J. Hollingsworth

I Hope not, it looks so much worse that way!

Durham Region Transit has begun collecting payments for passengers using Credit Cards on PRESTO, much like other agencies. The reason for the delay stems from ordering devices that could utilize this functionality that could be equipped in OnDemand vehicles. With this now solved, the function has now been enabled system wide. debit cards, and mobile PRESTO wallet will come later in 2023 according to a number of DRT reports

DRT has awarded the contract of 6+2 Electric Buses to Nova Bus for delivery in 2024

Yeah so… that’s a bit of a mishap it seems. Voyago (OnDemand and Specialized) is running like it’s a weekday, this includes using the cutaway van in Newcastle. this is great, aside from the fact that DRT is running on a Saturday schedule, but OnDemand has not been set correctly to fill in the gaps where regular routes aren’t

DRT a provides about 25% of the service. DRT mainly provides specialized service trips, using cutaways and Promasters Voyago is a mix between specialized and OnDemand, using accessible vans, sedans and now that cutaway between Newcastle and Bowmanville, of which there were four passengers (myself included) on a trip from Newcastle to Bowmanville at 5pm last night; not bad.

DRT appears to be changing its into announcement system voice once again. This will be the third change in the voice since the systems implementation in 2016. In October, this voice was found on the exterior announcements of the 917B, 905B, and 392. Just today the next stop phrase is said in that’s same voice, followed by the actual stop announcements being said in current “Tracy” voice. ill try to attach a link to two videos I took showing the exterior, and “next stop” announcement. File is too large for here

DRT hasn’t operated this service since COVID, no plans to return it, or the service to Lindsay. When the 960 was discontinued during covid, on demand service was extended to Mount Albert in York Region, but this was also quietly discontinued, despite STILL being listed on their website

They are waiting for mobile devices that can accept Debit/Credit while in an OnDemand/Specialized ride Delibery of these devices began in early November, and I’ve began seeing these in use last week in Clarington. This is the same reason York Region Transit doesn’t yet accept Debit/Credit Hopefully with these new device arriving, the functionality can be enabled in a few weeks or a couple months!

Lots of new DRT Service Changes coming in January. Ridership on weekdays is at 75% pre-pandemic. There have been some difficulties by those still relying on OnDemand (Like myself in Newcastle) where booking a trip in the evening resulted in no rides being available. It appears these issues were related to buses being considered "full" by the computer, when in reality there may be multiple seats available. These scheduling issues with their back end should be fixed come January. Rural Clarington into Bowmanville (Including Newcastle) is the busiest OnDemand service. TEC Agenda: https://pub-durhamregion.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=13935ba8-c745-4e18-89db-21eaee6723f3&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English Changes Effective January 2nd 2023 103 (Glenanna) - Peak Period Service extended to service Finch Avenue and Altona Road area 112 (Brock) - Peak Period Service extended to service Taunton Road and Burkholder Drive, DRT's first scheduled service in Seaton. 222 (Audley South) - Service frequency reduction from 30 minutes to every 45 minutes 392B (Whitby Shores) - Additional trips, service to operate every 30 minutes in midday between Whitby Station and Ontario Shores. 410 (Olive Harmony) - Service altered to use Centre Street/Simcoe Street and Olive Avenue like the 423. Service will be removed on Celena, and Albert 411 (South Courtice) - Current School Trippers (411T) to be renumbered 411C via Avondale 423 (Townline/Adelaide) - Service to operate every 30 minutes all day 502 (North Bowmanville) - Weekday Service extended to 23:45 from 19:00. New weekend service between 9:30 and 19:30. PULSE 900 - Service to Scarborough reduced (yet again) to every 30 minutes PULSE 901 - (Big service cut) Service to each terminus to operate every 30 minutes. Windfields every 30, OC every 30 and Lakeview Park every 30. Alternating between buses terminating at Durham College 905A (Thickson) - Additional Midday services on 905A from Whitby GO to Harmony Terminal PULSE 915 - Service Reduced weekdays from every 15 minutes to every 20 minutes PULSE 916 - Additional Evening Trip added 917 (Bayly Consumers) - Service on 917B resumes 920 (Route 920) - Revised routing in Oshawa to serve growing markets. Now operating on Stevenson Road North, and Conlins Road West.

When looking at the vehicle tracking it shows that the bus was signed on to the 920 on October 4th, but never left Ajax GO Station area. Probably just signed into a block for training, it never entered service if I hazard a guess

And the addition of peak-directional one way service on Strouds Lane in Pickering on route 103

They’re not doing away with the branding by any means, they’ve expanded the pulse brand to include the 915 and 916, whosever a limited number of paddles on route 916 interline with routes 103/110 and 120 in Pickering. Additionally, PULSE buses are used as spares for the rest of the fleet.

8473 on route 405. Quite possibly the last time a D40LF could be on an Oshawa route. Im doubtful it’s a transfer, but I’ll keep an eye on it

I’d assume so, Yonge and Eglinton has barely broken above ground level on the main station entrance. id be okay with them opening the station without that entrance open, but only if it was safe. I’d assume that would cause major station congestion though, so there may be some reluctance to do that

Yes, all destinations signs now show exactly what they should. The route number, and the destination in BIG letters. Nothing else... oh wait, THEY"RE HIRING! In all seriousness, having a route name is pointless at best, especially when you look at routes like the 103, or the 224, neither of these routes serve exclusively or even primarily either of these two routes namesake streets. So simply saying, 103 Pine Grove, or 224 Taunton, is a fine solution, especially for the new routes like the 211, or the 920 that would be really hard to attach meaningful route names to. While yes the signs may look weird, they certainly are an improvement.

Transfers have occurred to take on additional requirement of the September board and the delivery of Hybrids at Westney.

This is correct, new devices will arrive this fall and feature faster read times (currently 5-10 seconds) and open payment

At this time, I highly doubt DRT has plans for any reinstatement of the 601, or 603, but who knows As for Cornell, a route is planned that will travel from Pickering Parkway Terminal to Cornell via Kingston, Brock, Taunton, Whites Road and Highway 7 though no number is assigned to this route anymore.

DRT Does not use them for OnDemand service with any regularity, these vehicles are for specialized services only

In addition to DRT ProMasters, there are: - Ford Fusion Hybrids - Toyota Corollas - Toyota Camry Hybrids - Toyota Sienna (WC) - Dodge Grand Carravans (WC)

No. DRT only has 5 promasters Aboute 70% of OnDemand operations is contracted out to Voyago.

Perhaps there’s also delays in the technology front required for the new OnDemand service planned for launch in September to Northumberland

Now according to GO Transit on Twitter, schedule changes will be posted “sometime next week” a matter of days before the changes take effect.

New Flyer and Nova Bus are the only two manufactures who bid on the order of 3 buses from the top two proponents, option for one additional bus from each. This is not confirmed until the RFP is awarded.

I’ve seen the photos of course, it’s still not the same layout, it lacks the forward facing door side seats found in between the first and second doors. With the lacking forward facing seats, these buses are bleeding seats, from 37 in 2015-2019, to 33 in 2020, now only 29 in these buses.