Quote:Notable changes or features of the recommended plan which address public feedback received in April 2015 include:

• An additional 204 iXpress stop on Ottawa Street North, to improve connections to the revised Route 23 Idlewood;
  
• Shifting the proposed alignment of Route 23 Idlewood near Stanley Park Mall, to improve transfers between routes by reducing the walk between stops and continue to provide service along Holborn Drive;
  
• Additional 200 iXpress stop at Parkside Drive and Northfield Drive, to build ridership patterns for ION and improve transit access to North Waterloo Industrial
  Park.
  

(05-22-2015, 05:52 PM)Markster Wrote: The final GRT service improvement plan is out.  You can find it in the Planning and Works Agenda:
http://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/regionalGovernment/resources/AF/FA2015-0526.pdf

(05-23-2015, 08:29 PM)Pheidippides Wrote: Are they planning to use the existing stop on Queen at Mill, near Joseph Schneider Haus, since it already has a shelter with wiring? The current map and previous committee report shows the stop west of Mill, but the previous map (inset) shows it east of Mill. It would seem even more ridiculous to have a stop for the 204 west of Mill and a separate stop for other routes east of Mill.

(05-25-2015, 08:42 AM)MidTowner Wrote: I also brought up this stop location when input was requested (after the stop location was pointed out here), and I'm frustrated that, in the improvement plan recommendation document, their response to the Queen/Courtland stop request was: "In order to provide faster service on the iXpress, staff are reluctant to add too many additional stops; after implementation, other stop locations will be reviewed if required."

That definitely mischaracterizes the request. I know that I was very clear that I suggested moving the Mill stop, not adding a new one. They identify the feedback, but do not justify their decision to place it at Mill. They also identify the feedback about 204 that there are too many stops (apparently 6 people identified this as an issue), but don't make any attempt to respond to that. There may be some really good reason for choosing Mill (I'm not sure that existing stop infrastructure qualifies), but they haven't said what it might be. Stop spacing alone suggests it's not quite right- the trip generators near Courtland make it a no-brainer to me.

(05-25-2015, 10:19 AM)Markster Wrote:

(05-25-2015, 08:42 AM)MidTowner Wrote: I also brought up this stop location when input was requested (after the stop location was pointed out here), and I'm frustrated that, in the improvement plan recommendation document, their response to the Queen/Courtland stop request was: "In order to provide faster service on the iXpress, staff are reluctant to add too many additional stops; after implementation, other stop locations will be reviewed if required."

That definitely mischaracterizes the request. I know that I was very clear that I suggested moving the Mill stop, not adding a new one. They identify the feedback, but do not justify their decision to place it at Mill. They also identify the feedback about 204 that there are too many stops (apparently 6 people identified this as an issue), but don't make any attempt to respond to that. There may be some really good reason for choosing Mill (I'm not sure that existing stop infrastructure qualifies), but they haven't said what it might be. Stop spacing alone suggests it's not quite right- the trip generators near Courtland make it a no-brainer to me.

All things I brought up in a letter I sent to my Kitchener Regional Councillors.  The frustration level is high in me.

Please do write a letter of your own!

For their part, Tom Galloway has at least acknowledged receipt of my letter.   My 1000 word long letter, with various images too.

(05-23-2015, 03:10 PM)Markster Wrote: Well, the placement of the Queen 204 stop at Mill instead of Courtland has driven me completely off the wall, and I've put up some posters calling on the community to request a move of the Mill stop to Courtland.

I simply have a hard time thinking of any justification for their preferred stop placement.  At best Mill St means that the bus stops somewhere that it doesn't obstruct cars turning left from Courtland on to Queen St.

The benefits of putting the stop at Courtland, meanwhile, are significant.
1) It has more even stop spacing
2) There are a dozen existing high-density housing buildings, including 2 seniors homes, within a block and a half's radius.
3) It allows for transfers to the #8 (Fairview via Courtland)
4) Jubilee Dr is the gateway to Victoria Park
5) Much future development is planned for this corner (Arrow Lofts 2, Barra Castle, Benton St lands)



Please do share my facebook photo, or RT me to spread awareness of this error in the making.