York Region Transit

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
York Region Transit
logo
image
Slogan York, connected.
Founded 2001
Headquarters 50 High Tech Road,
Richmond Hill, ON
Locale York Region
Service area Urban area
Service type bus service, bus rapid transit
Alliance Toronto Transit Commission
Brampton Transit
Routes 94 YRT, 5 Viva,
15 TTC-contracted
Hubs 8
Fleet Approx. 450 (2008)
Annual ridership 2009 summary:
18,314,619 Transit[1]
298,794 MobilityPlus[2]
Fuel type Diesel
Operator see Operations
General Manager Richard Leary[3]
Web site yrt.ca

York Region Transit (YRT) is the public transit operator in York Region, Ontario, Canada. Its headquarters are in Richmond Hill, at 50 High Tech Road.

YRT operates 65 full time, rush hour and limited routes, 35 school services, 5 Viva rapid transit routes and utilizes 14 Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) routes that run within York Region's boundaries. TTC passengers who cross Steeles Avenue (the Toronto-York boundary) must pay an additional fare (the YRT fare) to continue on that route (in practical sense, the TTC bus becomes a YRT bus when it crosses Steeles Avenue).

Some YRT routes operate within the City of Toronto; these buses are generally running to and from TTC subway stations. YRT northbound buses are allowed to pick up passengers south of Steeles Avenue if they are heading into York Region (but passengers must flag the bus from a designated TTC or YRT stop). YRT buses heading to a TTC subway station can similarly drop off passengers at designated stops south of Steeles Avenue, but are usually not permitted to pick up passengers from these stops (with the exception of York University).

Contents

[edit] Ridership

Average daily ridership is between 150,000 to 200,000 riders on buses and 1,000 on MobilityPlus. 19 million riders use YRT in a year.

[edit] History

YRT was created by the regional government in 2001 to combine the five municipally-managed transit authorities in the region:

In mid-2006, the York Region Transit (YRT) logo was modified to bear closer resemblance to the Viva logo and, by most of the YRT fleet and bus stop signs had their looks changed to bear the new colours.

[edit] Operations

All transit services in York Region are provided by private operators under contract.[4]

[edit] Division 1

Area served: Markham and Stouffville
Operator: Miller Transit Limited
Facility: 8050 Woodbine Ave., Markham - outdoor yard home to 135 buses stored on Miller Avenue or Burncrest Road
Web site: Miller Transit

[edit] Division 2

Area served: Newmarket, Aurora, King Township, East Gwillimbury and Georgina
Operator: TOK Transit Limited
Facility: 18106 Yonge Street, Newmarket (leased by York Region to TOK Transit.

TOK Transit Limited, a subsidiary of Tokmakjian Incorporated of Concord, won the contract for serving Division 2 after First Student Canada (formerly Laidlaw Transit Limited)'s services were terminated effective January 16, 2012 by YRT due to the transit strike. First Canada were stored in an outdoor facility at 534 Kent Drive in Newmarket

[edit] Division 3

Area served: Richmond Hill
Operator: Miller (same information as Division 1)

[edit] Division 4

Area served: Vaughan
Operator: Veolia Transportation
Facility: 8300 Keele Street, Vaughan
Web site: Veolia Transport - Bus rapid transit in York region

Division 4 was formerly provided by Tokmakjian Incorporated from 2003 to 2010 (former operators for Vaughan Transit)[5]

[edit] Division 5

Services: Discontinued in Fall 2011
Former Operator: Stock Transportation
Facility: 550 Edward Avenue, Richmond Hill

These two routes were operated by Stock using three mini (18 seat) school buses bearing YRT logos and route signage. The original operator was Student Express Limited (2001-2004).[6]

[edit] Division 7

Services: Viva (bus rapid transit)
Operator: Veolia Transportation
Facility: 51 Caldari Rd., Vaughan - outdoor storage for VIVA Purple, Orange, Green, Pink and temporary storage for VIVA Blue.[7]
Web site: Veolia BRT

All but Veolia are Canadian based transit operators. All contractors maintain and store the YRT fleet within York Region.

[edit] Bus rapid transit

Viva uses a special fleet of high-end NovaBus and Van Hool buses
Main article: Viva (bus rapid transit)

In response to escalating congestion on the region's roads, York Region's transit plan included a provision for a bus rapid transit (BRT) system along the Yonge Street and Highway 7 arterial corridors. This service, known as Viva, was launched in September 2005.

Construction on Phase 2 began in 2009, with the construction of a bus-only roadway parallel to Enterprise Drive. Construction of bus-only lanes on Highway 7 began in 2010, and construction on Yonge Street is expected to be started 2012.[8]


[edit] Fares

A validated and expired Viva Student Ticket dated on May 4, 2006
A monthly pass for York Region Transit for April 2009.

On October 23, 2008, the York Region council passed fare increases for York Region Transit and Viva services effective January 1, 2009. The fare hike makes YRT bus fares the most expensive in the nation, along with Ottawa's OC Transpo.[9]

Beginning January 1, 2012, YRT and Viva's fares are as follows:[10]

The PRESTO Card is available for use starting July 18th, 2011 [11] and fares are equivalent to one ticket. The Presto Card cannot be used on TTC routes serving York Region even if travelling entirely within York Region, as the TTC has not integrated with the Presto card system. GO fare integration is also not supported for Route 69 (operated by GO Transit on behalf of YRT); GO fares will be charged on that route instead.

Fares were increased on January 1, 2012.[12]

Fare Category Cash Fare 10 Tickets Monthly Pass
1 Zone 2 Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone
Adults $ 3.50 $ 4.50 $ 28.00 $ 38.00 $ 115.00 $ 160.00
High School Students $ 3.50 $ 4.50 $ 21.00 $ 31.00 $ 85.00 $ 130.00
Children / Senior 65+ $ 3.50 $ 4.50 $ 16.50 $ 26.50 $ 50.00 $ 82.00
Express (All age groups) $ 4.00 - $ 33.00 - $ 130.00 -
Weekly Pass
Greater Toronto Area $ 54.00
Fare Supplements
Ride to GO $ 0.75
Zone Upgrade $ 1.00
Express Upgrade $ 0.50

[edit] Zones

YRT is divided into three fare zones (Zone 1, 2, and 3) with the boundary being the Oak Ridges Moraine (between the King Road Vivastation and the Bloomington Road Vivastation) and Ravenshoe Road; the zone rule is that a one-zone fare is needed for a trip that starts or ends within the boundaries, and a two-zone fare is needed for a trip that passes completely through the boundary. Because there is no route that exists that passes through all three zones, all trips are two-zone, unless a transfer is made. Also, there is only one route which passes and Zone 2-3 boundary, which is Route 69 - Sutton GO Bus.

Tickets purchased at certain stores are unvalidated, and are validated for boarding a bus or Viva by inserting the ticket into a slot at the side of Viva stations.

[edit] Vehicles and fleet rosters

2010 New Flyer D40LFR #1034 at Promenade Terminal on Route 88 Bathurst
2008 ElDorado EZ-Rider II MAX #850 at Newmarket Terminal
2007 New Flyer D40LF #707, running south of Steeles Avenue on the Route 99 Yonge

YRT has about 450 buses (as of March 2008); operated by private contractors as shown above in Operations

 Make/Model   Description   Fleet #   Notes 
New Flyer Industries D40LF 40' Diesel bus 311-335, 401-412, 571-585, 601-609, 610- 618, 701-730, 801-819, 901-945, 1001–1019 Handicapped/disabled access 320,323,[13]330,333,610-618,700s,800s,900's,1000's in new YRT livery.
New Flyer Industries D40LFR 40' Diesel bus 1020-1038, 1101-1120[14] Handicapped/disabled access All buses delivered in new YRT livery.
Orion Bus Industries 05.501 40' Diesel bus 001-014, 225-233, 301-310, Handicapped/disabled access 006, 007 retired.[15] 224 retired as a result of an accident, 307 in new paint scheme
Orion Bus Industries 06.501 40' Diesel bus 1045–1046, 2061–2067, 9701-9704, 9801-9802, 9931-9933 Handicapped/disabled access 9701 and 9703 in recently refurbished and in new scheme. 2061-2067 & 9702, 9704, 9801-9802 retired
ElDorado National EZ Rider II 30' Diesel bus 541-570 619-621, 623 Handicapped/disabled access 622 retired due to fire.
ElDorado National EZ Rider II MAX 30' Diesel bus 850-868, 980-990, 991-996 Handicapped/disabled access 850-859, 980-990 to Newmarket, 860-868, Miller, 991-996 Can-Ar (Mobility Plus)
ElDorado National EZ Rider II BRT 30' Diesel bus 1060-1072 1160-1162 Handicapped/disabled access 1060-1064 to Newmarket, 1065-1067, 1160-1162 Markham, 1068-1072 Richmond Hill
Overland Custom Coach Ford ELF Wheelchair Accessible Bus 381-385, 481-483, 591-598 Handicapped/disabled access
General Motors Astro Utility Van
Chevrolet Impala supervisor car
Ford Taurus station wagon supervisor car

The intitial fleet consisted of buses from previous York Region operators, but has since been expanded with YRT-bought vehicles.

For Viva bus fleet, see Viva (bus rapid transit) for details.

[edit] Demo bus

  • ElDorado Axess 2004 - full size bus never entered full service Handicapped/disabled access
  • Novabus LFX 2009 - Articulated bus never entered service with YRT, but led to the purchase of them for VIVA Handicapped/disabled access

Handicapped/disabled accessDenotes wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

[edit] Fleet colours

  • YRT old fleet colours 2001-2005

  • YRT current fleet colours

YRT's first fleet (2001–2005) was painted with a white base with blue and gold stripes. During the early years many buses still had their pre-2000 colours from the previous operators with "YRT" painted on the front and sides. The livery was changed after 2005 to a white and several tones of blue. Only the Viva fleet is all-blue, but one Orion I YRT (#2028) was painted all-blue for a colour demo, but it was never in revenue service.[16] During the transition to the second colour theme some buses were all white with the old "YRT" label remaining.

[edit] Staff

YRT operating staff are employed by their respective contractors.

[edit] Uniforms

Bus operating staff uniform consists of a white shirt with blue pin strips with YRT crest on the left chest and dark navy pants.

[edit] Transit enforcement

Main article: YRT/Viva Special Constable Services

Fare Inspectors and Special Constables patrol the entire transit system for the safety and security of passengers and to ensure compliance with the proof-of-payment system. They make random checks onboard buses to ensure the proper use of tickets, transfers and passes. Customers without valid fares are subject to a warning, an instant fine or a criminal charge.

[edit] CCTV cameras

Starting in 2006, YRT began installing 150 cameras on YRT (including Mobility Plus) and Viva buses. By the end of 2008, there will be 210 more cameras added to the two systems.[17] CCTV Cameras are also installed in some of the vivastations. Such example will be Bayview Vivastation in Richmond Hill.

[edit] Terminals

Terminals of York Region Transit

[edit] Routes

Handicapped/disabled accessdenotes routes with accessible buses.


[edit] Numbering conventions

  • 001 to 99 — Regular bus routes
  • 200 series — GO Transit Shuttle (excluding Route 224)
  • 300 series — Express (extra fare required)
  • 400 series — High School Specials
  • 500 series — Community Bus (local)
  • 600 series — Viva BRT Routes

[edit] 2011-2012 labour strike

Starting on 24 October 2011, bus drivers and workers contracted by Miller Transit, First Student and York BRT Services (Veolia) started striking, protesting over wages and benefits for three months. Over 60 percent of YRT bus routes in York region and all Viva routes did not operate. Starting on 5 December 2011, YRT and Viva workers started picketing at Finch-GO Terminal, YRT headquarters, South-West Division Garage, and Richmond Hill Centre Terminal. 96% of all YRT/Viva routes are to return to service by Saturday, February 4, 2012 (EST), with full services operational by Monday, February 6, 2012 (EST). To compensate riders for the three months of service disruptions, York Region is providing two months of free busing, using the money saved by not having to pay striking workers.

[edit] Current officers

As of February 2011, the executive of YRT consists of:

[edit] See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: York Region Transit

[edit] References

  1. ^ YRT\Viva 2009 Ridership Summary
  2. ^ Mobility Plus 2009 Ridership
  3. ^ a b David Fleischer (January 26, 2010). "York looks south for new transit boss". yorkregion.com. Metroland Media Group. http://www.theliberal.com/News/Regional%20News/article/102218. Retrieved February 4, 2010. 
  4. ^ YRT 2008 Draft Service Plan
  5. ^ http://www.york.ca/Publications/News/2012/January+26%2c+2012+York+Region+awards+new+contract+to+TOK+Transit+Limited+to+restore+North+Division+YR.htm
  6. ^ http://www.york.ca/NR/rdonlyres/pmg5p2nfvntsgufiqmufgyth4skukl35ikfqleqv4iwecatbajsullhnn6d5rpiwgoffhrohye2gkke2jrwd3ise4f/rpt+2+cls+3.pdf
  7. ^ http://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php?title=York_Region_Transit_BRT_Division
  8. ^ Vivanext.com
  9. ^ "Regional Municipality of York Agendas Minutes and Reports". October 23, 2008. http://www.york.ca/Regional+Government/Agendas+Minutes+and+Reports/_2008/CM+Oct+23.htm. Retrieved December 19, 2008. 
  10. ^ "MyTransit Newsletter Winter 2008/09". http://www.yrt.ca/news/MyTransit_Winter0809_final.pdf. Retrieved December 11, 2008. 
  11. ^ http://www.yrt.ca/news/index.asp#presto
  12. ^ "YRT/Viva fare change approved for 2012". York Region Transit. http://www.yrt.ca/en/Newsmodule/index.aspx?departmentId=I82X5exjK422E8HPlUsqZdAJgeQuAleQuAl. Retrieved January 8, 2012. 
  13. ^ http://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php?title=York_Region_Transit_311-335
  14. ^ http://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php?title=York_Region_Transit_1101-1120
  15. ^ http://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php?title=York_Region_Transit_001-014
  16. ^ [1]
  17. ^ MyTransit Fall 2008
  • Markham Transit 1990 Rider's Guide, Town of Markham
  • Markham Transit Fall 1994 Rider's Guide, Town of Markham
  • Markham Transit Fall 1999 Rider's Guide, Town of Markham
  • Markham Transit 2000 Rider's Guide, Town of Markham
  • Transit History...Vaughan
  • Transit History...Markham
  • Transit History...Richmond Hill
  • "vivatalk - York Region's Rapid Transit Update", Economist & Sun/Sun-Tribune: Community, June 11, 2005, p 7.

[edit] External links
Agencies
Rail
Bus and coach
Major stations
Accessible transit
Related articles
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
Ontario
Barrie • Belleville • Brampton • Brantford • Brockville • Burlington • Chatham-Kent • Clarence-Rockland • Cobourg • Collingwood • Cornwall • Deseronto • Durham Region • Elliot Lake • Fort Erie • GO Transit (Greater Toronto) • Guelph • Hamilton • Huntsville • Kenora • Kingston • Leamington • Lindsay • London • Midland • Milton • Mississauga • Niagara Falls • Niagara Parks • Niagara Region • Norfolk County • North Bay • North Glengarry/Prescott-Russell • Oakville • Ottawa • Ontario Northland (intercity) • Orangeville • Orillia • Owen Sound • Peterborough • Port Hope • Russell Township • St. Catharines • St. Thomas • Sarnia • Sault Ste. Marie • Stratford • Sudbury • Tecumseh • Thunder Bay • Timmins • Toronto • Wasaga Beach • Waterloo Region • Welland • Windsor • Woodstock • York Region
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Yukon
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=York_Region_Transit&oldid=478348761"
Personal tools
Namespaces

Variants
Actions
Navigation
Interaction
Toolbox
Print/export
Languages