[cplchanb]

It is a milestone, but let’s not forget the TTC has its own history of issues. People here are quick to criticize Metrolinx, but the TTC isn’t necessarily more efficient — just differently flawed.

True.

TTC mises construction timelines but when they open a new line or extension they tend to hit the expected level of service without long closures to fix problems. If TTC is finding and reporting issues, I'd lean toward believing they're actual issues. I don't think TTC will filibuster the opening of the line; they're very motivated to reduce their bus network.

its not the operational aspect we are worried about... its getting TO the operations that has everyone now sweating bullets. we all saw how the YUSE went....

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

The question isn't what could go wrong differently under TTC control, it's about HOW they deal with the problem. Let's not forget that the TTC has shut down late evening and weekend service on certain subway sections for months or even years at a time, to replace signalling systems. What do they do, replace 4 inches of cable each night?

The problem with the current TTC is the lack of funding for operations. They were forced to defer, defer, and defer on maintenance and shorten the time needed for cleaning or garbage pickup or even tightening of bolts or changing light bulbs. That results in what we have now, having to play catch-up on many things.

 

[Red_Bulmer]

Just for laughs.
Screenshot of a gambling ad, you can place a bet on the opening date of the Eglinton LRT.

 

[rbt]

True.

its not the operational aspect we are worried about... its getting TO the operations that has everyone now sweating bullets. we all saw how the YUSE went....

TTC has been sharing feedback on Eglinton for several years. So much so that Crosslinx looked bad and kicked them out in May 2023 with the argument they were not party to the contract and TTC was reporting deficiencies not stipulated in their contract with Metrolinx.

I would hazard a guess that those issues were not resolved when TTC received access for training purposes and were re-reported again. I speculate that fixing them (or perhaps just arguing the fix isn't necessary) is one of the reasons TTC has taken a while to begin broader operations testing: Why spend resources testing what they already know is deficient by empirical measurement? I have zero insider knowledge; just speculation due to the informational black-hole Metrolinx leaves.

The lesson to be learned by Metrolinx/IO legal is detailed tolerance specifications need to be part of the contract and consistent across all vendor contracts (not bespoke for each one individually).

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toro...rosslinx-sue-ttc-delays-1.6844693#:~:text=The provincial transit agency has,2023 8%3A46 AM PDT

 

[rickvbiker]

Will there be a training period for the drivers on the bus routes that change? Or do they just send them out on the new routes on day 1 of revenue service?

Has the exact routing of the changed bus service been published? I’m thinking of the 71 Runnymede route. Currently it terminates north at the 120 Industry Street - Mt Dennis Bus garage.
Will it terminate at Mt. Dennis Station instead and bypass the Ray Avenue/Industry Street part of the route completely?

Or will it do the loop of Weston Road -> Ray Avenue -> Industry Street -> Todd Baylis -> Black Creek Drive -> Eglinton Avenue -> Mt Dennis Station? Which would mean if you are taking the bus north you would get off at Weston and Eglinton to access Line 5 and avoid the loop.

 

[TOtramz]

Any trains on the line today? Perhaps today is the day for RSD to finally start

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

Any trains on the line today? Perhaps today is the day for RSD to finally start

Supposed hit 37°C on Monday. Might be a better date for testing.

 

[smallspy]

Will there be a training period for the drivers on the bus routes that change? Or do they just send them out on the new routes on day 1 of revenue service?

In most cases, drivers already know the roads that will be used because they are being used by other routes. All they will need to learn is any new curves or stops, which will be handled by the provision of maps and memos and other internal documents.

In the case of any stations with bus-only roadways however, there will be training provided to drivers closer to the opening date. This will cover things such as access to and from the platforms, clearances throughout the complexes, access to facilities, etc.

Has the exact routing of the changed bus service been published? I’m thinking of the 71 Runnymede route. Currently it terminates north at the 120 Industry Street - Mt Dennis Bus garage.
Will it terminate at Mt. Dennis Station instead and bypass the Ray Avenue/Industry Street part of the route completely?

Or will it do the loop of Weston Road -> Ray Avenue -> Industry Street -> Todd Baylis -> Black Creek Drive -> Eglinton Avenue -> Mt Dennis Station? Which would mean if you are taking the bus north you would get off at Weston and Eglinton to access Line 5 and avoid the loop.

Yes, although it will require wading through several versions of the TTC's own reports to find it. Closer to the opening date, the TTC will publish new public-facing information for each route.

In the case of the 71 specifically, it appears that the only change will be that the route will enter the bus terminal at Mount Dennis - it will continue to serve the Mt. Dennis bus garage and the industrial area surrounding it.

Any trains on the line today? Perhaps today is the day for RSD to finally start

TTC staff have been performing inspections on the cars for the past several days. Service testing is currently planned to resume on Wednesday.

Dan

 

[bono47]

In most cases, drivers already know the roads that will be used because they are being used by other routes. All they will need to learn is any new curves or stops, which will be handled by the provision of maps and memos and other internal documents.

In the case of any stations with bus-only roadways however, there will be training provided to drivers closer to the opening date. This will cover things such as access to and from the platforms, clearances throughout the complexes, access to facilities, etc.


Yes, although it will require wading through several versions of the TTC's own reports to find it. Closer to the opening date, the TTC will publish new public-facing information for each route.

In the case of the 71 specifically, it appears that the only change will be that the route will enter the bus terminal at Mount Dennis - it will continue to serve the Mt. Dennis bus garage and the industrial area surrounding it.


TTC staff have been performing inspections on the cars for the past several days. Service testing is currently planned to resume on Wednesday.

Dan

Would Wednesday service testing be considered part of RSD or yet another intermediary step? Tyia

 

[cplchanb]

Would Wednesday service testing be considered part of RSD or yet another intermediary step? Tyia

The cynical me is already assuming a pretest of a pretest... they don't exactly have a great track record when it comes to efficiency

 

[Admiral Beez]

I have a new hire starting soon. They live at Yonge and Eglinton and our RTO office is near Martin Ross and Dufferin. The new employee doesn't drive, so I am hoping the crosstown opens soon, making the move from Eglinton Stn to Sheppard West Stn. so much easier. Right now it's about 50 min door to door, https://maps.app.goo.gl/UQS1v6YiMVUeeWi18. It's only 30 mins from Eglinton West, so the Crosstown will likely shave off at least ten minutes from the total commute. The most unreliable part is the bus from Sheppard West north until it reached the ROW above Finch. That ROW should start at Sheppard.

 

[evandyk]

The crosstown is going to be nice, but the difference between that and taking the bus between Eglinton and Eglinton West is going to be what, 5 minutes? Seems like that's a very minor part of the challenge involved in getting to a remote part of North York!

 

[nfitz]

I have a new hire starting soon. They live at Yonge and Eglinton and our RTO office is near Martin Ross and Dufferin. The new employee doesn't drive, so I am hoping the crosstown opens soon, making the move from Eglinton Stn to Sheppard West Stn. so much easier. Right now it's about 50 min door to door, https://maps.app.goo.gl/UQS1v6YiMVUeeWi18. It's only 30 mins from Eglinton West, so the Crosstown will likely shave off at least ten minutes from the total commute. The most unreliable part is the bus from Sheppard West north until it reached the ROW above Finch. That ROW should start at Sheppard.

Oh my!

A nearby business I assume. Well played, sir! Glad I didn't click on that on my work computer. I'll have to see what interesting ads I get for the next few days.

The crosstown is going to be nice, but the difference between that and taking the bus between Eglinton and Eglinton West is going to be what, 5 minutes? Seems like that's a very minor part of the challenge involved in getting to a remote part of North York!

There's also the savings of the reliability and convenience of 4-stop subway ride from Eglinton to Cedarvale stations. I haven't driven that way for years, but traffic on Eglinton wasn't pretty, especially when passing the Allen. Right now (since I screen shot that) it's not even giving an Eglinton to Eglinton West bus option!

Hopefully his boss is forgiving when there's transit issues - and doesn't give them a hard time!

 

[evandyk]

My wife works at Bayview and Eglinton, so we're looking forward to it opening too! But I checked google maps when I posted that, and it said it was (at the time, which was obviously not rush hour) a 16 minute bus ride. There's no doubt that the crosstown is an improvement in both speed and reliability, but getting from Sheppard West to the sex shop is going to be a much bigger challenge than getting from Eglinton to Eglinton West.

 

[Coolibop]

Unbelievably, we are still unclear on the contractual obligations...From today's TTC board meeting, speaking to the contracts (that were set years back):

Interim CEO Greg Percy said:

The agreements...if you put together the most complicated agreements and how they work with each other...we've achieved that

Going forward we will be sorting through [issues] with the contract .... I'm pretty sure we're going to be stepping in it ... before we go live...that's very high priority for us.

He did clearly state these contracts were written up many years ago...so why are we only reviewing this now?