Halifax (metro) Transit.

[Bud8Amp88]

I'm pretty sure two of the new MetroX cutaways have arrived, and (as of yesterday evening) are parked in the lot next to the Victoria Rd/Windmill Rd intersection - at least, I'm pretty sure they're new as their front ends look different compared to the current cutaways. They were parked too far away for me to see the unit numbers from the bus I was on.

Transit should look at going out to Exit 5 once this new facility is operating, would make a great park and ride location.

Hmm...wouldn't be too bad an idea - I know a few people who live out that way that were always griping about commuting in and trying to find parking around the universities. It wouldn't take much to extend the 320s to run out there either. (btw, it's Exit 7, not Exit 5...)

[hfx_chris]

I always thought the 320 was originally supposed to go to Enfield (and the 370 to Musquodoboit Harbour )

[jc.theriault]

I'm pretty sure two of the new MetroX cutaways have arrived, and (as of yesterday evening) are parked in the lot next to the Victoria Rd/Windmill Rd intersection - at least, I'm pretty sure they're new as their front ends look different compared to the current cutaways. They were parked too far away for me to see the unit numbers from the bus I was on.

Hmm...wouldn't be too bad an idea - I know a few people who live out that way that were always griping about commuting in and trying to find parking around the universities. It wouldn't take much to extend the 320s to run out there either. (btw, it's Exit 7, not Exit 5...)

Oooops, meant to say 7. If you had as much Benylin cough syrup in your system like I have this week you'd lose track of numbers too I think someone on that hockey team charter gave me their cold Glad you also like the idea of extending it out a few kilometres to service more of HRM.

I always thought the 320 was originally supposed to go to Enfield (and the 370 to Musquodoboit Harbour )

Since being mostly around the house this week I've been trying to figure out how they could service Musq. Hbr and I worked it out that if they extended the 401 to the arena it would add 15 minutes in each direction, or approx. 3.5 hours a day. It would benefit so many people and also allow the on-again/off-again MusGo Rider service to concentrate on going deeper into the Musq. Valley and further out the #7 and make connections with the bus. The 401 would still connect with the 370 and allow speedy rides into downtown. Metro Transit only needs to find an extra 910 hours per year to bring the 401 into the Hbr Mon-Fri. Weekend service is also needed out here and it's not fair that Beaverbank gets weekend service with a damn good frequency

[hfx_chris]

Yes but the 401 doesn't end in Porter's Lake, it turns down the 207 and ends at Seaforth. How would you extend it to Musquodoboit Harbour without doing a lot of back-tracking?

[jc.theriault]

Yes but the 401 doesn't end in Porter's Lake, it turns down the 207 and ends at Seaforth. How would you extend it to Musquodoboit Harbour without doing a lot of back-tracking?

The routing from MT's website with my proposed routing added in:

401 PRESTON / PORTER'S LAKE / GRAND DESSERT

Leave Portland Hills Terminal, right on Portland Street, continue on Cole Harbour Road, left on Ross Road, right on Highway #107, left at exit 17 to East Preston, left on Brooks Drive, right on Brian Street, continue on Partridge River Road, left on Highway #7 (at First stop sign), continue to Lakeview Shopping Centre, right in Driveway far side of Ultramar Gas Station to bus bay in parking lot, Leave Lakeview Shopping Centre via driveway near Super Store, right on Hwy #7, left on Hwy 357, right on Park Rd. continue into Rec. complex, continue around the playground, right on Park Rd, right on Hwy #7, left on Stella Drive, right on Highway #207, right on 2nd Back Rd (Seaforth Back Road).

Leave Back Road, left on Highway #207, left on Stella Drive, left into Lakeview Shopping Centre, right in Driveway far side of Ultramar Gas Station to bus bay in parking lot, Leave Lakeview Shopping Centre via driveway near Super Store, left on Highway #7, right Upper Partridge Road, continue on Brian Street, left on Brooks Road, right on Highway #7, right on Highway #107, left on Ross Road, right on Cole Harbour Road, continue on Portland Street, left into Portland Hills Terminal.

[hfx_chris]

So people in West Chezzetcook or Grand Desert for example need to go all the way to Musquodoboit Harbour first? And people in Musquodoboit going to work need to detour all the way to Seaforth?

[jc.theriault]

So people in West Chezzetcook or Grand Desert for example need to go all the way to Musquodoboit Harbour first? And people in Musquodoboit going to work need to detour all the way to Seaforth?

That's why I was hoping someone from transit would tell me where a person can find passenger stats. To be honest it looks like it would have to be Dartmouth-> Hwy 7-> Superstore->Seaforth-> Superstore-> Musq Hbr-> Superstore-> Seaforth-> Superstore-> Hwy 7-> Dartmouth if we want to worry about someone from one area being on a bus while it travels through another area. When I used to commute from Halifax to Akerley Blvd I was forced to endure the long trip as the #52 went to the bridge terminal, highfield terminal and backtracking on Ilsley - areas I had no reason to travel through but it was the price you pay for taking transit, it doesn't travel what route you want to get there! I think people along the shore can come to grips with it, though considering the drama behind the scenes at MusGo Rider I might be wrong. That service is being hijacked by some in the community that kill off everything they touch. So Metro Transit should just keep their promise of transit service to Musquodoboit Harbour instead. And why the hell can't we post individual paragraphs instead of forcing one large paragraph???

[hfx_chris]

Yeah I dunno, the trip out from Porters Lake to Seaforth and back is scheduled to take 25 minutes. People are definitely taking it, when I used to take that bus it only went as far as Grand Desert, and even then only a few trips went out there the rest turned at Porters Lake. Now it's been extended to Seaforth and all trips go out there.

Maybe they're doing the MetroX in phases. Look at the 330, was the Sheldrake Lake originally planned? I'm not sure but you could say it was like phase two of that route. They may have plans to eventually extend the 370 to Musquodoboit Harbour and the 320 to Enfield like they originally planned.

[jc.theriault]

I was at Dartmouth Metals today and noticed that 710 and 513 are in various stages of parting out. Lots of green arrows are painted on the buses, looks like they are to save fuel tanks and drivetrain components. The interior of 710 is pretty much gutted and the fabric for the articulated joint is ripped out. The ex-BC Newlook is an equally sad sight.

[hfx_chris]

Where's 513 been hiding? I haven't seen it in a while, I figured it was long gone.

[jc.theriault]

Where's 513 been hiding? I haven't seen it in a while, I figured it was long gone.

If you go up Dawn St. (off Windmill) and climb the hill, once through the gates turn right and head up that hill towards the parking lot. Both buses are on the left side of the road. I'll get a few photos when back there next week.

[hfx_chris]

Oh so it's been at the scrap yard there? I didn't see it there the last time I was by, but then again I didn't go onto their property

[hfx_chris]

Well, got my first ride on one of the new Xcelsiors today, 1162. I've got to say I am not at all impressed.

The ride was comfortable enough, but what was with those front priority seats? I hope they were just broken on this bus, because they wouldn't stay down. If you got up they flipped up like arena seats. I can only imagine how much fun this is going to be for some old lady trying to sit down before the bus starts to move, a mother with an arm load of kids and other kid gear, or somebody with the weeks groceries in their hands. They've got to be broken, there's no way NFI would be allowed to get away with something this blatantly unsafe.

Not to mention you're going to have people trying to be nice and holding the seats down for other people, then some accidental bum touching... well, depends on who it is I guess..

While I'm at it there were no push buttons for the next stop light anywhere to be seen near the front priority seating, so now said old ladies, or people with other physical disabilities (not talking about wheelchairs) have to reach behind them to pull the cord which is always awkward when your back is to it.

Also found the big caution signs at the front telling you to hold on funny. NFI must have been involved in a couple of lawsuits or something...

Anyway about the only things I found nice were the large next stop sign, and it was a comfortable ride. Oh, and the destination signs on the exterior are really nice, very readable, even though the rear sign is mounted almost on the roof...

[Bud8Amp88]

Having been on the Xcelsiors a surprising number of times in the last few weeks, here's my thoughts:

From what I understand, the priority seats are spring-loaded, so they stay up by default. This seems to be causing more harm than good since either people are surprised when the seat springs up, or people just stand there and lean on them (which has caused a couple instances of people accidentally touching the call strip on the bottom). I'm actually surprised that NFI thought this was a good idea...

Also, is it the drivers who want all that blue tape on the cabin lights on the front half of some of them? There's a few Novas that do that, but there's so much on 1163 that the front of the bus may as well be in the dark. I understand that the drivers have a hard time seeing bus stops after dark (especially with the white lights on the Novas/XD40s), but I know they can turn off the passenger-side lights like on the D40LFs (as I witnessed on 1172 over the weekend).

Other than that, I really like the ride and the look of the destination sign, though I find it funny that they couldn't/didn't feel like putting the 52 Crosstown to Burnside (Bus Garage) on two lines, and the trips terminating at the garage don't say so on the front sign (side sign has "Bus Garage Only" cycle through, but the front just says "Crosstown to Burnside"). Suffice to say, I like these WAY more than the D40LFs, but that's just my opinion.

[hfx_chris]

Yeah this seating issue is pretty much unforgivable. Maybe Metro Transit can retrofit something, they're pretty terrible.

[general682002]

Well, got my first ride on one of the new Xcelsiors today, 1162. I've got to say I am not at all impressed.

The ride was comfortable enough, but what was with those front priority seats? I hope they were just broken on this bus, because they wouldn't stay down. If you got up they flipped up like arena seats. I can only imagine how much fun this is going to be for some old lady trying to sit down before the bus starts to move, a mother with an arm load of kids and other kid gear, or somebody with the weeks groceries in their hands. They've got to be broken, there's no way NFI would be allowed to get away with something this blatantly unsafe.

Not to mention you're going to have people trying to be nice and holding the seats down for other people, then some accidental bum touching... well, depends on who it is I guess..

While I'm at it there were no push buttons for the next stop light anywhere to be seen near the front priority seating, so now said old ladies, or people with other physical disabilities (not talking about wheelchairs) have to reach behind them to pull the cord which is always awkward when your back is to it.

Also found the big caution signs at the front telling you to hold on funny. NFI must have been involved in a couple of lawsuits or something...

Anyway about the only things I found nice were the large next stop sign, and it was a comfortable ride. Oh, and the destination signs on the exterior are really nice, very readable, even though the rear sign is mounted almost on the roof...

Those spring seats around the wheelchair area is there for a purpose, you have strollers who need space!

That yellow sticker, does it says hold on in case of sudden stops? If so, it's common now on most NFI buses on other transit.

At least far better than hearing a major commotions on LFS!

[jc.theriault]

Oh yes, the SUV sized strollers have priority over our mobility-impaired walking passengers. It'll take one nasty fall and transit will be retrofitting to seats that lock in the down position. The stroller users can pull the handle to unlock and fold up the seats. As for that sticker... it won't stop some 80 year old from breaking bones when he/she loses their balance trying to get seated onto a spring loaded cushion. Passengers could lodge complaints with the public passenger div of the NSURB and their inspectors will determine if the seating arrangement meets NS criteria - easier than trying to complain to Metro Transit itself. And major commotions? huh?? wtf??

And while not completely related to Metro Transit - MusGo rider is down for roughly 6 weeks while they send their van to... get this... ONTARIO, for a wheelchair accessable conversion. One day's notice was given on the facebook page with an explanation they applied for emergency funding to rent a van. So they send the van off to Ont without ever getting word back on the funding so now the eastern shore is left without any rural transit options. Things have gone downhill for MusGo ever since the old manager was replaced a few months ago. My question to them is why Ontario when Malley Industries in Dieppe NB does these conversions all the time.

[calamin]

The priority seats being spring loaded is actually becoming the industry norm. Its to help facilitate quicker and easier loading of wheel chairs, it is meant to help the bus maintain a better schedule as a result.

The blue aisle lights are actually standard ( for good reason) I have seen many other pictures from other transit authorities across NA with the same set up. The Novas you see is actually Partly my doing. We have been running tests on the newer Novas. It started with the airport buses when they came in the glare from the aisle lights was so horrible that on the highway we couldn't see anything but the reflection of the aisle. It became so bad that most drivers had to turn the aisle lights on the highway to be able to see. What they did to those buses was made it so only a couple of lights on in the rear.

The newer articulated buses 742-761 when delivered had super bright LEDS, the glare on these buses where very bad. We started running tests on some of the arrangements of blue lights vs some lights being left of and so on. Some of the tests have resulted in Nova bus writing a different program for the aisle lighting.

[M. Parsons]

I hope they were just broken on this bus, because they wouldn't stay down. ...there's no way NFI would be allowed to get away with something this blatantly unsafe.

Also found the big caution signs at the front telling you to hold on funny. NFI must have been involved in a couple of lawsuits or something...

Having been on the Xcelsiors a surprising number of times in the last few weeks, here's my thoughts:

From what I understand, the priority seats are spring-loaded, so they stay up by default.... I'm actually surprised that NFI thought this was a good idea...

Why are you guys blaming New Flyer for the seats? It would have been Halifax who speced the seats. New Flyer doesn't just go and install what ever the hell they feel like in the buses. Ditto on the interior decals. That's a Halifax spec more than likely. I'm sure New Flyer probably does offer a standard interior decal package, but I doubt Halifax would get that.

[jc.theriault]

We can blame New Flyer for the seats if they sold city officials on the idea. The design is dangerous for a senior who might have difficulty getting seated before the bus starts moving or even worse they stand up for some reason and try to sit back down and forget the seat cushion has flipped up. It's the same as pulling the chair out from someone who is attempting to sit down. We don't need to cater to the stroller crowds who insist on buying the fully-loaded 15 foot stroller for one child.

[M. Parsons]

We can blame New Flyer for the seats if they sold city officials on the idea.

Absolutely. Did they?

[hfx_chris]

Absolutely. Did they?

Of course they did. Metro Transit has never had spring-loaded flip-up seats before, and their RFP document has no requirement for priority seats that don't stay down.

The priority seats being spring loaded is actually becoming the industry norm. Its to help facilitate quicker and easier loading of wheel chairs, it is meant to help the bus maintain a better schedule as a result.

I don't buy that. It doesn't take 5 minutes to flip the seat up, and this is going to cause problems for a lot more people.

[calamin]

Of course they did. Metro Transit has never had spring-loaded flip-up seats before, and their RFP document has no requirement for priority seats that don't stay down.

I don't buy that. It doesn't take 5 minutes to flip the seat up, and this is going to cause problems for a lot more people.

No but it does leave the the area empty for people who need the seats. It prevents a lot of people from using those seats when they can sit in the back,

[jc.theriault]

Anyone can use those front seats Calamin. The onus is on transit to make clear rules that state non-disabled passengers must vacate the seats when someone needs them. They also need to make it clear that strollers must be moved out of those spaces when a wheelchair or mobility impaired or elderly person require the seats. Transit policy writers need to start using the word "must" instead of "should" because must makes it a clear action while should makes it a suggestion but not enforceable. I remember one of my first trips on a packed #51 in 1994 and I sat in one of the courtesy seats (because I had no idea where my stop was) we got to the stop by the old liquor store off Wyse and the driver made it clear I was to let the elderly gentleman waiting at the stop use my seat. Is there a reason drivers can't or won't enforce regulations anymore?

[hfx_chris]

Good luck trying to enforce that with some people these days...

Anyway that's about the only benefit I see, is that people don't use those seats leaving them available for people who do need them, which is then totally negated by the fact those people who need the seats can't easily use them.