Latest news with #LondonTransitCommission
CBC
27-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
London Transit launches online paratransit booking, but not soon enough for some users
Social Sharing London Transit Commission (LTC) has started rolling out its long-awaited online booking system for paratransit users. After months of delay, at least 70 paratransit riders have received access to test out the online portal as weekly letters go out to more users to sign up, according to a staff report from May 9. "I think it's been helpful. There's definitely room for improvement, but it's a big step that we've waited a very, very long time to get, and this system is well overdue," said Londoner Natalie Judges, who is one of the testers for the system and has used it daily since April. "This kind of eases the pressure of not having to call in, as I know from personal experience of redialing multiple times to get through because the line drops and you get disconnected or just too many people trying to use the system." The May 9 staff report said the organization anticipates "all letters will be mailed to existing registrants by the end of May," but the LTC's general manager Kelly Paleczny wasn't available to provide comment on Monday or share how close the transit service is to meeting the goal. The online program was supposed to launch in February but was delayed due to technical issues, which led LTC to open it up to users in batches while it continues testing out any glitches. There are more than 7,000 people registered with paratransit as of last fall. The email-based portal allows users to submit and modify booking requests, receiving a confirmation within 15 minutes if a ride is available or not. The new system also aims to accommodate more trips and passengers, allowing riders to check the status of their trips or make cancellations even if they booked over the phone. Similar to the telephone booking line, online paratransit rides are also booked up to three days in advance, including the day of. Judges said this is a "big flaw" and is disappointed that a three-day window doesn't allow users to plan ahead. "I thought they would bring priority to medical appointments that are booked months or years ahead," she said. "It would be nice to be able to book that trip in advance, just to ensure that you're not left without a ride or stranded." Judges acknowledged it's a brand new system which will likely have issues that can be resolved over time, and she appreciates the ability to access it from anywhere through various devices. 'We haven't been told anything,' other riders say However, some other paratransit riders said they haven't received any communication from LTC about when the online system will be ready to use. "We haven't been told anything. I haven't gotten any information on it," said Penny Moore, 61, who uses an electric wheelchair. "There's a lot of delays, a lot of communication breakdowns and confusion. Other users don't know anything about it either and they're not sure how it's going to work." Although LTC has sent out an instruction package to riders signed up for the online system, Moore said there should also be information sessions where users who need additional face-to-face support understand the portal can ask questions. Valerie Hembruff has been waiting for months with no update on the online portal and said the current system is time consuming. She said LTC needs to honour the deadlines they commit to, especially with this virtual service which has been in the works for years. "It's difficult because in the meantime, the only option for us riders is to phone in and sometimes that can be really quick, but sometimes you'll be on hold for a while. It's like I need to put aside time just to see if I can request a ride for three days from now," said Hembruff. "[The online system] would eliminate that time commitment of calling in and waiting through a queue to get an employee to pick up the phone." LTC said data from other transit system indicates that approximately 10 per cent of users prefer online bookings compared to over the phone and the organization will provide regular updates as to how many paratransit users are booking trips online and via telephone.
CBC
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- CBC
Buses will travel in both directions on King Street starting today
The one-way street will see bus-only travel heading east and west Driving along King Street could come with some surprises on Monday as city buses will begin operating in both directions. As part of London's rapid transit expansion, London Transit Commission (LTC) buses will be running on a new westbound bus-only lane between Wellington Street and Ontario Street, complementing the existing eastbound lane. That means buses will now travel both east and west on the bold red lanes with diamond symbols, while general traffic on King Street will remain eastbound only. While lanes designed for buses heading west have been on King Street for some time now, they'll finally be operational, starting today, according to Jennie Dann, London's construction and infrastructure director. "What people will see on the street is that contraflow lane separated by a double wide yellow line, as well as red paint. In that lane there's white diamonds, directional arrows and bus only text, along with lots of signage to help indicate to Londoners that is not for vehicles, it's for buses, and that those buses will be traveling westbound," said Dann. The new lanes are part of the East London Link project, designed to enhance transit reliability and frequency. Separating buses from mixed traffic aims to reduce congestion and improve mobility for transit users, according Dann. LTC Route 94, which runs from Argyle Mall to Western University, will operate in both directions along King Street between Wellington Street and Ontario Street. While cycling is typically allowed in curbside bus lanes (although the city encourages cyclists to use Dundas Street, which has dedicated bike lanes), Dann said the rule does not apply to the westbound lane on King. "That's because ... if a bus were to overtake a cyclist, they're not able to go around them because they'd be entering into oncoming traffic," Dann said. In the lead-up to the King Street contraflow bus lane opening, the city has been hard at work trying to inform Londoners. Those efforts includes an information website, radio ads, ads on streaming services, outreach to local businesses and plenty of signs. "We recognize that the contraflow lane and just navigating rapid transit corridors is a big change for Londoners," said Dann. And while Londoners have generally adapted well, there are still some behaviours on the road that hurt the efficiency of the bus lanes, and also contribute to danger on the roads, Dann noted. "One of the things that we really try to emphasize the most is no stopping or parking in those red lanes," she said. Also, it's worth noting the areas drivers are allowed to make right turns have changed as well. "If [the red bus lane] is not hatched and you see a no right turn sign, then you need to continue on to the next available spot where you can make that right turn," Dann said.
CBC
14-02-2025
- CBC
London transit experimenting with new seats on one bus
Riders who take the London Transit Commission's (LTC) Route 12 bus may notice something a little different about the seating. One one bus that travels between downtown and Wharncliffe at Wonderland road, smooth, hard-shell seats have replaced the patterned fabric seats that riders are familiar with. The new seats are a trial following a survey that showed bus cleanliness was a key issue for Londoners, said LTC general manager Kelly Paleczny. "The style of seating that we've put on one bus is being utilized by other transit systems as it's easier to keep clean and it's also easier for riders to detect if it is wet or if something's been spilled on it," she said. The trial run of the new seats did not cost any money, Paleczny said, because a demonstration set of chairs were donated from a company that sells seats. The new design features a more contoured shape and a small hole at the bottom, which Paleczny said will help any spilt liquid run off the seat and onto the floor. The new seats are getting mixed reviews from riders. "It's slippery and it's not as comfortable as the other one," said Khushpreet Kaur, who was travelling on the bus with the new seats Thursday. "When the bus stops, my body moves." Other riders focused on the cleanliness and shape of the new design. "The more I sit on it, I think they're probably more comfortable than the other ones," said Alyssa Barrett, who is a frequent LTC bus rider. "The shape definitely feels like it's different." Signs and stickers with a QR code on the bus, directing riders to a four-question survey about the new seats. Paleczny said that even if rider feedback is positive, there is no rush or budget to retrofit all LTC buses with the new seats. "We would essentially build that into the specification for future bus orders," said Paleczny, adding that the LTC would need to research seat styles and manufacturers first. "Future replacement and expansion buses would have that new style of seating, so the fleet would be transitioned slowly." Buses cleaned every two months Paleczny said the new bus seats would also make cleaning easier for LTC staff. LTC buses are deep-cleaned with a pressure washer every 60 days, said Paleczny. The current fabric-lined seats get covered during deep cleaning so they do not get soaked with water, she said, adding that the seats are washed on a separate 60-day cycle with a machine similar to a carpet cleaner. "That bus has to be out of service for a day because the seats have to dry once they've been cleaned before we put the bus back in," she said. Paleczny said, if implemented, the new bus seats would save staff time and money on cleaning. Barrett said seat cleanliness impacts her bus riding experience. "A few weeks ago, I got on the bus and there was this massive yellow-brown stain on a seat," said Barrett. "I don't know what it was, but I definitely had my theories, like maybe someone threw up and they left it there." Paleczny said one-off cleaning happens as required if there is a biohazard issue or spill. Barrett said she often avoids fabric seats with stains, but said that won't be an issue with the hard-shell seats. "I feel like this would be a lot cleaner because you can wipe it down with sanitary wipes and you're all good," she said.
CBC
29-01-2025
- Business
- CBC
Near London's southern edge, some transit riders choose lengthy walk over lengthy wait
Social Sharing For transit-riding workers near Wellington and Roxburgh roads, the Route 30 bus can be an elusive presence. Miss it, and you'll spend at least 40 minutes waiting for another, a wait that turns into hours if the one you missed was the last of the morning or early evening. That means it may be just as attractive to hoof it across the Hwy. 401 overpass to catch a bus at White Oaks Mall, a half hour walk at least. "It's a barrier, and it's a safety concern, and it makes it harder to attract good employees who need those jobs," said Ward 12 Coun. Elizabeth Peloza, who is calling attention to the issue at Wednesday's London Transit Commission (LTC) meeting. Commissioners will vote on proposed service plan changes for 2025. In a letter, Peloza urges improved service to the area, saying it would benefit businesses and support London's transportation goals. It follows concerns raised to Peloza by a manager of the nearby Costco, who told her dozens of staff rely on transit, but those leaving at 8:30 p.m. or 11:30 p.m. wind up having to walk or take a taxi. "Luckily White Oaks Mall isn't that far, but certainly far enough if their employees, come end of the shift … then need to walk in the dark, perhaps on sidewalks that have not been adequately cleared," she said. A representative from Costco was not immediately available to comment. The "30 White Oaks Mall – Cheese Factory Road" route runs weekdays, in one direction, from 6:30 to 11 a.m., 2:30 to 7 p.m. and 10:30 to 11:30 p.m. It's among five industrial routes LTC has whose schedules are based on the hours of nearby shift workers. None run on weekends. The spotty hours have made it an unreliable option for Mario Busuttil, an employee at Wimpy's Diner, who admitted he's yet to set foot on the 30 bus because it's never there when he needs it. Busuttil gets a ride to work, but the end of his shift at 2 p.m. leaves an hour before the 30 stops near the diner. Instead of waiting, he'll pay $20 for a cab, or trek to the mall, weather pending. "Summertime's not so bad. Wintertime's a little scary when they don't clean stuff up, and then you got the cars," he said. The Wellington 401 interchange is the only one in London with sidewalks. Pedestrians, however, must cross two highway on-ramps getting to the other side. "If it was up to me, being a grandfather, I wouldn't want to do it. I'd rather jump on the bus," he said. Some co-workers drive and give him a lift, but others walk both ways. Karoline Feagan, Wimpy's manager, said transit has always been a challenge, including for young staff without cars. (DriveTest is across the street, making it a challenge for would-be drivers, too.) "We don't have a lot of staff, it's a smaller restaurant … but I see how it's an issue when you have a bigger place like Costco," she said. "A lot of people might not be able to get here when there's a blizzard, or can't afford working minimum wage to take a taxi." CBC News contacted LTC's chair but did not get a response by publication. Launched in 1994, the path of Route 30 has not changed in over a decade, though service has expanded. In 2015, it called it quits at 6 p.m. In June, LTC approved a draft five-year plan for its conventional system that included changes to Route 30. The proposed change would see the route to service only industrial areas south of the 401, with an extended Route 37 covering areas north of the highway. Transit to industrial areas has been a years-long issue, and one that makes it harder for manufacturers to hire, said Jason Bates, chair of the London Region Manufacturing Council. Some may not even consider applicants who rely on transit because, "they know it's going to be a challenge for them to get to work on time," he said. "There's certainly going to be an increased need for transit, not just for manufacturing … There's no way it can't increase," Bates said.
