Misc. OC Transpo & STO Questions & Discussion

[MCIBUS]

For those interested the 2022 CTHF Urban Transit Street guide is available. Just purchased mine. Can't wait to see how OC TRANSPO info is going to be like? buses? LRT Trains(Line 1)? O-Train(Line 2)? Fleet#'s?

[sdgta2008]

I just found a retired Niaraga Fall Transit Orion VII parked on rue Principale in Aylmer next to Marché Laflamme.  

[Loud-Invero]

Does anyone have a photo or a physical copy of these old school infobox maps? Pre optimization, they were scattered in Amberwood along the former Route 175, but because they converted those stop to be school routes only, the old infobox maps remained. Hard to make details, but I believe the top says "New Flags", which would have been made in and around 2000 when they changed their flag from the "OC Transpo" flag to the maple leaf flag. Any leads would be appreciated! 18 Tennyson St - Google Maps

[sdgta2008]

Did the 2015 and 2016 STO LFSs get transferred to Jean-Proulx from Des Affaires garages?

[Loud-Invero]

Okay so looking at the detour for Bayshore/Pinecrest, I'm confused... Are they turning Pinecrest Station into a bus loop?

[Gregory]

2 hours ago, Loud-Invero said:

Okay so looking at the detour for Bayshore/Pinecrest, I'm confused... Are they turning Pinecrest Station into a bus loop?

By the looks of the detour's description, yes. I think what's throwing us off is the stop for Pinecrest station on the detour map is in red.

[Oc4526]

22 hours ago, Loud-Invero said:

Okay so looking at the detour for Bayshore/Pinecrest, I'm confused... Are they turning Pinecrest Station into a bus loop?

 

20 hours ago, Gregory said:

By the looks of the detour's description, yes. I think what's throwing us off is the stop for Pinecrest station on the detour map is in red.

Judgeing by this Map. Pinecrest Stops A & B are to remain active when the Transitway closes.



Also it looks like the pedestrian bridge & associated building/s at Bayshore will be closed for construction.


 

[dudebrains]

On 3/26/2022 at 2:28 PM, sdgta2008 said:

Did the 2015 and 2016 STO LFSs get transferred to Jean-Proulx from Des Affaires garages?

They have been shuffling buses around lately with no apparent rhyme or reason.

[Loud-Invero]

https://www.octranspo.com/en/about-us/jobs#wereHiring

It seems that effective today, instead of "Out of Service" and "Mask Required on OC Transpo" when buses are out of service, they now display "We're Hiring". Damn, they must be desperate! If only a certain premier didn't kept me a year behind my license...

[sdgta2008]

STO tracking is now available on Transsee. 

[Loud-Invero]

So I'm looking at the new route maps and I'm confused. Why do they show routes that don't serve Pinecrest Station, getting off at Pinecrest/Greenbank and reenter the 417... Are they really going to pull buses off for nothing or is there is suppose to be a stop just before the ramp that every route uses? 63/64 and the 200's should just stay on the 417 . I really hope it was just a map error!

It basically should be the exact same of their 1997 routings, but PM stays on the 417 while Greenbank is "off on request"...

[JCL]

6 hours ago, Loud-Invero said:

So I'm looking at the new route maps and I'm confused. Why do they show routes that don't serve Pinecrest Station, getting off at Pinecrest/Greenbank and reenter the 417... Are they really going to pull buses off for nothing or is there is suppose to be a stop just before the ramp that every route uses? 63/64 and the 200's should just stay on the 417 . I really hope it was just a map error!

It basically should be the exact same of their 1997 routings, but PM stays on the 417 while Greenbank is "off on request"...

Not an error on the map -- it's how OC Transpo has setup the Transitway Detour Routing. 

Routes 63, 64, 66, and AM Connexion Route in the eastbound direction servicing Greenbank/Hwy 417 is in lieu of Pinecrest Station, while Routes 61 and 62 Eastbound when existing exiting Hwy 417 eastbound will go into Pinecrest Station (from Hwy 417 eastbound at Greenbank exit, left Greenbank northbound, left Pinecrest Station, proceed to turnaround loop at Pinecrest Station, then Pinecrest Station Stop 2A, then return to regular routing).

Also, the Connexion Route during the AM rush hour, they are existing Highway 417 eastbound at Holly Acres in order to service the bus stop at Holly Acres at Highway 417in lieu of Bayshore Station. 

I will now allow you to vent at their setup of the detour routing.

[GTAmissions1]

53 minutes ago, JCL said:

Not an error on the map -- it's how OC Transpo has setup the Transitway Detour Routing. 

Routes 63, 64, 66, and AM Connexion Route in the eastbound direction servicing Greenbank/Hwy 417 is in lieu of Pinecrest Station, while Routes 61 and 62 Eastbound when existing exiting Hwy 417 eastbound will go into Pinecrest Station (from Hwy 417 eastbound at Greenbank exit, left Greenbank northbound, left Pinecrest Station, proceed to turnaround loop at Pinecrest Station, then Pinecrest Station Stop 2A, then return to regular routing).

Also, the Connexion Route during the AM rush hour, they are existing Highway 417 eastbound at Holly Acres in order to service the bus stop at Holly Acres at Highway 417in lieu of Bayshore Station. 

I will now allow you to vent at their setup of the detour routing.

I noticed that too regarding how regular routes 63 and 64 will bypass Bayshore going eastbound. Similar to how the 91 bypasses St. Laurent going eastbound while Routes 94, 95 and 104 provides continuous service to St. Laurent in both directions which of course 95 operated around the clock. Even at 3 AM which I remember in December 2015 when someone asked "when is the last 95 Orleans?" Operator responded "the 95 never stops running."

Those that need Bayshore coming from Kanata North will have to remember to transfer at Eagleson and take any 61 or 62 going eastbound for the loop around Bayshore or Pinecrest. 

I remember when I took the last 96 St. Laurent from Terry Fox almost 5 years ago. Before it was renumbered to the 61 to better align with route categorization with Kanata routes that connect to Line 1. 

[JCL]

15 minutes ago, GTAmissions1 said:

I noticed that too regarding how regular routes 63 and 64 will bypass Bayshore going eastbound. Similar to how the 91 bypasses St. Laurent going eastbound while Routes 94, 95 and 104 provides continuous service to St. Laurent in both directions which of course 95 operated around the clock. Even at 3 AM which I remember in December 2015 when someone asked "when is the last 95 Orleans?" Operator responded "the 95 never stops running."

Those that need Bayshore coming from Kanata North will have to remember to transfer at Eagleson and take any 61 or 62 going eastbound for the loop around Bayshore or Pinecrest. 

I remember when I took the last 96 St. Laurent from Terry Fox almost 5 years ago. Before it was renumbered to the 61 to better align with route categorization with Kanata routes that connect to Line 1. 

Forgot to mention those two routes in my previous post above yours. Still trying to get use to (and absorb) the new changes that will go into affect on April 24. 

[Loud-Invero]

3 hours ago, JCL said:

I will now allow you to vent at their setup of the detour routing.

You know me too well. However, I'll *just* say it is not the best setup, but I do like the old pre-2009 vibe I get with all routes serving Pinecrest "C".

[Waiting for 30 Minutes]

The reopening of the westbound off-ramp from the 417 to Pinecrest has been delayed to 8 May. It will not reopen 24 April. However, the Transitway closure will proceed as planned. This affects westbound service only.

Routes 61, 62, 301, 303, 404, and 660 will use the new Pinecrest station turnaround, then take the highway westbound and exit at Bayshore.

Route 282 will continue south on Pinecrest to Greenbank, and the 283 will take the ramp to the 417 westbound towards the 416. Neither the 282 or 283 will use the loop.

All other routes (63, 64, 66, 67, 200s, 454) will remain on the westbound 417 and exit at Bayshore.

Eastbound service will not be affected, and will follow the detours planned for 24 April that day.

[Loud-Invero]

I have a technical question which I'm sure many won't be able to answer, but when DRL was mandated by Transport Canada in 1990 - that new vehicles must have DRL, which consist of either high beams activated at half intensity or front turn signal bulbs with the least bright filament turned on. How were OC Transpo mechanics able to basically modify the electrical system on the fishies or Classics to achieve this? I'm very curious.

[Mark Walton]

On 4/24/2022 at 5:08 AM, Loud-Invero said:

I have a technical question which I'm sure many won't be able to answer, but when DRL was mandated by Transport Canada in 1989 - that new vehicles must have DRL, which consist of either high beams activated at half intensity or front turn signal bulbs with the least bright filament turned on. How were OC Transpo mechanics able to basically modify the electrical system on the fishies or Classics to achieve this? I'm very curious.

DRL in this context is...?

[Loud-Invero]

3 hours ago, Mark Walton said:

DRL in this context is...?

Daytime Running Lamps/Lights. The thing that makes your headlights or turn signal lights illuminate despite your lights being on the "OFF" position. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daytime_running_lamp

[Waiting for 30 Minutes]

On 4/24/2022 at 5:08 AM, Loud-Invero said:

I have a technical question which I'm sure many won't be able to answer, but when DRL was mandated by Transport Canada in 1990 - that new vehicles must have DRL, which consist of either high beams activated at half intensity or front turn signal bulbs with the least bright filament turned on. How were OC Transpo mechanics able to basically modify the electrical system on the fishies or Classics to achieve this? I'm very curious.

Based on what you said, "that new vehicles must have DRL," I would submit there was a grandfather clause. On top of that, it's current policy at OC to operate the bus on "night run" at all times, perhaps that policy was in place back then as well (someone needs to confirm this)?

[Loud-Invero]

1 hour ago, Waiting for 30 Minutes said:

Based on what you said, "that new vehicles must have DRL," I would submit there was a grandfather clause. On top of that, it's current policy at OC to operate the bus on "night run" at all times, perhaps that policy was in place back then as well (someone needs to confirm this)?

There was, but this implies to me that buses made post January 1, 1971 had to be retrofitted. Of course this is US exportation but I don't see why that same date wouldn't apply to Canadian Busses https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/importing-vehicle/frequently-asked-questions-importing-vehicles-purchased-united-states-canada

 

[tomsbuspage]

2 hours ago, Loud-Invero said:

There was, but this implies to me that buses made post January 1, 1971 had to be retrofitted. Of course this is US exportation but I don't see why that same date wouldn't apply to Canadian Busses https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/importing-vehicle/frequently-asked-questions-importing-vehicles-purchased-united-states-canada

It may just be me, but I don't see anything retroactive in the RIV requirements or motor vehicle safety standards regarding daytime running lights on older vehicles.  When DRLs were introduced in 1990 they were only required on new vehicles, and this was driven home to me (no pun intended) when I once drove a 1986 Toyota and had to remember to turn the headlamps on and off manually.

[Loud-Invero]

Better bus stop project is coming to reality for Carling Ave... Except, their proposals are horrible! Better Bus Stops Project: Carling Avenue | OC Transpo Instead of ranting, I'll post why this is horrible with the same image they provide... (Sorry for typos - there's no spell check in photoshop!)

 

[Flalex72]

21 minutes ago, Loud-Invero said:

Better bus stop project is coming to reality for Carling Ave... Except, their proposals are horrible! Better Bus Stops Project: Carling Avenue | OC Transpo Instead of ranting, I'll post why this is horrible with the same image they provide...

 

Lots of money has been spent to remove bus bays across Ottawa to sped service. Keeping them because you prefer that the bus pull out of traffic is the opposite of what we're doing elsewhere. The occasional bus stopping in the road has minor impact on traffic but major impact on bus users, who have to wait for the bus to re-enter traffic every time.

Overall, your comments seem to be along the lines of "change is bad" which is a huge problem when these sort of projects are undertaken. There are a huge number of factors to balance when locating bus stops, and someone always loses. Too many stops is a common concern with OC Transpo, but not when it's your stop that is chosen for removal.

[ZümmyZüm]

I would actually really welcome these changes as a driver, the 85,57 have stops way to close to each other with no benefit of service. If I serve a stop, close my door and the bell rings for me to stop less than 15 seconds after for 1 person that’s an impact to service. OC should model what Translink did which was condense and spread which leads to 1 stop picking/dropping 5 people instead of 5 stops with 1 each 

 

https://www.translink.ca/plans-and-projects/projects/bus-projects/bus-stop-balancing

 

people may not want to walk an additional few minutes but this is what’s needs to be done to reduce run times on the trips