Bass_Head Posted May 10, 2014 Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 In case anyone is interested, Metro Transit's Ragged Lake Operations and Maintenance Facility is participating in this year's Doors Open Halifax (June 7 & 8, 2014 10 am - 4 pm). The website doesn't mention if it will be open both days or just one. Should be an interesting place to see. From the Doors Open Halifax website: This 176,000 square foot complex on a 16-acre site features two buildings: A 119,990 square foot Operations Centre and a 55,920 square foot Service Centre for bus maintenance. A very unique visit with a fun opportunity for everyone, including kids! Ride the bus through the giant bus wash and witness the ins and outs of Metro Transit’s mass operations. Click here for more info on Doors Open Halifax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfx_chris Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 Good to know! Would be really cool if the Ilsley garage was open as well. I've always wanted to know what their comms centre looks like. Also the public unveiling of the new ferry is this Tuesday: http://www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/SpecialEvents.html Free ferry service all day. Also the new routes 78 and 79 start later this month, along with all-day Woodside ferry service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calamin Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 There is a comms centre at Ragged Lake its used for back up. Also this summer the main comms centre will be going through renovations so the one at Ragged Lake will be used for a couple of months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bud8Amp88 Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 Route And Schedule Adjustments Effective May 19th, 2014: Routes 41 and 42: Service Removed until August 25th Route 56: Weekday Schedule Adjustments: All runs depart Portland Hills on the :05s and :35s starting at 9:35am (used to change from :13s/:43s to :18s/:48s to :10s). All runs depart Dartmouth Crossing on the :09s and :39s all day (used to change from :09s/:39s to :12s/:42s to :24s/:54s to :37s) Route 60: Major Weekday Schedule Adjustments Off-Peak runs adjusted to service Woodside Ferry Terminal (except those after 9pm) AM rush hour runs to depart Bridge Terminal approximately 4 minutes earlier. Extra AM rush run to Oceanview Manor to depart Shearwater at 5:35am (return to Bridge departs Oceanview at 5:46am) Off-Peak runs depart Bridge Terminal on the :05s and :35s PM rush runs to depart Bridge Terminal approximately 3 minutes earlier approximately 15 minute headways extended to 9:10pm (all runs after 6:24pm to service Shore Road) 30 minute headways extended to 12:10am. Final run from Bridge Terminal added at 12:35am Route 63: AM/PM peak runs depart Bridge Terminal on the :02s and :32s. Off-Peak runs depart on the :20s and :50s Route 78 - Mount Edward Express 6 AM and 7 PM runs between Wildwood/Cole Harbour Place and Woodside Ferry Terminal (30 minute frequency) weekdays only. Route 79 - Cole Harbour Express 6 AM and 6 PM runs between Cole Harbour/Cumberland and Woodside Ferry Terminal (30 minute frequency) weekdays only. Route 165: Service Removed - Replaced by Route 79 Woodside Ferry: 15 minute peak service departing Woodside from 6:37 to 9:37am, 2:37 to 6:07pm 30 minute off-peak service departing Woodside from 9:37am to 2:37pm, 6:07pm to 8:37pm So pretty much what we were expecting with the Woodside Ferry service increase, but I have to say that I'm both surprised and stoked for the service increases to the 60, as I didn't expect them to do 15 minute service that late in the day. The 30 minute late night is much appreciated, since now I no longer have to wait 45 minutes for a bus when I work late (well, at least on weeknights). Also nice to see that they've made the departure times of the 56 much more consistant, as opposed to changing 4 times a day. I still have my reservations on whether the Woodside Ferry will be well used all day, but I suppose it was about time to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfx_chris Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 There is a comms centre at Ragged Lake its used for back up. Also this summer the main comms centre will be going through renovations so the one at Ragged Lake will be used for a couple of months. Ok cool, I figured there had to be some sort of backup comm centre in there, since they built an antenna tower out on the grounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc.theriault Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 Had some time to waste in Burnside today. So I went hunting for retired buses at the scrapyard and look what I found. 964, 951 and an unidentified Classic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfx_chris Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 Looks like the new ferry will not go into service this week: http://www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/Schedules/WoodsideFerryExpansion.html Metro Transit regrets to inform commuters that its newest harbour ferry will not be in operation for a few more weeks due to a requirement to complete additional staff training.The Woodside ferry service will operate on an interim 30 minute service during peak commuting hours, while off peak midday and evening service will proceed as planned. The new bus service to the Woodside Ferry Terminal on routes 78 and 79 will continue as planned. However, passengers on route 78 will have connection times to and from the Woodside ferry of 20 to 25 minutes until the ferry service can begin running its 15 minute peak weekday service. Metro Transit apologizes to passengers for any inconvenience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfx_chris Posted May 23, 2014 Report Share Posted May 23, 2014 So the May 2014 schedule adjustments went into affect this week. Did anyone by chance see any signs on any buses advertising the affected routes? I haven't. In fact most of the buses I've been on still have signs up for the February adjustments... Also noticed they've installed switches on the D40LFs above the drivers head near the mirrors. Anyone know what those are about? They have red covers over them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busdriver Posted May 23, 2014 Report Share Posted May 23, 2014 So the May 2014 schedule adjustments went into affect this week. Did anyone by chance see any signs on any buses advertising the affected routes? I haven't. In fact most of the buses I've been on still have signs up for the February adjustments... Also noticed they've installed switches on the D40LFs above the drivers head near the mirrors. Anyone know what those are about? They have red covers over them. The switch is for the auxiliary heater; it's been relocated from inside the overhead panel. Apparently some of the heaters stink up the garage when they are left on so the switch was moved to a location where we can easily turn it off when we pull into the garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfx_chris Posted May 23, 2014 Report Share Posted May 23, 2014 Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bud8Amp88 Posted June 3, 2014 Report Share Posted June 3, 2014 Don't know how many have seen it, but bus 600 has been repainted in the standard Metro Transit colors! (pic courtesy Wilson Hum) https://www.flickr.com/photos/55378459@N07/14332957015/in/photostream/ I thought I had seen it crossing the bridge the other day, but just thought I was seeing things. Guess this means the 159 and 185 will probably remain the only MetroLink routes for the forseeable future. I wonder how many more of the Link busses are getting done... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfx_chris Posted June 3, 2014 Report Share Posted June 3, 2014 I assume it will retain its' comfortable seating.. this is kinda bizarre in my opinion. Anyone else remember when the 159 first launched, there was supposed to be a second Sackville route, the 184 Cobequid? And of course someday Spryfield and Clayton Park routes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfx_chris Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 Just in case anyone was not aware, the Ragged Lake garage will be taking part in Doors Open Halifax this year, and will be open to the public for tours, Saturday and Sunday (June 7-8, 2014) http://doorsopenhalifax.com/metro-transit-ragged-lake-operations-maintenance-facility/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitpu Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Did anyone get the chance to go to Metro Transit Operations and Maintenance Facility as part of Doors Open Halifax? It was pretty fascinating. We toured through the driver's areas, maintenance bays, and the wash bay, as well as being able to go through the bus wash inside one of the buses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfx_chris Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 I wanted to, but I was working one of the venues myself on Saturday, and life got in the way Sunday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass_Head Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Did anyone get the chance to go to Metro Transit Operations and Maintenance Facility as part of Doors Open Halifax? It was pretty fascinating. We toured through the driver's areas, maintenance bays, and the wash bay, as well as being able to go through the bus wash inside one of the buses. I went there and, you're right, it was pretty fascinating. Click here to see some pictures I took and a video going through the bus wash. Sorry about the quality of some of the pics and the video. Forgot my camera and camcorder in my car so I had to rely on my iPhone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoddendale (England) Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Good to see those - I thought the photo quality was pretty good. I don't use an iPhone so had no idea that it was possible to get such decent photos from one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitpu Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 Loved seeing your photos. You have many of the same shots I was able to get. I took 73 pictures while inside. Here's a few. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buschic Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 I hate it, I also agree with JC city hall has got to stop wasting money on stuff like this. I was thinking the same, the new livery is not needed, at all, what is, is route management, service increases & an overnight bus network, even 2 routes would be ok.. Loved seeing your photos. You have many of the same shots I was able to get. I took 73 pictures while inside. Here's a few. Sweet pics, Thanks for posting.. I'm glad it was opened for DOH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NiagaraGoTransit Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 I am from Ontario what can I expect in terms of the amount of buses in the HRM? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass_Head Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 Loved seeing your photos. You have many of the same shots I was able to get. I took 73 pictures while inside. Here's a few. Thanks. You got some really great shots. I especially like the shot of 975 on the lift with it's engine cover and the panels around the rear window removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifax_Route10 Posted June 18, 2014 Report Share Posted June 18, 2014 I am from Ontario what can I expect in terms of the amount of buses in the HRM? Do you mean in terms of fleet size? Metro Transit has over 300 buses, 47 of which are 60-foot articulated buses. You can find more detailed info on the fleet on the wiki: http://www.cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php?title=Metro_Transit The best place to see buses is on Barrington Street in Downtown Halifax - the street has over 1,100 bus movements every weekday. Hope you enjoy your stay in Halifax! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfx_chris Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 The route 79 seems to be fairly well used, the 78 on the other hand not so much. May take some time for people to figure out it's a great option, but I have yet to see more than 5 people get on in the afternoon at Woodside. Also I've been on the new ferry a few times, it's nice but man does it ever vibrate. And loud on the inside. Plus they seem to have a problem with one of the ramps, they only ever seem to put one down on the Halifax side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bud8Amp88 Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 Spotted something cool with the destination signs today on Routes 10 and 1. There now seems to be an alternate version of the signs that switches between the usual sign and "Detour on Route". Very nice heads-up for those who may not be aware of such detours. The route 79 seems to be fairly well used, the 78 on the other hand not so much. May take some time for people to figure out it's a great option, but I have yet to see more than 5 people get on in the afternoon at Woodside. Also I've been on the new ferry a few times, it's nice but man does it ever vibrate. And loud on the inside. Plus they seem to have a problem with one of the ramps, they only ever seem to put one down on the Halifax side. Frankly, I'm not sure why they felt the need to service Mount Edward with an Express route in the first place. It's not like the 62 is all that well used out there anyways. I will say that I'm happy to see that there are usually around a dozen cars still in the Woodside Park and Ride lot near the end of the ferry's service day (not counting those parked near John's Lunch) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfx_chris Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 Yeah the new ferry service seems to be fairly well used, which is nice to see. I also question the need for Mount Edward express service, and where I live it would actually be perfect for me...if I worked in Halifax. Which I don't. Sounds like Metro Transit is experimenting with PR messages on the destination signs. That's something I wish they would have started doing ages ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now