The Public Record | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site (https://www.thepublicrecord.ca/topics/hamilton-street-railway/)
This is not a rider-centric change, quite the opposite. Instead of providing needed bus service to Redeemer University College, Mayor Fred Eisenberger has once again shortchanged the HSR and its riders.
The HSR’s 2018 revenue forecast was $42.4-million, of which $7.1-million was from McMaster and Mohawk U-Passes, 16.7% of the HSR’s overall revenue.
Hamilton City Councillors are hesitant to accept terms imposed by Ontario’s Provincial transit oversight agency Metrolinx for the use of the electronic PRESTO fare system. Under new terms of use being imposed by Metrolinx’s on the 905-belt municipalities, local transit systems must generate a minimum amount of commission revenue to PRESTO or face clawbacks in their provincial gas tax funding. Gas tax revenues projected to double to $21-million by 2021-22
For Hamilton’s local public transit agency, this means going from paying $422,039 at a 2% commission rate to $4,098,005 at a 9% commission rate in 2027. Metrolinx is regarding that 80% of HSR revenue by from PRESTO media by 2021. To reach 80%, HSR must discontinue paper tickets and passes.
Whoever said everyone is replaceable never met HSR’s bubbles chocolate bus driver.
The HSR, struggling with a operator shortage caused by Council cuts is extending shifts for its drivers starting December 31 to increase its “spareboard” and cut cancellations.
Environment Hamilton hosted a meeting at Hamilton City Hall to discuss the ongoing Hamilton Street Railway Transit Crisis.
Hamilton City Councillors debated the 2018 public transit HSR capital budget. Much of the debate centred around the ongoing transit crisis, the use of the late 1980s custom build transit garage at 330 Wentworth Street North as a public works yard and office, and if it be more cost effective to return to using this garage for transit than building another transit garage.
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HSR says the buses are awaiting replacement parts from engine manufacturer Cummins which recently changed its distribution channels – causing delays in the HSR receiving engines needed for warranty repairs on the 60 foot buses.
Stats finally released by the City show there is no job action by HSR operators, and that the HSR has a significant number of operators on short-term disability.
Another HSR operator was just assaulted, the Union says this is the fourth assault of the week.