Grand River Transit

[MidTowner]

I don't think I'm in favour of free-to-the-user transit. As it is, plenty of people don't have respect for the system and the others using it. On my way home yesterday, an average of about twenty-five people had to be subjected to a couple of gentlemen talking exceedingly loudly, every fourth or fifth word being the 'f' word. I can imagine how much less respect they and similar people would have if their fellow passengers weren't even paying anything for the privilege of riding. (I don't know if my idea that paying for things encourages people to show more respect for them is correct, but I've read things suggesting it is in some cases.)

That having been said, I agree with the statement "We need to rethink transportation, and what is free and how other things should be paid for." Right now, it's free for the user to access the road network, provided you have a car. At the municipal level, the amount you contribute to the upkeep of our roads depends on the value of the property you own- whether you're a light user, heavy user, or otherwise.

I think "stable" rates are indeed important. Transportation is a big part of most people's household budgets- not knowing whether that cost will outpace by a factor of two or three isn't a good situation.

[KevinL]

Spotted some new installations downtown...





Both are at future bus stops adjacent to LRT stations (next to Frederick and across from Queen on Charles, respectively).

[andrewhann7]

I don't understand how free transit would work. Wouldn't the buses be horribly overcrowded?

A few years ago YRT was free for around a month, they saw very little to no increase in ridership during that time

[tomh009]

I don't understand how free transit would work. Wouldn't the buses be horribly overcrowded?

A few years ago YRT was free for around a month, they saw very little to no increase in ridership during that time

Not many people would change their commuting habits for that period, when you know that you will start paying again in a month or two.

[isUsername]

I don't understand how free transit would work. Wouldn't the buses be horribly overcrowded?

A few years ago YRT was free for around a month, they saw very little to no increase in ridership during that time

It takes way more than a month to change people's transportation habits.

[Pheidippides]

Don't they usually have a big council meeting on this?

They did, it was included in the budget consultations this time around instead of being pulled out for its own. 

The recommendation was 3% increase, but I think council requested staff to show what an increase equal to inflation to the bottom line, but ultimately I think they voted for the 3% increase.

http://calendar.regionofwaterloo.ca/Coun...df#page=27


Wasn't that free month in York after a prolonged strike?

[danbrotherston]

Don't they usually have a big council meeting on this?

They did, it was included in the budget consultations this time around instead of being pulled out for its own. 

The recommendation was 3% increase, but I think council requested staff to show what an increase equal to inflation to the bottom line, but ultimately I think they voted for the 3% increase.

http://calendar.regionofwaterloo.ca/Coun...df#page=27


Wasn't that free month in York after a prolonged strike?

3% is misleading, it might work out to a 3% increase in fares overall, but the actual increasing amounts, to adult tickets, and adult passes, what I would guess are GRTs largest fare categories are well over 3% (coming in at 3.8% and 4.9% respectively)....it's rather frustrating, for reference inflation was high at 2.1%.

It's not affordable for me but even the optics frustrate me.  I can only imagine what it does for others.

[yige_t]

77 Wilmot pilot project will receive another boost from the Province ($50,000 in grants), which will allow GRT to add four additional trips - two from New Hamburg (0630, 1115) and two from The Boardwalk (1030, 1145).

It is interesting to note that 12% of the ridership comes from a Flex Route stop, most coming from the Forrest/Hinck neighbourhood. Staff is proposing to make this leg part of the regular route.

In addition, new low-floor accessible minibuses will enter service on all BusPlus routes in the coming few days.

[Pheidippides]

The old iXpress stop has reappeared in the public square in Uptown. I think it is literally the old shelter; they must have just disassembled it and put in storage during construction.

I am all for reuse and recycling, but there is a tiny part of my OCD-self that can't stand that the bus shelters in the public square (curved roof and clear glass) don't match the other "ion" themed ones near other stations (the ones with the flat, slanted, "pixelated" roof. Plus, will this really be an iXpress stop for much longer?

   

There is also a new shelter just to the north of this one, but still in the square, it also has the curved roof and iXpress branding, but isn't quite as big.

[KevinL]

If it's still in good shape, why not re-use it? I can't see paying for an entire new structure just to fit the latest design standard.

And the logo can be removed from the glass easily enough.

[Markster]

News on the EasyGo fare card in the planning and works document:

http://calendar.regionofwaterloo.ca/Coun...df#page=72

Notably, there is a website for the card where you can, in the future, register your card to yourself.
https://grteasygofarecard.ca/

I noticed something entirely ridiculous:
   

You have to choose three of those security questions.
And one... assumes you have owned a car???!!

[Pheidippides]

And they left the 'u' out of colour and favourite.

[ijmorlan]

And they left the 'u' out of colour and favourite.

And most importantly, they’re using security questions.

[jeffster]

News on the EasyGo fare card in the planning and works document:

http://calendar.regionofwaterloo.ca/Coun...df#page=72

Notably, there is a website for the card where you can, in the future, register your card to yourself.
https://grteasygofarecard.ca/

I noticed something entirely ridiculous:


You have to choose three of those security questions.
And one... assumes you have owned a car???!!

How did you get to that page? You need a card to register! You have connections or something?

[danbrotherston]

News on the EasyGo fare card in the planning and works document:

http://calendar.regionofwaterloo.ca/Coun...df#page=72

Notably, there is a website for the card where you can, in the future, register your card to yourself.
https://grteasygofarecard.ca/

I noticed something entirely ridiculous:


You have to choose three of those security questions.
And one... assumes you have owned a car???!!

Truly terrible questions.  "Favourites" change over time, making them terrible choices.

Capital M mother's maiden name (aside from being awkwardly phrased) is also easy to find.

Ugh, I hate it when we spend great sums of money on terrible software.