Transit Windsor

[MaT]

https://www.macrumors.com/2017/02/13/apple-maps-transit-detroit-windsor/

[MaT]

http://windsorite.ca/2017/03/transit-windsor-to-see-new-buses-outdoor-led-signs-west-end-terminal-improvements-and-more/

[MaT]

 

Windsor committee approves public transit deal with LaSalle

 

 

A five-year agreement to provide bus service on a 45-minute route through the town, connecting LaSalle with Windsor routes at St. Clair College was approved unanimously Wednesday by the city’s transportation committee. Committee chairman Bill Marra said city council as a whole should be voting on the proposed deal in the coming weeks.

“Hopefully, this will be embraced by residents,” said Marra, adding the hope is for the transit service outside Windsor to eventually be expanded.

Windsor will charge an hourly rate for the service, which will run 12 hours daily from Monday to Saturday beginning in September, that starts at $51.27 and increases annually to $61.70 in 2021.

In a report to the committee, executive director Patrick Delmore said the proposed annual hours of service equate to approximately 6,700 hours. That figure was used to determine the hourly cost.

 

“The hourly rates include a full cost recovery basis with no incremental costs to be borne by Transit Windsor,” Delmore said.

In addition, Transit Windsor will charge the town monthly for fuel consumption.

Passengers from LaSalle will be able to transfer to Windsor routes free of charge and passengers from Windsor can connect to the LaSalle route with a free transfer. Service in LaSalle will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a second bus added during peak hours.

The proposed fixed route will travel from St. Clair College through the town’s commercial district over to Front Road and to the Vollmer Complex along major roads such as Normandy Street, Malden Road, Reaume Road and Laurier Drive.

The city will purchase two fully equipped diesel buses for the new service that the town will pay for over a 12-year period. If the service contract is not renewed after five years, LaSalle will be responsible for payment of the full depreciated value of the buses.

Delmore said LaSalle anticipates 53,000 to 60,000 riders during the first three years but because it takes time to build ridership, service will be provided at no charge until Dec. 31 from LaSalle. Those who board the bus in Windsor would still be required to pay the fare.

Fares paid in LaSalle will be credited to the town.

[MaT]

http://www.iheartradio.ca/am800/news/zehrs-sponsors-fireworks-shuttle-for-a-9th-year-1.2687161

[MaT]

From the Windsor Star...  article #1

Transit Windsor’s entry into LaSalle, providing bus service in the town starting in September, is a “really big deal,” Mayor Drew Dilkens said Monday.


 

“This is what I consider to be the bones of a regional transit system.”

The last time there was any semblance of buses running between Windsor and towns in the county was 1978, Dilkens said, as council formally approved a new agreement with the Town of LaSalle.

Transit Windsor is providing the service on a cost-recovery basis. It’s charging a $51.27 hourly rate, plus LaSalle is paying for fuel, the cost of bus stops and other infrastructure, as well as the cost over 12 years to buy two new diesel buses.

LaSalle is expecting 53,000 to 60,000 riders annually. To spur ridership, the service will be free until Dec. 31. The 45-minute LaSalle route, which was designed to cover 70 per cent of households, will connect into the Windsor system.

 

Once LaSalle riders start paying, the $3 fare paid in LaSalle will go to LaSalle to help offset its costs. If they take the bus from Windsor into LaSalle, Transit Windsor keeps the $3.

“This is going to be very good for the (LaSalle) community and will also benefit the City of Windsor because it will provide 60,000 additional riders,” said Coun. Bill Marra, who chairs the Transit Windsor board. He said he’s hoping LaSalle’s experience will lead to other municipalities also asking for service from Transit Windsor. 
 

Article #2

 

Windsor city council agrees to LaSalle transit partnership

Deal could be the beginning of larger regional transit operations, say Windsor city councillors

 

Windsor city councillors were once again talking regional transit Monday as they gleefully approved a deal that will connect the city's bus operations to the Town of LaSalle. 

Mayor Drew Dilkens hopes the new system can serve as a successful example that may eventually stretch to other communities in Essex County. 

• LaSalle motors ahead with public transit plans

"We think it just makes more sense to scale up an existing system that's already very large and operational and now the benefit is to the residents of the Town of LaSalle who get to enjoy that experience," he said. "I hope this is just the start of regional transit."

In the deal, LaSalle will buy two buses from Transit Windsor. Both buses will travel from St. Clair College through the town's main business district, to the Vollmer Centre and Front Road, eventually connecting to Windsor's system. 

LaSalle Mayor Ken Antaya has been eager to establish a transit system that connects to Windsor. Bus service is just some of the features people look for when relocating to a community, he explained back in March when his council approved the deal. 

"I am really excited about this," he said at the time.

 

 

[MaT]

TRANSIT WINDSOR PREPARING FOR LITTLE CAESARS ARENA

 

Changes are on the way for the tunnel bus and the special events bus.

Transit Windsor Executive Director Pat Delmore says with the arrival of Little Caesars Arena, transit is looking into its routes.

He says some changes will have to be made, but after speaking to officials in Detroit, Transit will wait until the arena complex is open and see how the traffic flows in the area.

Delmore says Transit has had meeting with officials from Detroit.

"We have taken part in a number of meetings with regards to a number of transportation issues in the downtown core and certainly, well it may be a number of months away from opening, it's certainly not too far off to begin planning and preparing."

He says there is a chance for one main drop off spot in the stadium, arena, theatre district.

"One of the things that we are considering and looking into is a complete route change that would incorporate providing service to that area on a consistent basis with our regular tunnel route."  

Delmore adds, for the time being, the routes and drop off spots will remain the same.

Little Caesars Arena is set to open in September.

[TTC T6H-5307N 2252]

I heard the Classic's (TC40-102N) were retired, Can anyone confirm?

[140 Southshore]

8 hours ago, MaT said:

TRANSIT WINDSOR PREPARING FOR LITTLE CAESARS ARENA

 

Changes are on the way for the tunnel bus and the special events bus.

Transit Windsor Executive Director Pat Delmore says with the arrival of Little Caesars Arena, transit is looking into its routes.

He says some changes will have to be made, but after speaking to officials in Detroit, Transit will wait until the arena complex is open and see how the traffic flows in the area.

Delmore says Transit has had meeting with officials from Detroit.

"We have taken part in a number of meetings with regards to a number of transportation issues in the downtown core and certainly, well it may be a number of months away from opening, it's certainly not too far off to begin planning and preparing."

He says there is a chance for one main drop off spot in the stadium, arena, theatre district.

"One of the things that we are considering and looking into is a complete route change that would incorporate providing service to that area on a consistent basis with our regular tunnel route."  

Delmore adds, for the time being, the routes and drop off spots will remain the same.

Little Caesars Arena is set to open in September.

Well, if that routing change somehow does not go through, at least the Tunnel Bus already connects to the Q-Line at Congress and Woodward, so there's that.

Speaking of Tunnel Bus routing changes, I'm sure it's already changed slightly due to the permanent closure to vehicular traffic of the southernmost block of Woodward for a pedestrian plaza, as many SMART routes have been rerouted around that too.

[MaT]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/sandwich-roundabout-construction-tracks-1.4173658


!!!!!

[Bernie]

11 hours ago, TTC T6H-5307N 2252 said:

I heard the Classic's (TC40-102N) were retired, Can anyone confirm?

The Classic's have been retired since last November because of the cost to repair them, just wasn't worth repairing them. They have sat at the east side of the garage since then. They will two of the buses replace when the 24 new Nova's come this fall.

[TTC T6H-5307N 2252]

On 2017-06-24 at 11:02 PM, Bernie said:

The Classic's have been retired since last November because of the cost to repair them, just wasn't worth repairing them. They have sat at the east side of the garage since then. They will two of the buses replace when the 24 new Nova's come this fall.

Delete

[MaT]

 

Today's Windsor Star

 

Transit Windsor hit by perfect storm of good news, including higher ridership

 

 

Transit Windsor has been hit by a perfect storm of good news, crediting a jump in ridership to a number of recent and ongoing improvements and expansion to the city’s public transportation system.

Ridership is suddenly up and expected to rise further in the near future. Executive director Pat Delmore cites a number of developments for the bright outlook:

• $20 million in new federal/city funding to pay for 24 new buses and 150 new solar-powered bus shelters, with the second phase of funding still to come.
• New technology helping the system operate better and inform riders exactly when their bus is due.
• A partnership with LaSalle to provide a route through the town that connects with the Windsor system starting in September.
• The resounding success of the U-Pass program approved last year in a referendum by University of Windsor graduate and undergrad students who pay an extra $66 per semester for a universal bus pass. With 12,500 U-Passes in circulation during the winter semester, students are filling the buses, not just to go to school, but to travel throughout the city day and night. 

   

  Ridership, which had been stagnant in recent years, is up 3.5 per cent, thanks to U-Pass, equating to 227,000 more bus rides a year. And now part-time students have voted to join the U-Pass program starting in the fall.

  “The uptake has been very, very impressive,” said Coun. Bill Marra, who chairs the Transit Windsor board and is hopeful of getting St. Clair students on board with a U-Pass program as well. “Getting more students on the buses and exposed to public transit has been very, very valuable,” he said.

  All these new initiatives are aimed at increasing ridership, Delmore said. And when that happens, revenue climbs and improvements to the system are possible, which again leads to increased ridership, revenues and more improvements, he added.

   

   

  The U-Pass program was supposed to be revenue neutral, meaning the money lost from $66-per-month bus passes that some students bought was offset by getting $66 per semester from everyone. But the program has generated more revenue than expected because fewer students than predicted opted out (they can opt out if they live in the county), enrolment was higher than expected and the increased ridership has resulted in more cash from the province’s gas tax. That extra money will be ploughed back into improving service to the students, Delmore said.

  “This builds a community, it really does, because it gives you the additional dollars into the system to help you to build it, and then other people are attracted to the service,” Delmore said of the U-Pass program.

  He said if St. Clair students agree to a similar deal, service would first have to be improved on the routes that service the college’s main campus. And that would improve service for everyone in South Windsor.

  “If we had every-15-minute or every-10-minute service on the Dominion 5 (one of two routes that service St. Clair), how many people might say: ‘You know what? I don’t necessarily need a second car or a third car,'” Delmore said. “That’s the whole goal of what a student bus pass can do for a community.”

  University of Windsor Students’ Alliance vice-president Sarah Noureddine said the program has definitely been a success. Students are riding the bus more frequently and enjoying the value, she said. “Sixty-six dollars a semester is much more doable than the current monthly fee for a transit pass,” she said, adding she expects even more students will use the U-Pass when the part-time students start using it and the LaSalle service starts in September. 

  Though LaSalle gets the ridership revenue when someone gets on the bus in LaSalle, Transit Windsor gets the money when that rider boards in Windsor to go back to LaSalle. Delmore and Marra both hope the LaSalle service will be such a success that other neighbouring municipalities — including Tecumseh, which has its own bus service that doesn’t integrate with Transit Windsor — will be interested in a similar arrangement.

  The result, said Delmore, could be a truly integrated regional transit system.

[MaT]

Ok so for the articles earlier indicating that they were already setting up bus stops in lasalle, I just figured out what they meant. I just found this article online. Its signs that say future bus stop.

 

http://www.iheartradio.ca/am800/news/lasalle-setting-up-bus-stops-for-new-transit-service-1.2791951

[MaT]

 

From the Windsor Star today

 

LaSalle begins construction of new transit system shelters

LASALLE — Work begins within days on new bus shelters and bus stop accessibility pads after town council on Tuesday approved $164,000 to get its new transit system in place for September.

“I’m looking forward to it — a lot of people are looking forward to it,” said Mayor Ken Antaya.

An official launch date at the municipal complex will be held Aug. 23 to introduce and promote the new service, which begins the day after Labour Day and includes free rides until Dec. 31.

Two Transit Windsor buses will provide service along a 45-minute route designed to cover 70 per cent of households and link to the city’s own bus route network. Every stop is being made wheelchair accessible with curb cuts, said Antaya. The buses will be able to lower their floors to allow for easier boarding.

The mayor, who said he’ll be riding the entire bus route the first few days, believes LaSalle’s seniors, in particular, will be using the service to get around, including to the Vollmer Complex for recreation and the Civic Complex.

After the free period, there will be a $3 fare. LaSalle is anticipating up to 60,000 riders annually.

The city is hopeful LaSalle’s par

 

[Girardin71]

LaSalle just posted a flyer on their Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TownofLaSalle/ 

The route is LaSalle 25.

[MaT]

BIngo! The 25 Lasalle, or as we say it down here, the Lasalle 25(name first, number last)

https://icreate-essex.esolutionsgroup.ca/231110_LaSalle/en/our-community/resources/Transit/Bus-Schedule-August-11_2017-for-website.pdf

[MaT]

Transit Windsor updated their site, now the 25 lasalle is up under the schedules and maps page.  The system map still hasnt been updated, but im sure it will be at some point.

http://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/transitwindsor/Routes-and-Schedules/Pages/Schedules-and-Maps.aspx

[Girardin71]

This passed Monday the stop signs went up around LaSalle.  Cement pad may or may not be ready by Tuesday.  I will be checking it out on Wednesday as tuesday i work.

[Girardin71]

Today 571 and 574 were used on the LaSalle 25 

here is am800 article

http://www.iheartradio.ca/am800/news/lasalle-transit-service-has-its-first-riders-1.3240629

[Bernie]

3 hours ago, Girardin71 said:

Today 571 and 574 were used on the LaSalle 25 

here is am800 article

http://www.iheartradio.ca/am800/news/lasalle-transit-service-has-its-first-riders-1.3240629

The first bus east bound was 572 as I got on at the Vollmer center and rode to St.Clair College and back and the first west bound was 574 as I got photos of both buses at the Vollmer Center. At 11 am  the east bound bus stops and its driver takes over the west bound bus at 11.19 am for this driver take its lunch break  at the Vollmer Center. At this time at the Vollmer Center is a good spot for photos as the west bound bus has a 5 minutes layover for changing of the drivers.

[newflyerinvero]

4 hours ago, Girardin71 said:

Today 571 and 574 were used on the LaSalle 25 

here is am800 article

http://www.iheartradio.ca/am800/news/lasalle-transit-service-has-its-first-riders-1.3240629

Seems as if that for the time being that the newest Novas are operating the 25, based on what was being advertising and shown during the 'preview press conference' last week.

If an XD40 was used and/or any other LF bus is used for this route, would those residents notice or would they just not care and just feel that it's still a Transit Windsor bus...?

[Girardin71]

Yes i forgot 572 was out the morning serving the 25.  But later in the day it was changed off and they new driver had 571.  they will most likely use nova's but if there isn't one available than they may use another bus as long that bus is equipped with automated announcements.     

[MaT]

Well, here's the latest on Regional Transit guys lol.  Next up, Amherstburg in talks now.

http://windsor.ctvnews.ca/amherstburg-looking-at-public-transit-options-1.3586239

 

"Now that LaSalle has established transit buses, the Town of Amherstburg is looking into the idea.

The chief administrator of Amherstburg says his staff is holding talks with Transit Windsor.

John Miceli has been told there maybe new incentives coming down the road.

Administration has been asked to prepare a feasibility report on joining a regional transit system.

LaSalle began its regular service after the Labour Day weekend."

 

[MaT]

Also another article about Amherstburg, this time from AM800.

http://www.iheartradio.ca/am800/news/amherstburg-to-review-costs-to-offer-transit-1.3282503

 

Could the town of Amherstburg be next to jump on board a regional transit service?

Monday night, Amherstburg Council asked administration to prepare a report on the feasibility of offering transit in town.

"Now that LaSalle is on board, our residents really want us to look at it again and that is why we directed administration to enter discussions to see whether or not it is feasible," says Councillor Diane Pouget.

Pouget believes it would especially benefit students who are trying to get to the university or college as well as seniors who have doctor's appointments and specialist appointments in the city.

"It appears it would be more feasible with LaSalle working with the city of Windsor and I think it would be a good fit for us to join."

Pouget says years ago, Amherstburg Council tried to work with other municipalities to offer regional transit but the will wasn't there because it was too expensive.  But she says now that LaSalle has hopped on board, it makes sense to study the idea.

Pouget says a lot depends on the financial implications of offering the service.

With files from AM800's Zander Broeckel

 

[MaT]

 

From the Windsor Star

 

After launch of LaSalle bus service, Amherstburg mulls public transit

 

Amherstburg is interested in kicking the tires on the idea of providing transit bus service similar to the one LaSalle launched last week.

“I think it’s something we should look into,” Amherstburg Mayor Aldo DiCarlo said. “If we can afford it, it’s something we should offer.”

Council has directed administration to investigate the matter further.

LaSalle’s new transit service is offering a 90-stop route from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The town purchased two buses and pays $400,000 annually to Transit Windsor for the service.

 

 

“It’s still early days but there’s been a lot of positive feedback,” LaSalle CAO Kevin Miller said Friday. “The community is embracing it.”

According to Transit Windsor, LaSalle’s service attracted 609 riders from last Tuesday through Saturday, respectable numbers for a new service, according to Transit Windsor executive director Pat Delmore.

Delmore noted LaSalle did a lot of the ‘back-end work’ on establishing a service through a two-phase feasibility study that looked at community interest and logistics.

“We were probably close to a year in discussions on how it would roll out and what it would look like,” Delmore said. “Seeing it kick off last week felt really good because it was so long in the making.”

Amherstburg CAO John Miceli noted part of LaSalle’s feasibility study would apply to Amherstburg.

“Ours is more of an exercise in costing and ridership,” he said. “If we do it strategically, I think we’ll be well served. I think there’s a really good opportunity to look at it now ahead of all the development that’s coming our way. “

Miceli is confident there are incentives coming from the federal level of government because of a Liberal push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve public transit.

He’d like to meet with Delmore as soon as next week.

“We’ve always been contemplating working with Transit Windsor,” Miceli said. “Now that LaSalle has secured their transit and the federal government is pushing public transit we’re going to look at it a little more seriously.”

DiCarlo cautions residents that, like arenas, public transit is a money loser.

“Whatever cost there is, do not think you’re going to make it back,” DiCarlo said. “We would, as a town, be subsidizing public transit.”

DiCarlo wants to crunch the numbers first.

“Let’s get the facts and data and then make an informed decision on whether it’s something we can afford to do.”

 

 

 

 

And also from AM800

 

SUCCESSFUL WEEK FOR TRANSIT WINDSOR'S SPECIAL EVENTS BUS

 

 

So far so good for Transit Windsor's new tunnel bus drop off location near Little Caesars Arena.

Executive Director Pat Delmore says transit has been dropping off riders this week for the Kid Rock concerts.

He says the drop off location and pick up spot are just steps away from the new arena complex.

"The arena right there, right in sight.  It's a closer distance then what they had to walk to travel to Joe Louis."    

He says he's pleased with how the first few nights have gone.

"This is really a great test period for us to evaluate the routing that we put in place.  We worked closely with the City of Detroit with regards to our pick up and drop location.

Transit Windsor will continue to monitor the drop off and pick up location.

"What we're going to be doing is sitting back over the next number of months and evaluating the whole traffic flow before and after events to see how best to accommodate any future tunnel bus routing," he says. "But for the time being all of our events will be handled from the same location for any event at Little Caesars Arena, we're very pleased with it."  

The Kid Rock concerts are the first event at Little Caesars Arena, which opened earlier this week.

Delmore says Transit Windsor will be providing transportation to Pistons and Red Wing games as well as concerts and other events happening at the arena complex.