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TTC Service Changes


Mike

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It's easy to think that this is just a roadway reconstruction, indeed the TTC notice makes it seem so, but in many cases bus terminal roadways are supported by the station structure. I would be willing to bet that this bus roadway reconstruction also includes structural slab work. 

In the GTA and Ontario many sectors of the construction industry are absolutely saturated with work and that is particularly true for the structural segment. Simply put there's not enough resources (companies, project managers, skilled trades, etc) to get these projects moving any faster at a reasonable cost. 

I'm sure the capital managers at the TTC did their research and established a project timeline that they felt would be attractive to competition in these types of market conditions. The TTC does have a huge capital backlog afterall and spending extra money for expedience isn't exactly prudent. 

Let's look at a couple City of Toronto tenders for structural work on the Gardiner that have had relatively tight timelines to put things in perspective.

The EB York-Bay-Yonge offramp tender returned a single bid in 2017. City Staff followed up with relevant companies in the field to determine why they didn't bid and excess workload/tight timelines was the primary reason cited. 

In late 2018 the City put out another tender with tight timelines, this one for the rehabilitation of twelve bents and five piers of the Gardiner Expressway. It ended up returning two bids. The low bid at $9.6 million by Torbridge Construction and the second bid at $17.4 million by Bridgecon Construction.  Both are contractors that bid on TTC structural work. 

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Any reason why the wait time for the PM peak is being increased on 50 Burnhamthorpe?

I often take 49 Bloor West and 50 Burnhamthorpe and I don’t see any difference in terms of ridership.. and It always looks like 49 is always getting better service while 50 is way underserved. 

CD1E99BE-436B-42D4-80EB-CED8A8A992D3.jpeg

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Often they tender projects having 3 people working on them. Of course it takes forever. On the other hand, when TTC does trackwork, the photo will have 20 guys. 5 actually seem like they are working, 15 just staring at the 5 guys working. I guess this is normal for North America.

 

2 hours ago, raptorjays said:

Any reason why the wait time for the PM peak is being increased on 50 Burnhamthorpe?

I often take 49 Bloor West and 50 Burnhamthorpe and I don’t see any difference in terms of ridership.. and It always looks like 49 is always getting better service while 50 is way underserved. 

CD1E99BE-436B-42D4-80EB-CED8A8A992D3.jpeg

If you read the comments from Steve Munro's blog, the TTC has been padding time on every route in the name of reliability. The TTC claims they have a new software to write better scheduled that actually matches conditions. They even claim that the 512 St Clair had a 20% improvement with this new way of scheduling. No, there's no ridership increase and many routes are underserved with all these extra time added.

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 8/17/2019 at 2:08 PM, raptorjays said:

Any reason why the wait time for the PM peak is being increased on 50 Burnhamthorpe?

I often take 49 Bloor West and 50 Burnhamthorpe and I don’t see any difference in terms of ridership.. and It always looks like 49 is always getting better service while 50 is way underserved. 

CD1E99BE-436B-42D4-80EB-CED8A8A992D3.jpeg

50 schedule was unrealistic even at the best of times.

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On 8/31/2019 at 6:18 PM, andyman said:

50 schedule was unrealistic even at the best of times.

I really think PM peak is unrealistic... The bus gets really full nowadays during weekday afternoon rush... 

and it is so funny because 50 always gets reduced service during summer and winter breaks while 49 has same level of service all season long

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With today's service change, 511 is back to all CLRV - I'm surprised, I thought it would be a CLRV/Flexity mix still.

Interestingly, run 26 on 506 has been a Flexity all day (car 4459) (with 27 other CLRVs out, as well as the usual AM peak buses).

508 was all Flexity and 501 has also been all Flexity (and buses with the construction diversion in the east end).

 

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2 hours ago, nfitz said:

With today's service change, 511 is back to all CLRV - I'm surprised, I thought it would be a CLRV/Flexity mix still.

Interestingly, run 26 on 506 has been a Flexity all day (car 4459) (with 27 other CLRVs out, as well as the usual AM peak buses).

508 was all Flexity and 501 has also been all Flexity (and buses with the construction diversion in the east end).

 

Might as well rack up all the mileage on all the working CLRVs

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1 hour ago, Ed T. said:

The TV version of CP24 was saying that there were more buses both on Eglinton and Royal York. I presume that's on 73B.

More likely on 73C or D. Scarlett Heights CI is 3 stops north of La Rose Ave where 73B turns off of Royal York Rd.

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41 minutes ago, Xtrazsteve said:

They should run a special branch of 32 that starts off in from of Scarlett Heights and turn east on Eglinton. They have a 32 that does that for Michael Powers like this.

they have been putting one of the mt dennis rad buses on a special 32 trip for york memorial students that starts from royal york & trehorne. It goes south on royal york to eglinton, then east on eglinton to eglinton west station. It leaves royal york & trehorne around 3:05 pm. I know that a mt dennis rad was on there today and yesterday, not sure about before then.

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TTC: TDSB should have told us (about a massive fire that was in the news for days)

TDSB: we didn’t tell TTC in the past and shouldn’t have to now

Guys: you’re both wrong.

There should have been an immediate working group with the trustee and the councillor involved (not least to seek assistance in keeping fare evasion low and queueing orderly in exchange for the extra capacity)

Also intrigued about why extra capacity “not available until January”. Presumably signups could have been adjusted by November or December, so this is presumably about vehicles.

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9 hours ago, Young said:

I wonder when they’re gonna change to Artic buses on routes 935 and 927

 

5 hours ago, bus_7246 said:

After the route shuffle when McNicoll opens, that may happen 

According to the most recent fleet plan, 68 new artics are being procured for 2021 so there will most definitely be more artics out on more routes. I think that the TTC should order the LFS Artic HEVs.

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11 minutes ago, Shemar said:

 

According to the most recent fleet plan, 68 new artics are being procured for 2021 so there will most definitely be more artics out on more routes. I think that the TTC should order the LFS Artic HEVs.

Out of that 68, 7 of them were supposed to be eBuses. We might see some XE60s as that seems like the only option right now. There is a chance the rest would be XDE60s if they are getting some NFIs.

2 hours ago, dowlingm said:

Also intrigued about why extra capacity “not available until January”. Presumably signups could have been adjusted by November or December, so this is presumably about vehicles.

If you ask the TTC, they'll say it takes a few months to prep the schedules and shifts to add them to regular service. Ops book their vacations months in advance so they might not have people to fill them. As to why not just add the runs in and have spareboard fill them, who knows. If they don't get filled, then use the RAD buses.

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15 hours ago, dowlingm said:

TTC: TDSB should have told us (about a massive fire that was in the news for days)

TDSB: we didn’t tell TTC in the past and shouldn’t have to now

Guys: you’re both wrong.

There should have been an immediate working group with the trustee and the councillor involved (not least to seek assistance in keeping fare evasion low and queueing orderly in exchange for the extra capacity)

Also intrigued about why extra capacity “not available until January”. Presumably signups could have been adjusted by November or December, so this is presumably about vehicles.

Great timing as with the reopening of Royal York station the 73 saw a service reduction. But 2 added buses are running from Eg West and north on Royal York. 

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Key service changes for October 2019:
https://www.ttc.ca/Coupler/Editorial/Special_Features/index.jsp

Quote

Service improvements
> Implementation of recommendations in the Junction Area Study, which includes changes to the following routes:
   - 30 High Park (formerly 30 Lambton).
   - 40 Junction-Dundas West (formerly 40 Junction).
   - 71 Runnymede.
   - 189 Stockyards (new service).
> 941 Keele Express – New express stops will be added at St. Regis Crescent and to serve the Stanley Greene Neighbourhood.
> 506/306 Carlton – Low-floor streetcar conversion will begin. Temporary additional streetcar service will be operated to ensure adequate capacity until full deployment is complete at the end of the October Board Period.
> 509 Harbourfront – Service will be increased in the morning peak period to reduce crowding.
> Queen’s Quay West (Spadina to Union Station) – Service will be blended during most periods between Spadina Avenue and Union Station on the 509 Harbourfront and 510 Spadina routes.

 

New construction projects
- Keele Station Easier Access – Partial closure of bus terminal in preparation for construction in spring 2020.
- Runnymede Station Easier Access – Full closure of bus terminal until late 2020.
- Metrolinx Line 6 Finch West construction at Keele and Finch.

Construction projects ending
- City of Toronto Dundas Street West Watermain Replacement – Temporary service changes on 505 Dundas will end.

Construction projects continuing
- Bus roadway rehabilitation at Sheppard West Station until late 2020.
- City and TTC road work at Queen and Kingston Road until November 2019.
- Jane Station until October/November 2019.
- Davisville Station until January 2020.
- McNicoll Garage impacting the 42 Cummer until December 2019.
- City Construction at Coxwell Avenue rail underpass, south of Danforth Avenue, until October/November 2019.
- Watermain work on Pape Avenue until November 2019.
- City construction on Wellington Street until December 2019.
- Roncesvalles Carhouse renovation continues until December 2019.
- Roncesvalles Carhouse partial reopening – January to December 2019.
- Line 3 Scarborough – Vehicle Rehabilitation – January to December 2019.
- MX Eglinton LRT Construction (existing) – January to December 2019.
- MX Eglinton LRT Construction – RAD buses – January to December 2019.
- MX Finch West LRT Construction – January to December 2019.
- City Construction at Six Points – January to December 2019.

Service changes requiring stop or stop announcement modifications
- Junction Area Study implementation

Quote

SERVICE CHANGES

Keele Station – Easier Access Construction – Bus Bay Impacts
Customer impact: Major
Effective date: September 2019 until early 2020
Construction will start at Keele Station for the Easier Access project. Part of the bus terminal will be occupied for construction staging and the bay assignments for bus routes at this station will need to move around to accommodate the construction. Changes will be co-ordinated through the Closures and Diversions Department.

Runnymede Station – Easier Access Construction – Bus Bay Impacts
Customer impact: Major
Effective date: October 13, 2019 until end of 2020
Construction will start at Runnymede Station for the Easier Access project. The entire bus terminal will be closed temporarily for construction and bus routes will need to divert:
> 71 Runnymede and 77 Swansea: will be interlined and operate continuously through Bloor Street in both directions. Customers will use on-street stops on Runnymede Road in front of Runnymede Station.
> 79 Scarlett Rd: will divert southbound via Annette Street, High Park Avenue and Bloor Street West to Runnymede Station. Southbound buses will serve a drop-off only stop in front of High Park Station. Northbound trips on the 79 Scarlett Rd will board in front of Runnymede Station.

Quote

30 Lambton changes to 30 High Park
> Route change – Junction Area Study
Customer impact: Major
Effective date: October 13, 2019 
As part of the Junction Area Study, this route will change to 30 High Park from 30 Lambton, and connect between High Park Station and Runnymede Loop at Runnymede Road and Dundas Street West. This service will replace the existing 30 Lambton service on the High Park Avenue corridor. Service will operate every 20 minutes at all times except the late evening when service operates every 15 minutes.

40 Junction changes to 40 Junction-Dundas West
> Route change – Junction Area Study
Customer impact: Major
Effective date: October 13, 2019 
As part of the Junction Area Study, the route will change to 40 Junction-Dundas West from 40 Junction, and operate from Dundas West Station to Kipling Station via Dundas Street West. This new route will replace part of the former 30 Lambton. Part of the service from Dundas West Station will turn back at Jane and St Clair in all periods of the week to provide higher frequency service in the Junction area. Service between Dundas West Station and Jane Street will operate every eight-to-nine minutes during peak periods and every 10-to-15 minutes in off-peak periods. Service west of Jane Street along Dundas Street West will operate every 16-to-18 minutes during the peak periods and every 20-to-30 minutes in the off-peak periods.

71 Runnymede
> Route change – Junction Area Study
> Service reliability improvement
Customer impact: Major
Effective date: October 13, 2019 
This route will change as part of the implementation of the improvements from the Junction Area Study. All service on this route will operate between Runnymede Station and Industry Street. Service north of St Clair will operate approximately every 10-to-15 minutes in all periods except late evening, which operates approximately every 20 minutes. Service along St Clair Avenue West previously operated by the 71A (Runnymede Stn-Gunns Loop) branch will be replaced by a new 189 Stockyards service that operates continuously along St Clair Avenue West to provide customers with better connections. The 189 Stockyards will operate from High Park Station and Keele Station, and along St Clair Avenue West between Keele Street and Scarlett Road. Schedules will also be revised, Monday to Friday, to improve service reliability. Service levels and trip times will change throughout the day.

> Temporary route change – Runnymede Station Easier Access construction
Service on this route will also be temporarily interlined with the 77 Swansea to accommodate Easier Access construction at Runnymede Station. The bus terminal will close and this route will interline with the 77 Swansea and operate continuously through Bloor Street West on Runnymede Avenue. This change is necessary in order to construct a new elevator between street level and the subway concourse. Construction is scheduled to be complete in late 2020.

77 Swansea
> Temporary route change – Runnymede Stn Easier Access construction
> Service reliability improvement
Customer impact: Moderate
Effective date: October 13, 2019 
Service on this route will be temporarily interlined with the 71 Runnymede to accommodate Easier Access construction at Runnymede Station. The bus terminal will close and this route will interline with the 71 Runnymede and operate through Bloor Street West on Runnymede Avenue. Schedules will be revised, all days of the week, to improve service reliability. Service levels and trip times will change throughout the day. This change is necessary in order to construct a new elevator between street level and the subway concourse. Construction is scheduled to be complete in late 2020.

79 Scarlett Rd
> Temporary route change – Runnymede Stn Easier Access construction
> Service reliability improvement
Customer impact: Major
Effective date: October 13, 2019 
Runnymede Station bus terminal will temporarily close to accommodate Easier Access construction and the 79 Scarlett Rd will need to be diverted. Buses will divert southbound via Annette Street, High Park Avenue and Bloor Street West to Runnymede Station. Southbound buses will serve a drop-off only stop in front of High Park Station. Northbound trips on the 79 Scarlett Rd will board in front of Runnymede Station. Schedules will be revised, Monday to Friday, to improve service reliability. Service levels and trip times will change throughout the day. This change is required to construct a new elevator between street level and the subway concourse. Construction is scheduled to be complete in late 2020.

189 Stockyards
> New service – Junction Area Study
Customer impact: Major
Effective date: October 13, 2019 
As part of the Junction Area Study, the new route 189 Stockyards will commence service. The 189 Stockyards will operate from High Park Station to Scarlett Road, via Keele Street and St Clair Avenue West. This route will operate all periods of the week, and will provide seamless service on St Clair Avenue West, west of Gunns Loop and 512 St Clair. Service will operate every 20-to-30 minutes at all times.

Routing Details
- 189 Eastbound: from west on St Clair Avenue West and Florence Crescent to north on Scarlett Road, east on Foxwell Street, south on Jane Street, east on St Clair Avenue West, south on Old Stock Yards Road, east on West Toronto Street, south on Keele Street, west on Bloor Street West, north on High Park Avenue into High Park Station.
-189 Westbound: from High Park Station to south on High Park Avenue, east on Bloor Street West, north on Keele Street, west on West Toronto Street, north on Old Stock Yards Road through to Gunns Road, west and south into Gunns Loop, west on St Clair Avenue West to Florence Crescent.

941 Keele Express
> New express stops
Customer impact: Moderate
Effective date: October 15, 2019 
Two new express stops will be introduced to 941 Keele Express to standardize stop express stop spacing on the corridor. The new stops will be at Keele Street and St Regis Crescent (stop ID 13924 and 4036), and at Keele Street and Whitburn Crescent/Downsview Park Boulevard (stop ID 4048 and 4047).

 

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1 hour ago, bus_7246 said:

I believe that is gone. Service replaced by the new 189 Stockyards bus

People didn't like the 79B being removed. The revised Junction survey maintains the 79 in the current state

Quote

It is proposed that existing services on St Clair Avenue West will be consolidated to
reduce service duplication on the corridor. Since the service on St Clair Avenue West,
east of Runnymede Road, will be replaced by the 189 STOCKYARDS, the resources on 
the 71A will be consolidated to the 71B RUNNYMEDE to Industry Street (Mt Dennis). Due
to customer feedback received from the previous public consultation session, the 79B
SCARLETT RD branch via St Clair Avenue West will be maintained and route structure on
79 SCARLETT RD will remain unchanged. The proposed headways for 71 RUNNYMEDE are
listed in Table 4.

http://ttc.ca/About_the_TTC/Commission_reports_and_information/Commission_meetings/2019/April_11/Reports/13_Routing_Changes_Junction_Area_Study.pdf#page=10

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