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Ooh, concrete pads being installed at stops around Bridge/University! With the grid-ification of the 202 and 6, there are many people doing bus transfers here. The southbound #6 stop (pictured) I've seen to be quite popular, even though it hasn't had any kind of facilities. People are often sitting on the grass or on the sidewalk.
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(08-26-2016, 03:39 PM)Markster Wrote: Ooh, concrete pads being installed at stops around Bridge/University! With the grid-ification of the 202 and 6, there are many people doing bus transfers here. The southbound #6 stop (pictured) I've seen to be quite popular, even though it hasn't had any kind of facilities. People are often sitting on the grass or on the sidewalk.
I have in the past been very surprised by the lack of even a concrete apron on the #6 route. This surprise is only increased in the light of the temporary reroute my of the #7 getting concrete pads. I can only assume the ridership on the #6 has increased dramatically.
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519
Fairview Mall Transit Terminal $2,000,000 August 2, 2016
University of Waterloo Transit Plaza $2,531,000 August 2, 2016
Northfield Drive Transit Facility $775,000 January 1, 2017
iXpress Station Development $3,535,000 August 2, 2016
Blockline Station Development $2,000,000 August 2, 2016
Vehicle Replacements $12,000,000 August 2, 2016
(08-23-2016, 11:13 AM)Markster Wrote: I think they mean literally building ("developing") bus stations/platforms.
The list basically reads as "GRT's Capital Plan for 2016/2017"
Which would mean that "iXpress Station Development" is probably referring to the Ottawa iXpress platforms/shelters.
The "Block Line Station Development" would be the bus loop and station at the ION station there, which I guess was not part of the ION project agreement. How are they going to spend $3.5 million at the Ottawa street stop, it is one of the least used stops that I have seen.
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Isn't there an iXpress route planned for Ottawa Street? Presumably this money would go toward the platforms for that route.
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08-28-2016, 11:52 AM
(This post was last modified: 08-28-2016, 11:52 AM by mpd618.)
There's also still no shelters for the 204 iXpress.
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(08-28-2016, 11:48 AM)jamincan Wrote: Isn't there an iXpress route planned for Ottawa Street? Presumably this money would go toward the platforms for that route.
Yeah I just read through the future plans. I thought the current LRT stop there would already have shelters in place. Seems like a lot of money for a couple of more bus shelters
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(08-28-2016, 11:54 AM)darts Wrote: (08-28-2016, 11:48 AM)jamincan Wrote: Isn't there an iXpress route planned for Ottawa Street? Presumably this money would go toward the platforms for that route.
Yeah I just read through the future plans. I thought the current LRT stop there would already have shelters in place. Seems like a lot of money for a couple of more bus shelters
It's bus platforms and shelters for all of Ottawa St. Probably 30 platforms and shelters in all.
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New GRT fare cards could disadvantage the poor
Honestly, most of the problems in this don't seem difficult to solve. If the cards cost 60 cents, then subsidize a whole bunch of cards for free. Don't have a minimum deposit. Give reload devices to social services. Turn T.R.I.P. and other discounted fares into specific categories that can only be "turned" on at social agencies that people are already using.
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08-30-2016, 04:35 PM
(This post was last modified: 08-30-2016, 04:37 PM by Elmira Guy.)
I don't think any social services provide anything beyond a couple of bus tickets now and then. I don't believe there is anything offered beyond that.
Oops. Says that in the article.
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The Region of Waterloo has several discounted fare programs.
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@ DKsan Really? Discounted fares based on income level?
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The TRIP program offers monthly passes for $42, about half the cost of a regular pass.
http://www.grt.ca/en/riderprograms/reducedincome.asp
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I'm more worried about prevalence of top-up stations. Every mom-and-pop can sell GRT tickets. Hell, my supermarket does.
But I'll bet it won't have a machine that'll take coins and turn it into trips on a card. If I don't have Internet where I live, or a bank account/credit card/etc. ... then how can I use the bus?
Suddenly everything gets harder for the disadvantaged.
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The bus and LRT will still take cash (at full rate). The cards will replace tickets and passes.
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(08-31-2016, 02:59 PM)KevinL Wrote: The bus and LRT will still take cash (at full rate). The cards will replace tickets and passes.
This is where I hand-wave to TriTAG's examination of the price-per-trip of tickets versus cash in an effort to distract you from how I clearly could have written a better rhetorical question about the difficulties of those-who-do-not-have. :)
Perhaps it'll only be a micro-difficulty (cf. micro-aggression). And perhaps it doesn't matter at all as only the rich can afford to use transit around here (this is supposed to be a zinger).
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