Transit Windsor

[AlexLy]

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=...,84.82,,2,-3.21

any one know what bus this one is?

A Classic...

[transit boy]

A Classic...

I know that but what city its not in the yellow windsor colours

[lap_screw]

I know that but what city its not in the yellow windsor colours

probably DDOT or that other city Windsor got a classic from.. too lazy to check

[newflyerinvero]

I know that but what city its not in the yellow windsor colours

Use your eyes!! Come on...you're being punked by a visually impaired person, too.

That is one of the ex-DRT Classics they had purchased second-hand back in 2008 or thereabouts. It was at around that time that hte livery for TW was revised to be in a 3-inch scheme. No wonder why it may have looked a bit different to you.

[MaT]

Use your eyes!! Come on...you're being punked by a visually impaired person, too.

That is one of the ex-DRT Classics they had purchased second-hand back in 2008 or thereabouts. It was at around that time that hte livery for TW was revised to be in a 3-inch scheme. No wonder why it may have looked a bit different to you.

Correct. Also if you look more closely, it looks like it has the leather back on it where the back window would be if it ever had one...if so, then that would make it Ex DRT 568!

[newflyerinvero]

Transit Windsor's 2011 XDE40s are now under the Ontario Transit Procurement contract, according to New Flyer's website.

[MaT]

Those should be for next year because in a few months we should be getting 6, not 5.

[newflyerinvero]

Corrected:

The Metrolinx 2011 contract indicates that the 2011 order will be delievered in March of 2012 with the 2012 order being delievered in November (?). Either case, they talk that the 2011 contract states that those buses will be XDE40s. So, I don't know whether or not the long-awaited deal since last year from DE40LFRs, to XDE40s that took a year to convert the order...now, more delays?

[MaT]

From am800

DOWNTOWN TROLLEY URGED

2011-06-30 06:28:30

The clang, clang, clang of a trolley may one day be heard in downtown Windsor. Transit Windsor is urging the city to include a trolley or streetcar system as part of downtown redevelopment. A trolley was introduced on a 3-month trial basis in 1994 but was cancelled because of low ridership.Transit Board member, Al Maghnieh, says this time is different. St. Clair College and University of Windsor campuses in the core combined with a new Aquatic Centre will make parking difficult and public transit is the answer.

From Windsor Star

Streetcars on Windsor streets are a vital component to the revitalization of the downtown core, says Coun. Al Maghnieh.

Transit Windsor board members voted Wednesday to have a report looking at the failed history and feasibility of streetcars in Windsor moved to a strategic planning meeting on Aug. 6.

"I hope that once we take this report to strategic planning we can look at what went wrong with the last trolley system and learn from that," Maghnieh said.

"It was a very different time back then ... so now that we're embarking on bringing thousands of families to the downtown core and making multimillion-dollar investments, it warrants alternative methods of transportation."

According to the report, Windsor was the first city in Canada, possibly North America, to have an electric streetcar system, introduced in 1886.

The city's growing population caused the rail system to flourish but it began to lose popularity with the evolution of the automobile.

Maghnieh said a shuttle service in the downtown was introduced in 1994 and was initially successful but was stopped because the trolley was unreliable and ridership dwindled.

But with a changing landscape in the downtown core, Maghnieh said, an alternative method of transportation would thrive and is now necessary.

"Parking is already a problem downtown and it's going to become an even bigger problem once this aquatic centre and library complex comes to the downtown," Maghnieh said.

"This encourages the use of public transit, makes it more effective in connecting people in and around the Water World and old public library to the core."

The report further examines costs incurred and strategies taken by other cities to introduce streetcars.

Portland, Ore., began its streetcar operations in 2001 and its 4.6-mile line was constructed for $12.4 million per mile using modern streetcars.

Other options addressed in the report are the use of a trolley illusions - a bus decorated to look like a trolley, or trolley replicas, a heavy duty transit bus converted to look like vintage style trolleys.

Both would be rubber-wheeled with the trolley illusion costing between $20,000 to $25,000 per bus and the trolley replica costing between $500,000 and $600,000 per bus.

The cost of a streetcar with an overhead wire is estimated to cost about $5 to $10 million per kilometre and $15 to $25 million per kilometre for a light rail. The cost of a high-speed, elevated monorail would cost about $6 to $10 million per kilometre. The cost of a fully electric bus is currently unknown.

Maghnieh said it's still too early to tell what a streetcar system would cost Windsor but said assistance would be available from the provincial and federal governments.

The board also voted Wednesday to revise the existing Ottawa 4 transit route to include Erie Street East during all evening hours after 6: 30 p.m. starting in September.

Because of the prospect of increased traffic downtown, the board voted to power wash and scrub the downtown transit terminal once a month as needed instead of twice a year.

Read more: http://www.windsorstar.com/news/Streetcar+...l#ixzz1Qse12Mxz

[MaT]

From am800 yesterday

SENIOR RIDERSHIP UP

2011-07-02 07:50:34

With National Seniors Month just wrapping up, Transit Windsor is calling their 2011 Senior Bus Promotion a success. This from Director of Operations for Transit Windsor, Pat Delmore, who says during the week-long promotion ridership was up more than 15-percent.Since 2008 the Seniors Bus Program has offered one dollar fares for seniors during the first week of June. The program is set to go again in 2012.

[Girardin71]

Yesterday at the Windsor International Transit Terminal Transit Windsor had posters about the new fare structure starting July 25 2011, The website is www.thebusstopshere.ca. The new transfer policy is 2 hours instead of 30mins.

[general682002]

Yesterday at the Windsor International Transit Terminal Transit Windsor had posters about the new fare structure starting July 25 2011, The website is www.thebusstopshere.ca. The new transfer policy is 2 hours instead of 30mins.

No more one-way continuous connection for transfer.

[Girardin71]

the Transfer policy is similar to other citing allowing any direction and i think that stopovers will be allow with this new policy. The transfer slips will have bar codes so that the new fare boxes can read them.

[MaT]

From today's Windsor Star

Transit board says no to streetcars

Plan for student U-Pass pursued

WINDSOR -- Plans for a downtown trolley have become derailed, officials announced Saturday.

In a Transit Windsor board of directors strategic planning session, board member and city councillor Al Maghnieh said the idea of city streetcars will not be pursued.

“With respect to rail, wires and the monetary return on the investment, it’s just not there with streetcars and trolleys at this time,” Maghnieh said from the meeting held at the Malden Park Visitor’s Centre. “We’ll strengthen our transit network and we’ll make further investments in the alternative methods of transportation for downtown.”

Instead, the board is exploring the idea of an electric bus shuttle.

Plans for alternative methods of public transportation are being viewed as attractive at this time with the planned aquatic centre and library complex soon to be built, and the relocation of post-secondary students to the downtown area.

In addition to strengthening old transit routes, new ones will be created Maghnieh said.

“I think this really made an invigorating debate when it comes to methods of transportation for downtown and around the city,” he said. “Transit has become a forefront when it comes to our city.”

Penny Williams, general manager of Transit Windsor, said electronic buses will revolutionize the transit industry.

A streetcar analysis report, which included electronic buses as an option, was submitted to the board.

“It’s certainly something interesting and probably is the future of public transit,” Williams said. “We’re always looking at environmentally friendly alternatives.”

A feasibility test will be conducted to determine the board’s decision on investing in E-buses.

Board members also heard from University of Windsor Students’ Alliance president Andre Capaldi.

In efforts to push through a U-Pass referendum in March 2012, Capaldi asked the board to strengthen ties with the school.

Since the late 1990s several attempts at including a student transit pass in the cost of tuition has been shot down by students. Windsor is one of the only universities in the country that doesn’t include student transit in tuition prices.

In attempts to form a partnership, Transit Windsor has offered a free shuttle service between the university and downtown for a back to school concert Sept. 6. The UWSA will seek city council’s approval Monday to hold the concert at the Riverfront Plaza.

Dragan Markovic, board member and president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 616, offered $1,000 toward the shuttle on behalf of the union.

Members are set to work with the UWSA on several initiatives to encourage students to vote for a U-Pass, including designing an app for phones that would include bus schedules and locations and potentially offering students a free week of city transit in the fall.

“I’m really confident in this referendum question because of the unique opportunity that has presented itself with the university’s intention to move music, visual arts and social work students to the downtown core,” Capaldi said, noting the decrease in school parking and the cost of university parking passes running in the hundreds.

An official cost of the U-Pass has not been determined, but would likely exclude students who commute from the county and can’t rely on public transportation to get to school.

The next meeting will be held the third week of September.

Read more: http://www.windsorstar.com/news/Transit+bo...l#ixzz1UH5pYHlL

[MaT]

From Am800

TRANSIT WINDSOR LOOKS TO EXPAND SERVICE

Transit Windsor wants to double the number of routes and add 32 new buses to its fleet. Those were two of the ideas to come out of a five-hour strategic planning session held by the board of directors over the weekend. Transit will also study the idea of including a student transit pass in the cost of tuition at the University of Windsor.

[MaT]

From The City of Windsor website

Transit Windsor's New Fare Structure Stars August 15th

Transit Windsor is announcing a new fare structure, which goes into effect on Monday, August 15th. “We’ve been working on this new fare program for some time,” says Councillor Bill Marra, Chair of Transit Windsor Board of Directors, “and we now have all of the details in place. This fare structure is quite different from the old program, so we wanted to be sure everyone was aware of the changes, especially before the start of the new school year.”

Effective August 15th, single cash fares for all riders will be $2.50. This applies to adults, seniors and students.

“While this represents an increase for some of these groups, we have some great programs in place for riders to save on their fares.” explains Marra. “Frequent riders can save the most by purchasing a monthly pass, and we still offer special rates on monthly passes for seniors and students.”

“For riders who may use the bus less frequently, we also have tickets available, which pass along savings as well,” says Penny Williams, Transit Windsor General Manager. “We offer sheets of five tickets, which can save up to 36% over individual cash fares.”

Monthly passes for Adult riders are $79.00, Students are $55.00 and Senior passes are $40.00. The 5-ticket sheets are available for Adults at $10.50, Students and Seniors at $8.00.

In addition to monthly passes and tickets, Transit Windsor is also offering Daily Pass Deals which give riders the opportunity to ride all day for a single fare of $7.50. The Daily Pass can also be purchased as a Family Pass at $7.50, which allows one adult and up to 4 children (ages 5-12) to ride all day. Another new feature is the 2-hour Open Window Transfer. You can travel in any direction using your transfer ticket for a 2 hour period. Under the old system, you had to travel in the same direction to use a transfer. For example, now you can take the bus to your doctor’s office, get a transfer and catch the same bus route back home – as long as it's within a 2 hour period. “Of course, only one transfer is available for each paid cash or ticket fare.” says Williams.

“We know it’s going to take everyone a while to familiarize themselves with the new fares, passes and ticket options,” says Williams, “so we wanted to be sure that this information was available before we put the program in place. If anyone has questions, or wants more information, we encourage them to stop by the main terminal downtown, call Customer Service at 519.944.4111 or go to our website www.TheBusStopsHere.ca for all the details.”

About Transit Windsor

As an agency of the City of Windsor, Transit Windsor management reports to a Board of Directors appointed by City Council and is responsible for planning, development, marketing and operation of public transit systems based on the policies and budget allocations established by City Council. Transit Windsor has provided service to the community for over 130 years. The current fleet consists of 104 transit coaches, including 67 low floor vehicles. More than 17% of the total fleet is using alternative fuel (fully accessible diesel-electric hybrid) and Transit Windsor buses log more than 5 million kilometers a year.

[MaT]

Saw 417 yesterday in the 3 inch stripes...so thats another VI with it....must be another one going in if it isnt already.

[MaT]

From the Windsor Star

Transit Windsor bus catches fire

WINDSOR, Ont. -- A Transit Windsor bus travelling on Dominion Boulevard suddenly had to be evacuated when the engine block caught fire on Saturday night.

According to the Windsor Fire Department, the bus was approaching Northwood Street at 9:40 p.m. when smoke began to rise from the rear engine block. The driver pulled over and exited the vehicle with passengers. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters quickly put out the blaze before it could fully engulf the vehicle. Transit Windsor towed the bus away once the fire was fully extinguished.

As of Sunday night, damage to the bus had not been assessed. The cause is being investigated, but police and fire officials have ruled out arson.

Looking at the pic and the video someone uploaded to the windsor star, its a VII, but I dont know which one.

[Girardin71]

On the front cover of the 2011 Fall Rider's Guide is what 619 will look when delivered. the test under the picture is "Watch for our new Xcelsior model hybrid buses to hit the streets soon. Eleven of the new buses will be added to your fleet this fall and will continue arriving until the spring of 2012"

[902]

Just wondering would there be any special events happening in Windsor that would put high floors out this weekend?

Also, Is the ex St. Thomas classic 554 still in service? I don't recall seeing it on any of my trips down but it could be bad timing on my part.

[Girardin71]

the summer service used mostly low floors and 554 is still in service just sat out for the summer.

499 was used a lot during the summer, on the 4 and 14.

during the summer the service is cut back and not all the high floors are needed.

[newflyerinvero]

This was a discussed a bit within the Tecumseh Transit thread, but I think it can be noteworthy to discuss it here.

The transfer policy I think may be the same as the TTC and other agencies whom are operating inside Toronto's borders.

In the case of Tecumseh's bus not allowing a transfer to Transit Windsor, that kind of puzzles me. The only thing that I feel may be the case here is to clearly indentify whether if any riders on the Tecumseh bus wish to get off prior to Tecumseh Mall. Anyone who wishes to board the Tecumseh Bus in Windsor can do so as long as they're headed to Tecumseh. Is that the same circumstances here? Since TW has yet to operate there, I guess they won't have to worry about it until the time comes.

[MaT]

Almost positive that I said before that it was 437 that had the fire.

[DL1892]

Almost positive that I said before that it was 437 that had the fire.

You may want to re-read your original post...

Looking at the pic and the video someone uploaded to the windsor star, its a VII, but I dont know which one.

[MaT]

You may want to re-read your original post...

I guess not...Must have been a text message or on msn then.