MiWay

[Orion VIII]

Service Changes for the December 4 board period are up:

http://www.mississauga.ca/ecity/download/;...amp;id=75200071

The new years specials suck as usual

[MT0603]

Look at the service changes, Drivers will be now calling out major stops, transfers and major locations over the P/A system. I noticed they started calling out stops a few weeks back on the 3.

[newflyerinvero]

Very nice.

Announcing major roads, other routes along those roads, too? It'd definitely benefit the visiually impaired like myself who'd like to know where the other MT buses and other intersections are....in other words, a better way to know where ya going.

[Orion VIII]

Good luck to MT drivers :angry:

When my 318 driver wanted to announce a detour we were taking, he leaned over, turned on the microphone, tapped it; nothing; hit another switch; nothing; then decided to tell us while we were stopped at the light at Hurontario. I doubt many of us heard him, but we got to CCT much faster that day and no one complained!

[MT0603]

Very nice.

Announcing major roads, other routes along those roads, too? It'd definitely benefit the visiually impaired like myself who'd like to know where the other MT buses and other intersections are....in other words, a better way to know where ya going.

It says on the service changes that drivers will announce all Major Intersections, transfers (so other routes that run within the stop) and Major locations such as the Subway, the CCT etc etc.

Good luck to MT drivers :angry:

When my 318 driver wanted to announce a detour we were taking, he leaned over, turned on the microphone, tapped it; nothing; hit another switch; nothing; then decided to tell us while we were stopped at the light at Hurontario. I doubt many of us heard him, but we got to CCT much faster that day and no one complained!

What kind of bus was it?

[Orion VIII]

What kind of bus was it?

9209, iirc. 1992 Orion V ex-CNG.

The destination sign was broken on Friday on 9126 on the 318, so I made a sign for my driver to put in the window for his subsequent run on the 206 :angry: The sign was stuck displaying "_ _ _ _ _ " for most of the trip to CCT, with the inside controller displaying something to the effect of "charcter limit exceeded". He pressed a button or two on the controller while stopped at a light and then it started displaying "_ _ _ _ Sorry... ~OUT OF SERVICE" After I alighted, another MT employee boarded and did something with the sign, so that it now displayed "VIA BURNTHORPE", the third exposure of route 318, continually. I hope that when the 97 Vs go for rebuild that they are retrofitted with LEDs...

[MT0603]

9209, iirc. 1992 Orion V ex-CNG.

The destination sign was broken on Friday on 9126 on the 318, so I made a sign for my driver to put in the window for his subsequent run on the 206 :angry: The sign was stuck displaying "_ _ _ _ _ " for most of the trip to CCT, with the inside controller displaying something to the effect of "charcter limit exceeded". He pressed a button or two on the controller while stopped at a light and then it started displaying "_ _ _ _ Sorry... ~OUT OF SERVICE" After I alighted, another MT employee boarded and did something with the sign, so that it now displayed "VIA BURNTHORPE", the third exposure of route 318, continually. I hope that when the 97 Vs go for rebuild that they are retrofitted with LEDs...

MT wont do cosmetic stuff like that when rebuilding a bus.

[general682002]

Good luck to MT drivers :angry:

When my 318 driver wanted to announce a detour we were taking, he leaned over, turned on the microphone, tapped it; nothing; hit another switch; nothing; then decided to tell us while we were stopped at the light at Hurontario. I doubt many of us heard him, but we got to CCT much faster that day and no one complained!

Well, good luck as not every drivers won't call major stops as some of them are silent. Seems that customers finally got their wishes.

The driver probably didn't know there's a volume adjustment to control the microphone.

[Gil]

Mississauga Transit has plans to extend their route 1W all the way to Trafalgar/Dundas, when the new Uptown Core Terminal is complete next summer. Construction has begun already...

Along with this, what would service into the new Lisgar GO Station look like? The Meadowvale GO 60 Shuttle pretty much goes past the new station along with the 38 at the Westgate Centre. Two-way service on the 60 between Lisgar and Meadowvale provided that they're both in the same fare zone? Maybe an extension of the 45 or a new route running down Tenth Line all the way to Eglinton? I know that MT was looking at that one. They were just waiting for more of Churchill Meadows to fill in.

I know that they've been trying to work out service on Argentia covered by the 38A, perhaps tying this route in along with a revamped 38 with service up Mississauga Rd. into Brampton to serve the pharmaceutical offices and the new developments around Mississauga and Steeles.

I still think that the 68 should eventually make its way up Terry Fox and loop through Heartland while providing a timed transfer with the 38 at some point.

[Orion VIII]

Along with this, what would service into the new Lisgar GO Station look like? The Meadowvale GO 60 Shuttle pretty much goes past the new station along with the 38 at the Westgate Centre. Two-way service on the 60 between Lisgar and Meadowvale provided that they're both in the same fare zone? Maybe an extension of the 45 or a new route running down Tenth Line all the way to Eglinton? I know that MT was looking at that one. They were just waiting for more of Churchill Meadows to fill in.

I know that they've been trying to work out service on Argentia covered by the 38A, perhaps tying this route in along with a revamped 38 with service up Mississauga Rd. into Brampton to serve the pharmaceutical offices and the new developments around Mississauga and Steeles.

I still think that the 68 should eventually make its way up Terry Fox and loop through Heartland while providing a timed transfer with the 38 at some point.

I'm sure the 38 will be extended to go into the station as I was told by a driver, who also told me that the loop on Argentia is not on city property for some reason, and a developer wanted to charge the city for using it. It wouldn't suprise me if Brampton Transit ran a route or two to the station, not only at train times, but at cenvenient transfer times to the 38 and possible (41?) service on Tenth Line. I cannot see a Ninth Line bus for at least 5 years because within that time sports facilities are supposed to be constructed all the way up the west side, and the development on the east side has already peaked. I've seen where the 35 loops, would that be a good transfer point for the Tenth Line bus? I would route it down Tenth Line to Eglinton, over to Ridgeway and down, over the new 403 overpass, to the current terminus of the 1.

As for 1 Dundas servicing Oakville, would Oakville pool a couple of buses to make up for the extra buses MT would have to use? It would only make sense, like BT/YRT's 77.

I have ridden the 38 up through Meadowpine and area in rush hours, and it nearly fills an Orion VI (98xx), so I couldn't see cutting service to there in favour of the pharmaceitical area, but I could see a new route going up there (Meadowvale TC-pharmaceutical) rather than extending a CCTT-Meadowvale route. I have heard too many stories about 15 minute layovers on the 10 at Meadowvale from a classmate who rides all the way from Copenhagen.

The 68 is definately a great idea. I would rather have Terry Fox service follow the 61's route from CCTT, turn left at White CLover way, up Wainscot (turns into Terry Fox) to Plymouth, east on Plymouth, across Mavis (turns into Rodeo) then continue on that road (turns into Belgrave) to Cantay, across Cantay (turns into Bancroft) to Silken Laumann (turns into Terry Fox) and back down the same way. It would serve all the houses around Terry Fox and Bancroft/Silken Laumann, the planned Wal Mart Supercentre at Matheson, all the shopping facilities around Heartland, then, north of Britannia, the indusrial warehouses. If MT is so concerned about only having houses on one side of Terry Fox between Blue Heron and Plymouth, then they could route it via Heatherleigh between White Clover and Matheson. (If the section between Bristol and north of Winterton ever gets built.

Another one of my crazy ideas for the 61. Pool 61A service with Brampton Transit. scrap the Twain loop, it is served by the 66. Run up Mavis (turns into Chinguacousy) up to Bovaird, then over to Mount Pleasant GO. I would implement a 261 service from CCTT, routed northbound via Station Gate and Centre View, with stops at Huntington (very busy stop from my experiences), Eglinton, Bristol, Matheson, Britannia, Bancroft, Courtney Park, Crawford Mill, Twain, Ray Lawson, Steeles, Charolais, Drinkwater, Queen, Bovaird to Mount Pleasant.

I will post more of my ideas later, I have to go now

[Mr. Engineer]

BT and MT pooling buses to run from CCT to Mount Pleasant GO sounds like a really far out idea, but it could be a good one. Ive noticed that the 77 is about the only route that's run by 2 transits in the whole GTA. Are there any others like this? I like your idea of putting in an express service along there too. The 77 could use something like that. Too many passengers who normally take the BT route 1 east on Queen get on the 77 looking for local sevice from BCC. It slows down service, especially through Brampton.

I thought someone would also come up with pooling buses on the 19, then running it to Heart Lake, via the BT route 2. I dont think 'interlining' the 19 is a good idea because that route is huge and needs some kind of break in the middle. It doesnt sound like a good idea to 'interline' the 19 right out to Heart Lake.

BT could also pool buses for the maglauclin route (sorry, cant spell... you know what I mean). BT route 3 runs right out the Mount Pleasant too. It could be interlined with the MT 66 as they both go to Sheridan college (im not sure of the details, as Ive moved from south brampton to north brampton).

What Im trying to say is, you bringing up pooling buses on other routes gives me the idea that alot more routes could use this service format; North to South and BT could use some more West to East routes into York/Toronto. Perhaps BT, MT, YRT, TTC should look into this more deeply.

[NSX]

Look at the service changes, Drivers will be now calling out major stops, transfers and major locations over the P/A system. I noticed they started calling out stops a few weeks back on the 3.

Well, good luck as not every drivers won't call major stops as some of them are silent. Seems that customers finally got their wishes.

The driver probably didn't know there's a volume adjustment to control the microphone.

Yeah, what's up with that?

I thought with the TTC getting in trouble over the non-announcement of stops, the other transit systems would realize that it's important.

I think it's especially important for routes where it's really crowded, and you can't see out the window, e.g. route 5 Dixie. Alot of times, people missed their stop because they were stuck in the middle, and weren't able to see the current location of the bus.

Even more amazing is how visually impaired people have been getting around with MT - how do they know when to depart?

[newflyerinvero]

BT and MT pooling buses to run from CCT to Mount Pleasant GO sounds like a really far out idea, but it could be a good one. Ive noticed that the 77 is about the only route that's run by 2 transits in the whole GTA. Are there any others like this? I like your idea of putting in an express service along there too. The 77 could use something like that. Too many passengers who normally take the BT route 1 east on Queen get on the 77 looking for local sevice from BCC. It slows down service, especially through Brampton.

I thought someone would also come up with pooling buses on the 19, then running it to Heart Lake, via the BT route 2. I dont think 'interlining' the 19 is a good idea because that route is huge and needs some kind of break in the middle. It doesnt sound like a good idea to 'interline' the 19 right out to Heart Lake.

BT could also pool buses for the maglauclin route (sorry, cant spell... you know what I mean). BT route 3 runs right out the Mount Pleasant too. It could be interlined with the MT 66 as they both go to Sheridan college (im not sure of the details, as Ive moved from south brampton to north brampton).

All of those ideas are pretty good, except the 19 interling with the Route 2.

What I really like is the 66 becoming a Route 53-Kingknoll. The problem is that the 53 is a short route but I do believe it's already interlined with a route (4)?

The Brampton McLaughlin route doesn't go to Sheridan, whereas 52-McMurchy and 53-Kingknoll do.

Therefore, the only logical prospect of route interlining between the two transiits would be in my opinioni, the 66, interling with the 53 to go to Shoppers World. It comes back down its loop and then become a 66 at Sheridan.

[Mr. Engineer]

All of those ideas are pretty good, except the 19 interling with the Route 2.

What I really like is the 66 becoming a Route 53-Kingknoll. The problem is that the 53 is a short route but I do believe it's already interlined with a route (4)?

The Brampton McLaughlin route doesn't go to Sheridan, whereas 52-McMurchy and 53-Kingknoll do.

Therefore, the only logical prospect of route interlining between the two transiits would be in my opinioni, the 66, interling with the 53 to go to Shoppers World. It comes back down its loop and then become a 66 at Sheridan.

Sorry. I knew i messed up some details. I still say the the two McLaughlin routes should be interlined, with a spur off to Shoppers World, because it would be one continuous route through brampton and northern Mississauga. and hey, with routes like that interlined with MT, that means more LFRs in Brampton! I still havnt ridden one...

[general682002]

Even more amazing is how visually impaired people have been getting around with MT - how do they know when to depart?

Mississauga have much less visual impaired passengers than Toronto.

Only way you can make sure your stop arrives is ask the driver.

[Orion V]

BT and MT pooling buses to run from CCT to Mount Pleasant GO sounds like a really far out idea, but it could be a good one. Ive noticed that the 77 is about the only route that's run by 2 transits in the whole GTA. Are there any others like this? I like your idea of putting in an express service along there too. The 77 could use something like that. Too many passengers who normally take the BT route 1 east on Queen get on the 77 looking for local sevice from BCC. It slows down service, especially through Brampton.

BT should extend the 1 to Martin Grove so it connects with Viva Orange or vice versa so passengers don't have to rely on that horrible 77 service.

I was at BBC last Saturday and missed the 77 by -2min (7:15pm). The next one came in 22min (7:37pm) but it NEVER came so I ended up waiting for the next one (8:22pm) which in total, made me waited 1h and 7min. I don't know how to explain how angry I was waiting in that lonely BBC shelter for that long especially when I saw so many RTE1 Queen buses pass by in both directions.

If only both systems make a step forward to bring Viva Orange and RTE1 to connect instead of that stupid unreliable 77.

[D. DeLarge]

Do the D60LF's show up at Malton often? 9761 was there yesterday (Monday).

[Orion VIII]

Do the D60LF's show up at Malton often? 9761 was there yesterday (Monday).

I believe that was one of the ones my dad saw on the 5. Some runs require 60 footers at Malton.

[MT0603]

I believe that was one of the ones my dad saw on the 5. Some runs require 60 footers at Malton.

Yeah lots of the 5's rush hour runs require D60LFs. 9701 was on the 5 Northbound at Rathburn at around 7:35AM Thursday and was crush loaded up to the front door. The 5 used to run the D60HFs before they were retired.

[Orion VIII]

Mississauga Transit used to run a free shuttle around the City Centre area. The service was discontinued for what I believe was the loss of funding from the Mississauga Board of Trade. The service was very popular as it linked several attractions in the City Centre area (Square One, City Hall, Living Arts Centre, Central Library/YMCA) along with office towers and the few condos which were complete at the time. Square One was served with a few stops, so that if you didn't want to walk from one end of the mall to the other, you could just hop on the shuttle.

Many people have been clamouring to get the service returned in some form. The City's Youth Council was a key supporter of the shuttle service. Essentially the service collapsed under its own success with the amount of wear and tear on the shuttle buses that the BOT couldn't afford to keep it running. Perhaps if they had partnered up with the new condos going up, perhaps as one of the benefits, there would be enough funding to keep the service going.

There was an article in the Mississauga News about bringing back the free City Center Shuttle. I personally think that would be great idea especially with the latest lack of parking in the City Center Area, mainly for the new condominiums. Also with all the new condos going up I'm sure the route (If well planned) could run a 40ft bus.

I'm sure it was the Orion IIs that lead the failure of the City Center Shuttle, as I've heard stories from lots of the CPKY garage employees about the IIs costing too much to maintain.

I think, at the time of purchase, it was the fault of having a bus that was not a V. MT had 107 Vs, with another 35 on thier way. Seems like a pretty standardized fleet. No, I am not forgetting the D800/900s, but in the late 90s they were going, if not gone. That is the sole reason that I think they should not got EZ-Riders like has been rumoured.

The problem with having only 12 of a bus is exactly why there are 4 or more retired IIs already. If I am correct, the S50EGRs in the VIIs share some parts with the S50s of the VIs and D60LFs? That is most likely why they have not been singled out as badly as the IIs were. Every driver I have spoken to has said they HATE driving the IIs. A few have also said they refuse to drive the VIs as well, because the inside of drivers section is the same as in the II, it leaves drivers with bruises.

For the transitfan, or at least myself, EZs will be a great addition to the fleet. EZs=More variety (something currently lacking). Mechanically and financially, its a stupid move, unless they have engine parts that are interchangable with another existing model.

Some questions:

1) Our IIs have 2 or 4 wheelchair positions? I have stepped in one, but never thought to look around.

2) Do ISB/ISC engines have interchangable parts with the ISL?

[MT0603]

I think, at the time of purchase, it was the fault of having a bus that was not a V. MT had 107 Vs, with another 35 on thier way. Seems like a pretty standardized fleet. No, I am not forgetting the D800/900s, but in the late 90s they were going, if not gone. That is the sole reason that I think they should not got EZ-Riders like has been rumoured.

The problem with having only 12 of a bus is exactly why there are 4 or more retired IIs already. If I am correct, the S50EGRs in the VIIs share some parts with the S50s of the VIs and D60LFs? That is most likely why they have not been singled out as badly as the IIs were. Every driver I have spoken to has said they HATE driving the IIs. A few have also said they refuse to drive the VIs as well, because the inside of drivers section is the same as in the II, it leaves drivers with bruises.

For the transitfan, or at least myself, EZs will be a great addition to the fleet. EZs=More variety (something currently lacking). Mechanically and financially, its a stupid move, unless they have engine parts that are interchangable with another existing model.

Some questions:

1) Our IIs have 2 or 4 wheelchair positions? I have stepped in one, but never thought to look around.

2) Do ISB/ISC engines have interchangable parts with the ISL?

The S50EGR is basically the same thing as an S50 with out the EGR components.

Our IIs have 2 wheelchair position by the looks of a photo I took when we were back at Central.

Maybe the ISB has interchangeable parts with the ISL, I assume it's just a smaller version of the ISL.

Can anyone confirm that MT's VIIs do infact have an S50EGR. Whenever I ride them I don't hear any booping like the TTC's do, maybe a little booping but that's it.

[RYANBRT]

BT should extend the 1 to Martin Grove so it connects with Viva Orange or vice versa so passengers don't have to rely on that horrible 77 service.

I was at BBC last Saturday and missed the 77 by -2min (7:15pm). The next one came in 22min (7:37pm) but it NEVER came so I ended up waiting for the next one (8:22pm) which in total, made me waited 1h and 7min. I don't know how to explain how angry I was waiting in that lonely BBC shelter for that long especially when I saw so many RTE1 Queen buses pass by in both directions.

If only both systems make a step forward to bring Viva Orange and RTE1 to connect instead of that stupid unreliable 77.

DUde, the 77 service is horrible because traffic on Highwya 7 is horrible! It totally screws up the 77 schedule. Don't get me wrong, I hate that route with a passion too. That is one route that really needs some ITS improvments.

I extending the Viva Orange, or the 1 is not going to improve much.

Hwy 7 is simply a very busy road. Drive on it sometime, and'll be stuck just like the bus.

[vivablue5215]

DUde, the 77 service is horrible because traffic on Highwya 7 is horrible! It totally screws up the 77 schedule. Don't get me wrong, I hate that route with a passion too. That is one route that really needs some ITS improvments.

I extending the Viva Orange, or the 1 is not going to improve much.

Hwy 7 is simply a very busy road. Drive on it sometime, and'll be stuck just like the bus.

IMO the traffic headaches on Highway 7 are as follows:

AM rush hour:

WB near Kennedy

WB near Warden

EB between 404 and Woodbine

WB between Woodbine and Leslie

Both directions between Jane and Keele

EB near Weston

EB near Islington?

PM rush hour:

EB near McCowan

EB near Kennedy

EB near Warden

Both directions between Leslie and Woodbine

Both directions between Jane and Keele

WB near Weston

WB near Islington?

IIRC, Brampton has a lot of traffic on Queen near BCC?

[MT0603]

IMO the traffic headaches on Highway 7 are as follows:

AM rush hour:

WB near Kennedy

WB near Warden

EB between 404 and Woodbine

WB between Woodbine and Leslie

Both directions between Jane and Keele

EB near Weston

EB near Islington?

PM rush hour:

EB near McCowan

EB near Kennedy

EB near Warden

Both directions between Leslie and Woodbine

Both directions between Jane and Keele

WB near Weston

WB near Islington?

IIRC, Brampton has a lot of traffic on Queen near BCC?

And what does this have to do with Mississauga Transit?

You guys should create a topic about this so we can continue with the Mississauga Transit stuff.

[general682002]

Our IIs have 2 wheelchair position by the looks of a photo I took when we were back at Central.

Maybe the ISB has interchangeable parts with the ISL, I assume it's just a smaller version of the ISL.

One driver who did drove the Orion II on 28 long ago, because he was sitting so high and with all the gravity issues, he end up throw up after the end of the run.

Um, think again.... an ISB and ISL is totally much different engine model!

For anyone who wants to know what the EZ-Rider II powertrain will be, ISL/ D864.