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Hamilton Street Railway

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Hamilton Street Railway
New Flyer C40LF #510213 on the 5C route in downtown Hamilton.
Founded1874
Headquarters2200 Upper James St.
LocaleHamilton, Ontario
Service areaHamilton, Stoney Creek, Dundas, Ancaster and Burlington.
Service typePublic Transit
Routes33
Fleet190 buses[1]
Fuel typeDiesel, CNG, Diesel-electric
OperatorCity of Hamilton
WebsiteOfficial Website

The Hamilton Street Railway Company (HSR) is the Transit Division of the City of Hamilton, Public Works Department [2] in Ontario, Canada. The name is a legacy of the days when the majority of public transit vehicles were streetcars; the present-day Hamilton Street Railway is in fact a bus operator. The HSR transports about 21 million passengers a year.[1]

History

From 1873 to 1889, the HSR was owned by Lyman Moore and operated as a private business. In 1889 HSR was sold to Hamilton Cataract Interests, later known as Dominion Power and Transmission Company. The HSR was later acquired by Ontario Hydro.

Provincial ownership ended in 1946 when HSR was bought by Canada Coach Lines. CCL was purchased by the city of Hamilton in 1960. Hamilton-Wentworth Region began ownership of CCL and HSR in 1977.

Other streetcar systems

Hamilton & Dundas Street Railway 1873-1923
Hamilton, Grimsby & Beamsville Electric Railway 1891-1931
Hamilton Radial Electric Railway 1893-1925
Brantford & Hamilton Electric Railway 1896-1931
Hamilton Terminal Company 1907-1930s

Services

Bus routes

No. Name Inner Terminal Outer Terminal Notes
1 King Eastgate Square Hamilton GO Centre Sunday service extends to Fiesta Mall.
1A King Eastgate Square McMaster University Medical Centre Weekday service only.
2 Barton Hamilton GO Centre Bell Manor Loop
3 Cannon Hamilton GO Centre Reid & Dunsmure
4 Bayfront Downtown Mt. Albion Loop
5 Delaware Head Street Loop King & Jones
5A Delaware The Meadowlands Greenhill & Cochrane
5B West Hamilton King & Jones University Plaza No weekend service.
5C West Hamilton Greenhill & Cochrane West Hamilton Loop
or The Meadowlands 		Alternating trips to West Hamilton Loop or The Meadowlands. No service to The Meadowlands on weekends.
5E Delaware Governors & Pirie Quigley & Greenhill
6 Aberdeen Downtown Princess Point Loop
7 Locke Downtown Hillcrest Loop
8 York Downtown Lamoreaux & Strathcona
9 Rock Gardens Downtown Holy Sepulchre Cemetery Summer Sunday and holiday service only. Travels to Burlington.
10 B-Line Eastgate Square University Plaza Weekday express service.
10A B-Line Eastgate Square McMaster University Medical Centre Weekday express service.
11 Parkdale Valley Park Loop Burlington Bus Terminal Only daily route that travels to Burlington. Does not serve Downtown.
12 Wentworth Wentworth & Mars Victoria & King Counterclockwise loop. Route only operates on weekdays, with no midday service.
16 Ancaster The Meadowlands Duffs Corners No Sunday service. Does not serve Downtown.
18 Waterdown Waterdown & Parkside Aldershot GO Station Weekday peak hour service only. Does not serve Downtown.
20 A-Line Downtown Hamilton International Airport Weekday peak-hour express service.
21 Upper Kenilworth Downtown Mountain Brow Loop
22 Upper Ottawa Downtown Mountain Business Park
23 Upper Gage Downtown Upper Gage & Rymal
24 Upper Sherman Downtown Upper Gage & Rymal
25 Upper Wentworth Downtown Lime Ridge Mall
26 Upper Wellington Downtown Lime Ridge Mall
27 Upper James Downtown Mountain Transit Centre
33 Sanatorium Downtown Scenic & Lavander Loop
34 Upper Paradise Downtown Glancaster Loop
34A Upper Paradise Downtown Upper Horning Loop
35 College Downtown St. Elizabeth Village Loop
41 Mohawk The Meadowlands Gage & Industrial Does not serve Downtown.
41A Mohawk Chedoke Hospital Gage & Industrial Does not serve Downtown.
43 Stone Church Highland & Aubrey The Meadowlands No Sunday service. Does not serve Downtown.
44 Rymal Eastgate Square Ancaster Business Park Weekday peak hour service only. Does not serve Downtown.
51 University Hamilton GO Centre West Hamilton Loop No Sunday or summer service.
52 Dundas King & Jones Pirie & Governors
52A Dundas Local York & Watson's Loop Pleasant & Orchard Weekday peak hour service only. Does not serve Downtown.
55 Stoney Creek Central Eastgate Square Hwy 8 & Jones Via Queenston. Does not serve Downtown.
55A Stoney Creek Central Eastgate Square Levi Loop Does not serve Downtown.
56 Confederation Park Eastgate Square Confederation Park Summer weekend and holiday service only. Does not serve Downtown.
58 Stoney Creek Local Eastgate Square Hwy 8 & Jones Via King. Does not serve Downtown.
99 Waterfront Shuttle Downtown Pier 8 Seven-day summer-only service.

Route histories

In the early 1990s the HSR eliminated many routes by expanding current routes. The following is a list of replaced and withdrawn routes:

1 King This route had two previous ends of line during this time: 1B King-Reid and 1 King (to Donn Avenue in Stoney Creek). The 1B was replaced by extended service to Eastgate Square and it was changed to 1A King and the 1 King to Donn Avenue was moved to a new terminal at the Fiesta Mall. The 1A operated Monday to Saturday between Eastgate Square and downtown Hamilton and the 1 King operated Sundays only from Fiesta Mall and downtown.
2 Barton Trips alternated between Melvin & Osborne (2C Barton-Talbot) and the Bell Manor Loop near Grays Road (near the Hamilton/Stoney Creek border). All trips were extended to the Bell Manor Loop.
15 Sherman/Ottawa Replaced (on Ottawa Street only) first by 4 Bayfront, then 53 Burlington, and eventually 41 Mohawk.
17 Ancaster Local Withdrawn due to low ridership.
18 Waterdown Eliminated to Aldershot GO Station due to low ridership and not replaced; reinstated September 2008.
31 Fennell Replaced by 21 Upper Kenilworth (service moved from Concession Street to Fennell Avenue) and 41 Mohawk (now serving Kenilworth Avenue and Ottawa Street).
32 Garth Replaced by 35 College (which was extended south of Mohawk College).
45 Limeridge Eliminated without replacement because Limeridge Road was closed as a through street.
53 Burlington Replaced by 41 Mohawk (now serving Ottawa Street) and 11 Parkdale (which was extended into Burlington).
57 Nash Replaced by 4 Bayfront (now serving Nash Road and Quigley Road to Mount Albion Loop).
59 Frances Ave Four month trial route from October 2, 1989 - February 4, 1990.

Streetcar routes

The HSR operated horsecars from 1874 to 1892 and electric streetcars from 1892 to 1951. Trolleybuses replaced streetcars in Hamilton in 1951.

List of streetcar routes in Hamilton prior to 1951:

  • Belt Line 1913-1946 (Red Line)
    • James St 1874
    • King St 1874
    • Bartonville shuttle 1907
  • Burlington-Westdale 1941-1946 (Green Line)
    • James Street North 1874 - later as Westdale-James North
    • Burlington Street 1896 - opened by Hamilton Radial Electric Railway; later as Burlington-James South (Yellow Line)
    • King Street West & Westdale 1874 - later as Westdale-James North 1930
  • Aberdeen-King West 1874-1947 (Yellow Line)
    • York Street 1874
    • Herkimer Street between James and Queen 1883 - renamed King West-York 1892 (Green Line)
    • Aberdeen late 1870s by Hamilton & Dundas Street Railway; later acquired by HSR and mergered by West Hamilton 1923; renamed Aberdeen-Stuart
    • York & Aberdeen 1930 - replaced Aberdeen-Stuart line; sections closed 1939 and ceased operations along entire route 1947
  • Crosstown (Sanford) Shuttle 1924-1948
  • Firestone shuttle 1927-1939
  • Wentworth 1874-1913 - renamed Wentworth-Stuart and used until 1942

Trolleybus routes

Trolleybuses were used by the HSR from 1951 to 1992 along the following routes:

  • King-Barton
    • later as 1 King - until 1987
    • later as 2 Barton - until 1992
  • Cannon 1951-1989
    • later 3 Cannon

Trans-Cab

Introduced in 1998 as a two year pilot project, Trans-Cab is a shared-ride taxi service between HSR and specific local taxi providers, currently offered in portions of Glanbrook and Stoney Creek.

Accessible transportation

Accessible Transportation Services (ATS) is the section that administers a variety of accessible services on behalf of the City

  • Accessible low-floor (ALF) buses provide level entry and exit to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. It is anticipated that the entire HSR fleet will be accessible by 2009.
  • Disabled and Aged Regional Transportation System (DARTS) is a non profit charitable organization that is the paratransit service provider.
  • Taxi Scrip program provides discounted taxi coupons for ATS registered persons who are unable to access regular transit buses.

Rapid Transit System

HSR is considering the use of LRT in Hamilton, Ontario.[3] The city is working with Metrolinx on a plan to get an LRT with 15 years after plans are approved. The plan routes may include[4]:

No vehicles have been chosen, but it may be similar to the Flexity Outlook under the proposed Transit City.

Plans to use the UTDC ICTS technology were scrapped in the 1980s. No lines were created for the HSR.

Facilities

Barns/garages

  • 1875 first horsebarn opens
  • 1887 second horsebarn opens
  • 1889 Sanford Avenue carhouse opens
  • 1927 - 1990 Wentworth Street North carbarn/garage opens (machine shops, etc.)
  • 1984-1996;1998 to present Mountain Regional Transit Centre on Upper James Street
  • 1990 - 1998 Wentworth Street Transit Centre

Loops

Location Type Notes
Barton & Bell Manor Loop bus
CNIB/Main West Loop bus
Dundurn Loop bus Locke Route; technically terminus for three-point-turn
Glancaster Road Loop bus
Guise Loop streetcar
Kenilworth & Barton trolleybus short turn loop
Kenilworth & Cannon trolleybus short turn loop
King & James turntable streetcar
Lakeland Loop bus
Levi Loop bus
Main & London trolleybus King route short turn loop
Princess Point Loop bus
Queenston Loop bus no longer used; replaced with Fiesta Mall)
Scenic & Lavender Loop bus
Strathearne Loop trolleybus Strathearne & Roxborough Ave; no longer used
Titan Loop bus
Valley Park Loop bus
West Hamilton Loop bus
Westdale Loop streetcar

Terminals and connections

HSR routes from downtown to the Mountain (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 33, and 35) currently use MacNab Transit Terminal, while several lower city routes (4, 6, 7, 8 and 9) have an on-street terminal layover at the intersection of Main and James Streets. 34 has a layover location on King at James.

HSR connects with GO Transit at Hamilton GO Centre, which serves as the terminus for four HSR routes (1, 2, 3, and 51). The station, located at 36 Hunter Street East, a few blocks south of King and James, is the terminus of the GO's Lakeshore West railway line and Express Highway 407 and Queen Elizabeth Way GO Buses. It is also the main Greyhound Lines bus stop (mainly serving London, Ontario and those connections) in Hamilton. Canada Coach Lines, once owned by HSR, is now served by Coach Canada, formerly Trentway-Wagar, and operates routes between Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, and Niagara. It is also the former Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo Railway (TH&B) passenger station, and there is a small museum above the public concourse. HSR routes 2 and 4 also connect with GO at Barton Street & Nash Road in East Hamilton, where a GO bus travels between there and the Burlington GO Station.

At the Mountain Transit Centre transfer point (served by route 27) and a contract with Blue Line Taxi, the HSR also connects with other areas in the northwest portion of the former Glanbrook Township.

In addition, the HSR is connected with Burlington Transit, as one route (11 Parkdale) travels into Burlington via Burlington Beach, 18 Waterdown connects with BT at Aldershot GO Station, and BT Route 1 enters downtown Hamilton from Plains Road West. Also '9 Rock Gardens' travels into Burlington going into the Royal Botanical Gardens during the summer months.

Other terminals and loops

Location Routes
Bell Manor Loop 2, 55A
Eastgate Transit Terminal 1, 10, 44, 55/55A, 56, 58
Glancaster Loop 34, Redeemer University College Shuttle (limited service)
Limeridge Transit Terminal 25, 26, 41/41A, 43, Mohawk East Extra Shuttle
McMaster University 1A, 10A, 5A/5C, 51 run through or terminate at the University
5B/5E, 10, 52 pass nearby on Main Street
GO Transit bus service to & from Burlington GO Station
Meadowlands 5A/5C (peak hours), 16, 41, 43, Redeemer University College Shuttle (limited service)
Upper Horning Loop 34A
West Hamilton Loop 5C, 51

Fares

Age group Cash fare 5 tickets Monthly Pass Annual Pass
Elementary schoolchildren (Grades 1-8) $2.55 $8.25† $71.00† n/a
Students in secondary school (age 19 and under) $2.55 $8.25† $71.00† n/a
Adults $2.55 $10.00 $87.00 n/a
Seniors (age 65 to 79) $2.55 $10.00 $87.00 $205.00
Golden Age Pass (age 80 and older) n/a n/a n/a Free
Fares as of January 1, 2010[5] - † Valid Student I.D. may be required

Metrolinx and HSR have partnered to install and operate an electronic fare card called Presto. The project aims to standardize fare collection systems across transit agencies in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. The system is predicted to be operational by February 2011.[6]

The Golden Age Pass must be obtained by going to either the HSR Go Station Kiosk, or by visiting the Mountain Transit Centre.

Starting on January 1, 2010, one (1) Support Person will be able to travel free of charge on HSR buses when accompanying any person with a disability who has an identified medical requirement for support. As a result of this change in policy, any passenger with a disability who requires the assistance of a Support Person in order to travel on the HSR will need to show proof of their requirement for a Support Person. The HSR Support Person Identification Card is a Photo ID Card that identifies a person who, because of their disability, requires regular or occasional assistance while traveling on HSR buses.

In order to obtain the HSR Support Person ID card, persons with disabilities must complete an application form, which includes medical certification of a requirement for a Support Person, and must submit this form by mail to Accessible Transportation Services (ATS) for review.

In Person: ATS Office - 2200 Upper James St.; HSR Ticket Office - 36 Hunter St. E.; or any local Municipal Service Centre By Mail: Call 905-528-4200 Ext. 1830 By Internet: Click on www.hamilton.ca/hsr

  • Two of the Hamilton Street Railway’s former Flyer E800 trolleybuses are preserved at the Halton County Radial Railway museum.
    Two of the Hamilton Street Railway’s former Flyer E800 trolleybuses are preserved at the Halton County Radial Railway museum.
  • Hamilton Street Railway Orion V 8907 on the 34A route at the intersection of King and James Streets in downtown Hamilton.
    Hamilton Street Railway Orion V 8907 on the 34A route at the intersection of King and James Streets in downtown Hamilton.
  • New Flyer D40LFs like this one seen at McMaster University form much of the HSR’s recent bus fleet.
    New Flyer D40LFs like this one seen at McMaster University form much of the HSR’s recent bus fleet.
  • In 2007, the HSR introduced articulated hybrid buses for the route 10 Beeline Express.
    In 2007, the HSR introduced articulated hybrid buses for the route 10 Beeline Express.
  • Route 99 - Waterfront Shuttle (2008).
    Route 99 - Waterfront Shuttle (2008).

Trams

Hamilton Street Railway is a railway and operated horsetram (1873–1892) and streetrailway (1892–1951) lines (hence the name). Trolleybuses were also run on a routes 1 King, 2 Barton and 3 Cannon from 1951 to 1988 - the trolleys lasted on route 2 Barton until 1993. Hamilton Street Railway is exclusively a railway operator and plans to electrify the entire fleet on street rails.

Rail

Horsecars

  • Stevenson & Co. closed horsecar
    • 6 - June 1874
    • 4 - December 1874
  • J. G. Brill and Company closed horsecar 1876
  • Jones's Sons Company closed horsecar 1879, 1890 (5)
  • Jones's Sons Company open horsecar 1889, 1890 (6)
  • J. G. Brill and Company open horsecar 1886
  • unknown builders of open and closed horsecars 1884
  • unknown builder, 4 closed and 1 open 1887
  • unknown builder, 3 closed and 4 open 1888
  • Allen horsecar sleigh 1881 and 1884
  • Jones sleigh 1877 (3)
  • Jones sleigh 1879 (4)

Streetcars

  • Paterson & Corbin Line car 1908
    • Line car /896
  • Preston Car Company closed car
    • Preston car 1912
    • DEST closed 1912
    • 28 DEDT closed 1912
    • DEST Paye
  • G.C. Kuhlman Car Company ST closed
    • sweeper 1908
  • 18 ex-Cleveland cars 1902
  • Laconia Car Company closed car
    • 1 DT/DEcar 1907 - ex Boston
  • 16 Ottawa Car Company DT/DE closed car 1910
    • sweeper
  • McGuire-Cummings Manufacturing Company sweeper 1916
  • Jones SE closed car
    • 5 Jones ST open
    • closed car
    • open car
    • DT closed
    • 10 DT open cars 1900
  • 24 National Steel Car SEDT closed 1927
  • 11 NSC DT/SE 1928
  • 11 NSC DT/SE 1929
  • Laconia Car Company DEDT
  • 15 ex-open horse cars
  • 10 ex-closed ST horsecars
  • 1 ST sand car
  • 5 ex-Brooklyn Rapid Transit Co 10 bench cars 1904
  • 10 ex-BRT Co cars 1905
  • 1 DT closed car from Boston 1906
  • 1 ex Boston car 1906
  • 1 work motor car (Koppel) 1900
  • 4 ex Boston cars 1908
  • 1 DT closed - ex Boston

Rubber Tire

Buses

Trolleybuses

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hamilton Street Railway.
  1. ^ a b About the company
  2. ^ Name and relationship of HSR as shown on City website
  3. ^ City of Hamilton - Rapid Transit
  4. ^ Why is the City of Hamilton interested in rapid transit?
  5. ^ Fares and Conditions
  6. ^ http://www.metrolinx.com/mx/en/board/20101116/Metrolinx_Update_November16_v6.pdf
  • Mills, John M. (1971). Cataract Traction:The Railways of Hamilton. Canadian Traction Series. Vol. Volume 2. Toronto: Upper Canada Railway Society & Ontario Electric Railway Historical Association. p. 116. {{cite book}}: |volume= has extra text (help)
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