Do you take HSR? Schedule Changes & Bus Tracker

[Ciel]

For the GO commuters relying on the Hamilton GO trains in the mornings and nights, keep tabs on next week's CP Rail employee union strike voting. If CP Rail workers go on strike, there likely won't be GO train service to Hamilton GO so be prepared to board buses to Aldershot or express ones to Toronto.

I can't find the current Toronto Star article that mentioned next week's voting but thought it might be good to remind everyone well before our Victoria Day weekend of the possibility of travel plans needing backup or MacGyver versions.
http://www.teamstersrail.ca/Judgment...n_Pacific.html

[Ciel]

Cash fare won't change on Sept. 1 but your Presto trip and bus tickets will cost 10cents more each.

https://www.hamilton.ca/hsr-bus-sche...ets-and-passes

[Ciel]

Catch Hamilton has a new article in the July 5-8 issue ofView magazine that indicates a minor route expansion for Rt. 56-Confederation Park bus in September through an underserviced/high needs area.

http://hamiltoncatch.org/view_article.php?id=1555

[Linda Evans]

my friend asked me to see if the bus now lets people take thier dogs on board...hmmm..i cant imagine they would, but i thought if anyone knows...it would be Ciel. ;-)

lap dogs maybe & therapy dogs probably, but i doubt a reg. big dog.

[Ciel]

my friend asked me to see if the bus now lets people take thier dogs on board...hmmm..i cant imagine they would, but i thought if anyone knows...it would be Ciel. ;-)

lap dogs maybe & therapy dogs probably, but i doubt a reg. big dog.

No regular dogs allowed on the bus! There was an item in View magazine or the Spectator within the past year or so. A Hamilton resident, formerly from Toronto, wanted the HSR to allow her to board with her big dog like she could with the TTC. So far, not a starter. However, it might be time to discuss a DARTS-type bus service for passengers without cars to take their pets to the vet, but maybe the private sector has a market price shuttle service. I know there are mobile pet spas but have yet to know about mobile vet businesses in the Hamilton area.

HSR policy:

Animals on board

• You may bring certified specialty dogs on the bus at all times. Proper identification should be visible or provided.
• All other animals are allowed on board only if they are contained in an animal-carrier device, the bus is not crowded and it doesn’t inconvenience other passengers.
• No lap dogs or animals on seats.

https://www.hamilton.ca/hsr-bus-sche...-hsr/using-hsr

As a person who is not fond of dogs, I can be reasonable about service dogs but I've seen people abuse the lapdog situation with dogs (on the HSR) that were small dogs too big for their owners' laps and allowed to go on the seat next to owner. I really appreciate the carrier requirement for dogs and cats. As for big dogs on buses, I will not willingly put myself in a closed area with them. Not for my commuter fare!

*Update-found the past articles on dogs on buses discussion:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamil...hile-1.3237035

https://www.thespec.com/news-story/5...-for-big-dogs/

[Ciel]

Spotted noticed in yesterday's Hamilton Spectator about upcoming routing/stop changes for Burlington Transit's 101 bus effective Sept. 2, 2018:

From the Burlington Transit site https://www.burlingtontransit.ca/en/...e-changes.aspx

[Ciel]

Fall issue for HSR Bus News is now on the website: https://www.hamilton.ca/node/22181

Or click the upper left link of the HSR home page to access content.

Notable Fall Schedules Changes

5 Delaware

• Weekday - All 5C West Hamilton peak service buses will go to Meadowlands.
• Saturday - Early AM service will operate more frequently to 5 Jones, 5E Quigley and Dundas ends of lines. Early morning 5C trips will be extended to the Meadowlands.

11 Parkdale

• Weekday - Early evening service is increased to every 30 minutes.
• Saturday - Early AM and early evening service increased but less frequent service in late evening.

20 A Line

• Weekday - New mid-day service added. The peak period frequency is increased to 20 minutes.

22, 23, 24, 25/26, 27, 33, 55 and 58

• Sundays/Holidays additional service

33 Sanatorium

• Saturday - Early AM, AM peak and early evening frequency increased to every 30 minutes.

34 Upper Paradise

• Sundays/Holidays - Service to Glancaster Loop.

55 Stoney Creek Central

• Weekday and Saturdays - More frequent service in early AM and early evening but less frequent service in late evening. The one way looping in the late evening is eliminated.

58 Stoney Creek Local

• Weekday and Saturdays - Less frequent service in late evening.

44 Rymal Route Change

• 44 Rymal will operate on McClure Rd. in both directions instead of continuing on Garner Rd. W. to Duff’s Corners.

[Ciel]

If you are travelling along the 51-University bus route, there's some extra service in advance of the 51-University's return in Sept:
https://www.hamilton.ca/government-i...-51-university

[Ciel]

I was able to get most of the Fall schedules at the GO station but did stop at the MacNab Terminal to get a few more. Set for Sunday changes to bus routes.

HSR 44-Rymal in Ancaster will now go from Garner Rd W to McClure Rd then north to the roundabout and left on Wilson St. W. to the Industrial Park. So no more stops at the road shoulder behind Wendys. But now you can visit other stores nearby.
44-Rymal EB will also use Wilson St W>McClure Rd> Garner Rd W. Look for the yellow wheel rims/posts for the bus stops about 1/2 way up McClure Rd.

[Ciel]

Cash fare won't change on Sept. 1 but your Presto trip and bus tickets will cost 10cents more each.

https://www.hamilton.ca/hsr-bus-sche...ets-and-passes

The fare changes start today. McMaster Students bus passes start taking effect today.

[Ciel]

If you still have August 2018 expiry HSR bus tickets, this week is the last week to use them up with an extra 10cents per ticket. After September, the tickets will be good only for the recycling boxes.

[Ciel]

If you take Burlington Transit to access their GO Stations, some bus routes will have changes effective on November 4:
https://www.burlingtontransit.ca/en/...e-changes.aspx

[Ciel]

Metrolinx will hold its West Region's accessibility meeting in Hamilton at the Central Library on November 29:
http://www.metrolinx.com/en/aboutus/..._meetings.aspx
https://twitter.com/Metrolinx/status...72351354650630

1. West – Hamilton: Thursday, November 29, 6-8pm
   Hamilton Public Library Central Branch, Hamilton Room
   55 York Boulevard
   Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 4E4
   In partnership with City of Hamilton/HSR

[Ciel]

GO Transit has a bus customer survey link on the bottom left corner of its main page. You have until Dec. 11 to enter and there's also a draw for $250 credit to be added to your Presto card.
https://www.gotransit.com/en/

There will be some GO Transit Bus service adjustments on certain routes as of December 8, 2018:
https://www.gotransit.com/en/trip-pl...hedule-changes

[Ciel]

Aside from allowing service animals on its buses and trains, GO Transit allows leashed dogs outside of rush hours?
https://www.gotransit.com/en/travell...avelling-on-go

I did not know. This policy will have an impact on my travels by bus if travelling with Mom or even alone. As for train use, that means I'll have to go upstairs. I just cannot endure the idea of being in public transit with someone's pet dog (2 allowed per GO policy) because there is no assurance that the owner/dog(s) will behave well, beyond the stated rules unless Metrolinx staff ensure compliance. And I also don't want to hear barking on a long commute.

Service dogs are trained for public service. Pets, not so much, especially in crowded non-home indoor environments.