Posted August 9th, 2010 by Michael Druker
GO train in Hamilton. (Photo by Tom Flemming, via Flickr.)
About a year ago GO Transit completed its Environmental Assessment (EA) for a rail extension to Kitchener, and half a year ago the extension was approved. It still awaits funding for the necessary track improvements, though GO Transit has already been laying the groundwork for the planned Guelph station. Service at the start of operations (planned for 2011) would include four morning trains from Kitchener to Guelph and Toronto, and four afternoon and evening trains in the reverse direction. It would be able to add reverse-peak commuter trains if there is sufficient demand. However, it has been claimed that “GO trains will be slow trains”, and so it is important to give some context for the planned GO train travel time between Kitchener and Toronto. Read the rest of this entry »
In Intercity Transit, News | 3 Comments »
Posted July 21st, 2010 by Michael Druker
As of the beginning of July, Google Maps now offers directions for travel in Waterloo Region by Grand River Transit. GRT joins agencies like GO Transit, Guelph Transit, and Hamilton Street Railway in allowing trip planning just by typing an origin and destination into Google Maps and clicking the “by public transit” train icon.
If you’ve wanted something that works better on your mobile phone than EasyGO, that has a better user interface, and that provides more options for your trip — well, this may give you what you’re looking for. Below is a sample trip from east Kitchener to Preston.
View Larger Map
We believe Grand River Transit will be publishing their transit schedule data in a standard format within a matter of weeks, which will open up some exciting possibilities for app development.
Thanks to Kourtney Short for the post idea.
In Buses, News, Transit | No Comments »
Posted July 17th, 2010 by Michael Druker
Light rail has been getting most of the attention lately, but some of the most significant improvements to transit are actually coming in the form of the new Regional Transportation Master Plan (RTMP), which got final Council approval on June 30. The Region of Waterloo is getting serious about curtailing sprawl by directing planned growth to the urban areas. Regional planners figure that continuing the status quo transportation-wise would result in the need for 25 new Hespeler Roads. However, instead of endless road widening, the Region is pursuing a new focus on transit.
A schematic map by Duncan Clemens illustrating some of the transit
improvements specified in the RTMP. Click through to see a larger image.
Read the rest of this entry »
In Buses, News, Transit | 1 Comment »
