minute frequencies most of the day. The King-Queenston-Main corridor can easily sustain 6-8tph, if not more at peak.
It would absolutely be run by the winning consortium. Staff could still unionize however, like what happened to the privately hired staff for the Ottawa LRT.
For that reason, maybe keeping it straightforward and letting HSR operate it is the way to go. Metrolinx putting in a third party, with themselves already being an outside player just won't bode well locally. BLAST does indicate the goal is 10-minute frequencies across the network, and I can't see them diverting from it as it's such a basic plan there Isn't much to screw up. I would also place some faith in HSR that if they get familiar with LRT operations, expansion of the rest of BLAST will be more palatable to city residents than if Metrolinx, the 'big bad GTA corporate agency' operates it. Likewise, if HSR screws up, MX can probably just take it over. I can't see it going the other way, though.
This is getting ridiculous now.
If it seriously takes till 2030 I want to see serious improvements made to the plan. Politicians continue to play games with Hamilton, and the city is doing nothing on the transit front to speed it up. If it takes us a decade still, then we best expect a full B & A-Line LRT. I could make a whole Christmas list of how the transit situation here could be fixed beyond just one line.
The longer construction takes on the line, the greater the likelihood it will be cancelled or scaled back (ie: from McMaster to Queenston Circle again). There's no chance we'd see any improvement to the line.
Hopefully with Horwath elected there will be meaningful change to the HSR, because that system has been a laughable joke for decades. Maybe they'll you know, actually finally build that 2nd bus garage they've been talking about since forever.
You mean the one that they finished the EA for in 2020, and got funding for last year?
That they also have full funding for. The Bus garage is going to happen, and sooner than many think.You mean the one that they finished the EA for in 2020, and got funding for last year?
Dan
Yup that's the one.You mean the one that they finished the EA for in 2020, and got funding for last year?
Dan
I'll believe it once the shovels go in the ground. Excuse my skepticism, i've seen too many clown shows with Hamilton infrastructure projects (in specific the LRT, supposed bus station improvements, and Confederation GO station).
Would the new garage enable better service somehow? I’m not entirely familiar with the role they play in the scheme of things.You mean the one that they finished the EA for in 2020, and got funding for last year?
Dan
More garage space means more buses. More buses, ideally, means more service. Sometimes the service is underfunded and not enough operators are hired to drive all the new buses.
