Is it possible to convince suburban car drivers to take transit?
We’re going to find out when York Region’s new rapid bus network
hits the congested streets north of Steeles Ave. in early September.
Eye-catching new buses are to start carrying passengers down Yonge
Street to the TTC’s Finch subway station. Innovative marketing has
already begun, which includes giving the four-route system its own
name. “Viva” will complement the existing York Region Transit (YRT)
service, offering comfortable rides that may eventually cut 25% off
current bus travel times.
The
public-private joint venture behind Viva clearly intends to use a
special approach to win customers in a region where over 90% prefer
to get around by car. Although the system’s modern buses will
initially have to travel in mixed traffic, they will stop at special
stations, and have priority at busy intersections. The stops are
already taking form, and include shelters with ticket vending
machines and “real time” information displays that predict when the
bus is going to arrive.
To learn about
the system, and see the absolute latest in transit marketing, go to
www.vivayork.com. I found the experience quite different from
regular transit web sites -- perhaps officials at some of the other
systems in the GTA will be inspired to emulate Viva. My trusty but
old computer has had some trouble opening the site, but I am told
that most people with computers can view it. You can watch short
videos, such as a simulation of the entirely low-floor buses that
are currently being assembled in Belgium.
Mary-Frances
Turner of the York Region Rapid Transit Corporation says that
service will start along Yonge St. and part of Highway 7 in early
September, and over the four months that follow, stations will open
along four main routes throughout York Region. Use the very
sophisticated route map at www.vivayork.com to see not only the
stops, but various local landmarks like libraries and shopping
centres.
Fares will be
interchangeable with those at YRT, although customers using Viva
routes will need to have their tickets paid for before boarding the
bus. Riders are supposed to treat both systems as a unified network,
and if York Region secures the required government funds, work will
start in late 2006 to separate the Viva system from road traffic.
Bus-only lanes
are to be built along busy roads like Yonge Street, in many cases
reducing the amount of pavement that cars now use. South of Steeles
Avenue in Toronto, private vehicles regular drive in the designated
bus lanes, and ever-increasing traffic will slow transit vehicles
even further. Turner cautions, “if we don’t do something, we’re
going to have nose-to-nose buses.” York Region has been working with
GO Transit, TTC and City of Toronto planners to devise a common
bus-only corridor. This spring, the public should get a chance to
view three proposals for special lanes between Finch and Steeles.
Then it will be up to Toronto councillors to approve one option and
find the funds to build it.
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transit@eddrass.com.
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