I try hard not to focus this blog exclusively on my own personal experiences, which only represent a small subset of transit service in Durham Region. To do so would require that I ignore many important issues that don’t directly impact me.
But yet, there are times when my own experiences are a good indication of what’s going on region-wide. One example of this was my writing about the lack of useful signage on the R-22 Audley South bus in Ajax. This situation has improved considerably since June, although the occasional “South Ajax” or “Shoal Point” signage still shows up on this route.
Another example would be the bus stop across the street from my house. A couple of months ago, a large four-seat bench with advertising sign was installed. I wasn’t too thrilled about the advertising, naturally, and the bench itself wasn’t very useful since it was covered with dew every morning in the summer. It may have been more useful later in the day, but this isn’t a high volume location. Most of the time, there is no one waiting at this stop.
In other words, it looks pretty clear that the bench was put in place solely for advertising purposes. Visibility was good at that location, and the advertisement on display was for a local real estate broker specializing in the neighbourhood.
Some of my neighbours weren’t happy about the bench as well, and it appears that they must have made some phone calls, since the bench was removed yesterday, including the patio stones it was sitting on.
Now, I’m not unhappy that the bench was removed, as it was a bit of an eyesore for the location, and of only marginal usefulness as stop infrastructure. But I have to wonder how decisions to place or remove benches are being made.
I’ve been arguing that stop infrastructure needs to be upgraded in order to provide a better experience for passengers. DRT needs to focus on ensuring the following is true:
- All stops should have a paved area on which to stand and wait, including connections to the sidewalk. No passenger should have to wait on a grass or dirt surface. This doesn’t have to be difficult; a bunch of well-place paving stones will do nicely.
- Shelters should be provided wherever possible on major streets, as well as at well-chosen locations within neighbourhoods so that there are options for riders in bad weather. Shelters on local residential streets should be free of advertising if at all possible, although its understandable that advertising may be necessary and acceptable on major streets.
- Benches should be located within shelters wherever possible. The large four-seat benches are okay on major streets but should never be placed on residential streets.
- Placement decisions should be based on the number of passengers using a stop, and never based solely on advertising potential.
- Route schedules where they exist should be kept up to date. The schedules at Ajax GO station have not been changed since January 2006, and are woefully out of date.
- Stop signage should indicate the route number and name, as is found at high traffic locations in Oshawa. These signs need to be spread through the rest of the system, although it is understandable that DRT may want to wait until the route renumbering program has been completed before doing so. The signs should also indicate service hours.
Filed under: Communications
You are right, DRT seems to have a problem with bus stops. From a bus driver’s point of view, those benches are terrible. When people sit on them it almost impossible for the bus driver to see them. Only a small portion of their heads stick up. When approaching with a bus there is tremendous blind spot. After all, the benches are meant to make the advertising visible and not the customer. In fact most bus stops have too much clutter around them. Throw in the bench, newspaper boxes, a shelter and city garbage containers vision for the bus driver will be obstructed.
A paved pad at all stops make sense for passengers in wheelchairs and scooters. The problem is that due to the lack of sidewalks a lot of the stops are located on the front lawns of the houses along the route.
The lack of bus shelters leave a lot to be desired. I see people standing on Kingston Rd. waiting for the Go bus to come. There is no shelter at all from the elements. I don’t know how these people do it in the winter. A classic example would be the eastbound stop on Kingston Rd. in front of the Ajax Wal-Mart.
There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the location of the stops. Too many are located on the far side of intersection right on the corner. This results in the driver stopping at the stop and blocking intersection.
Placement decisions and routing should be part of the planning process of all new subdivisions. How much of a say does DRT have with city planners? In your neighbourhood this should have been done well before the first house was built.
Waiting for DRT until the route renumbering program has been completed is a poor excuse for them to continue using genetic stops with no markings. After all, the old 101 Durham college route had every stop from Pickering Go Station, to the college clearly marked.
Yes these are my issues also. Bus Stops.
There is a plastic milk crate that people sit on going eastbound by Walmart.
I made mention of the lack of shelter in front of the Casino that I would see what I figure are employees.
I feel the business that are in the area should be vocal about Transit and Shelters for their customers and employees.
There are shelters in areas that I believe are very unused and these older shetlers could be moved if they feel the expense of brand new is not warranted.