09-15-2021, 01:24 PM
(09-15-2021, 11:08 AM)danbrotherston Wrote:(09-15-2021, 10:40 AM)ijmorlan Wrote: 68? That can fit on a single double-decker SuperLo, according to a page from Metrolinx:
https://blog.metrolinx.com/2020/09/08/th...nd-beyond/
And the trip between London and Kitchener can be done in about 1¼ hours:
https://goo.gl/maps/kw9fh5L9f9r57Lwe9
So while I’m a big fan of trains, it’s obvious that this service should be implemented with buses to start, and only switched to trains when a suitable combination of track upgrades allowing comparable travel time and ridership increases justifying running a train take place.
Hang on a moment, I didn’t consider intermediate stops. If I force the route to go through Stratford, travel time goes up to a bit over 1½ hours while distance is almost the same. OK, so actually my point still stands. We use trains because they are higher capacity and/or faster than buses; it makes no sense to have a train which is lower (used) capacity and slower than a bus.
Given the lower operating costs of buses vs. trains, they could literally run three buses (London -> Toronto: fast), (London <-> KW express), and (London - St. Marys - Stratford - Kitchener).
While busses would probably be better for this, if they did trains, I would say have a train or two run from London to kitchener or Guelph, and have the same train go back and forth during non peak times. Have one or two peak trains go to Toronto,
But yes, that 3 route plan would probably be better to attract ridership.
One thing to note, I saw they will not install presto in London/st Mary's/Stratford, so even if you have a presto card you need to buy a single ride ticket.