I have tons of respect for bus drivers. They deal with gross shit, disrespect and crap upon crap. HOWEVER when the union rep gets up in arms about a possible rail service, this is where I draw the line. The bus system is in place to help the public and to serve transportation needs. A rail system here would take pressure off the congested highways, be comfortable, more spacious, safer for winter travel and help people who live in remote areas. There is nothing negative about it! Except that it may result in less new hires for transit buses. Halifax Transit is not an employment program. It is a service for the benefit of HRM residents. We need to be way more progressive and green in our transportation issues. Stop bitching. —Thomas the Tank Engine
This article appears in Aug 4-10, 2016.
Halifax Transit needs a good purge, that’s for sure. Next time they strike the city should grow some balls and fire them all. The city could do with out all of those “esteemed” leeches holding back progress wherever they can.
Awwww… leave poor little Kenny alone! Hahaha!
I agree, Thom – not everyone wants to take a smelly old crowded bus that’s never on time. A rail service for HRM is long overdue.
People who are union reps are simply fulfilling their job obligations – trying to look out for the interests of their constituency. It doesn’t mean that anyone will listen to them.
I think there is pretty much a consensus that rail service is the way to go. I just hope that everything is taken into consideration – not just the direct costs but savings and indirect benefits. Do reduced CO2 emissions (fewer cars on the road) have a carbon pricing value? Will there be less wear and tear on roads? Will less air pollution decrease health costs? Will rail service improve the quality of life?
And, if the province can put money into other infrastructure like roads, bridges and ferries, . then maybe they should be putting some money into rail service.
Of course Halifax Transit wants to keep their union jobs. No one will listen to their squawking, their input isn’t needed for a rail system. I have used city rail systems in a few countries and they are, by far, the easiest way to get around a city. No traffic, speedy commute, what is there to hate? The big plus for rail car drivers is they don’t have to deal with the public!
I don’t know why anyone living here thinks the transit system can be fixed.
Halifax wasn’t originally planned or built to sustain a good commuting system.
The system only works efficiently in certain areas. Outside of the downtown core it’s not that great so you need a car. They have to redesign the roads to accommodate an efficient system and we simply can’t do that!
It’s just the reality of the situation. Halifax was built on the premise that it’s a large town rather than a normal city. Hence there’s some transit but you treat it like a rural area where you need to drive to reach the desired destination in a timely manner.
In addition to the size of the town, bad driving habits that cause a lot of delays. There can’t be an efficient system in place.
Let’s say they add that rail connection they suggested. Then what?! It doesn’t really change the situation. It will only accommodate a few which can be achieved by adding an express bus that will only stop at the 2 rail stops and uses the highway for transit! That should yield the same outcome!
@ R. U. Serious: While it’s true that union reps need to look out for their members’ interests, I have to question if fighting rail is really in their members’ interest. First, there’s the strategic damage done by fighting something that’s in the best interests of residents; the union can probably expect a lot less public support on more important issues down the road if they (continue to?) turn public opinion against them. Second, rail is probably GOOD for bus driver employment. A rail system will still need feeder routes to bring people to and from the stations, and a well-implemented rail system should convince more people that transit is a viable option, thus increasing demand for more buses. Plus, I don’t even see the rail line replacing bus routes; it’s more like an increase to service.
Furthermore, when I was in a unionized workplace we got all sorts of emails about “supporting our Brothers and Sisters in other unions in their fight against a union-busting Provincial Government.” Many of VIA’s staff are unionized, shouldn’t the bus drivers support employment for their Brothers and Sisters at VIA? Or does that support only extend to when they’re fighting government?
@hipp5 – To be fair, the union isn’t necessarily against rail service but has concerns about it potentially being outsourced to VIA Rail rather than being part of Metro Transit. They see that as a potential loss of Metro Transit jobs.
Personally, I agree with what you say, rail would likely be a supplement to the current bus system and might even increase the number of bus drivers needed for feeder routes so the union is probably being short-sighted.
And if outsourcing to VIA is the most affordable way to offer the service then that’s most likely the way to go. VIA has experience operating rail service, they will hire local people to work on the commuter trains, and (I believe) VIA are subsidized by the feds – so we get a second hand subsidy for commuter rail.
I’m all for a rail system. Halifax is very suburban, unless you’re a student or a in the top tier of earners, you likely don’t live on the peninsula. The people who have money are not coming into the city to spend it because it’s a pain in the ass what with parking and needing a sober driver. Make it easier for the people to come into the city and spend their money on local businesses instead of going to dartmouth crossing, larry uteck or bayers lake to eat and shop at at big box chains. We wonder why it’s so hard to find a job, it’s really difficult for working class people to support local companies. It would be a big step in the right direction.