[samsonyuen]

Are some of the bottlenecks on Spadina because of the light system too? I remember reading something about how there was supposed to be a priority system for streetcars, but it never was used? Am I crazy, or did I read that?

I also read that there was a study done by the Globe that said the average time from Spadina to Union (or Queen's Quay) was actually 2 minutes longer on streetcar than it was on the 77. There are no cars on the LRT route, how can this be accounted for? Even if there's bottlenecking due to boarding and alighting, that's not too different from the bus.

 

[Bogtrotter]

It's basically a mini station to allow access to the vehicle at more than one entrance. Beyond that it holds little advantage from what I can tell. I'm not sure how much more advantageous this is really. Why not just go with the 'honour system' at peak times?

 

[roch5220]

There are many advantages.

It allows for faster boarding not only with allowing for rear entry (no pun intended), but allows for faster access on the current vehicles as people won't have to step up onto the streetcar.

Also, since winter can be harsh, it also is attractive as it provides proper shetler during cold or extreme weather (hot and cold).

It also provides the preception to the public that it is more than just a streetcar network, more like a subway line (but not quite) with its own stations and ROW lane.

Its not only the techinical merits, but also the psychological aspect it has on its potential target market, as well as making mass transit a more attractive, comfortable alternative to what is existing now, and in the battle with car.

 

[Bogtrotter]

I don't see a plastic tube as being a more psychological advantage. An honour system during peak busy hours is the better approach imho.

 

[roch5220]

LOL, I wouldn't have it as a plastic tube. More like a glass box.

 

[Degnaw]

How fast do buses board at subway stations? (those with the fare-paid area thing) that's about how fast the tube would board (not accounting for the # of passengers or the step-up though)

...and the cost of retrofitting buses to load that high up would be enormous.

 

[afransen TO]

Degnaw: we can set up the stations in anyway that makes sense for Toronto. No reason the stations can't be at sidewalk height.

 

[wyliepoon]

Perhaps a better option to speed up boarding/deboarding times would be to have on-board turnstlyes at both the front and back doors. the turn styles move freely on exit, but require payment, tickets or swiping of a metrocard to board.

Interesting you mention that. On the Hong Kong Tramway (streetcar), passengers board the tram via the back doors, through a set of turnstiles. They leave the tram via the front doors, near where the operator sits. They pay their fare as they leave the tram.

I don't know of any other system with this setup.

 

[Mystery Man TO]

^"This bus isn't moving until everyone moves to the front, please"

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

Subway to replace busway

From Project to transform busways:

The construction of the new subway in Curitiba will transform the canaletas, lanes currently used exclusively for the system of bi-articulated express buses, into a grand communal space. Dubbed "Vias Parques," the current busways will be given over to an extensive network of pedestrian and cyclist greenways with trees and playgrounds. The subway will run under the canaletas, and the place where buses run today will be dedicated to people.

This innovative concept for the integration of the subway in Curitiba, retaining priority for mass transit while elevating the status of pedestrians and cyclists, was conceived during the preliminary studies for the subway system, conducted in 2005 in cooperation with the Brazilian Urban Railway Corporation (CBTU). These studies also indicated the alignment for the new mode (the North and South Axes), the length (22 kilometers), the number of stations (21 to 23) and the construction method (mostly cut-and-cover). The first line of the subway, from Santa Cândida to the South Industrial Zone (CIC Sul), will be 22 kilometers long, of which 19 kilometers will be underground. This Blue Line is expected to serve roughly 500,000 passengers at the outset.

 

[jks]

Intersting. I always thought the way they built the stations should be used on transit city lines. That way, there is no need to implement POP, with the stations being fare-paid areas.