Discussions

Since our lovely weather last Monday through Wednesday I decided to look into the city buses here. It has been many, many years since I rode a city bus anywhere. 1997 to be exact.  
 
It went really well but I soon found out that there are no longer transfers and I had to pay again on the second bus. It was no big deal and still really cheap and much safer than my car in that weather. But I was shocked. Lucky for me I had lots of change on me.  
 
What's up with that? LOL

I haven't ridden the bus in over 2 decades, and am currently teaching my teenager to ride the bus...I was surprised as well to find out that there's no transfers anymore...you used to be able to get to your final destination on one fare (even though it might take 2 busses to get there because of the way the routes are set up). Too bad they changed it, but I guess those are the times we live in...still cheap form of transportation, especially with a monthly pass. Now if we could only get the busses not leave the downtown bus terminal until ALL the busses have arrived...more then once my son's bus has gotten downtown AFTER all the others have left so he's stuck downtown for 1/2 hr and that makes this Mom nervous...and him late.

I am greatful to have this cheap service but boy it caught me off guard.  
 
Does anyone know how long since transfers have disappeared? And why?

Happy_ Hour said "I am greatful to have this cheap service but boy it caught me off guard.     Does anyone know how long since transfers have disappeared? And why? "

a couple of years since no transfers. Makes the numbers look good on paper. The city talks about all the people riding the bus but in reality how many are there? Every fare paid counts as a rider and that's not right is it?

The fees to ride were deceased to about half cost about 5 years ago. They got rid of the transfers and the eight monthly assessment at that time. Monthly passes were decreased as well. Not sure on how long ago but I think it was about 5 years

Sorry it should say EI monthly passes not eight

Tell your teenager that when he gets on the bus to let the driver know he needs to make a connection downtown. The driver will make sure that the other bus waits to ensure he does not miss it.  
 
Edited by Curling Mom, 2017-03-12 18:54:28

Curling mom, that's not what they OP meant by transfers.  
 
At one point years ago, when you got on one bus, you could ask for a transfer. It was a piece of paper the driver gave you that was good for 30 or so minutes until you made it to the downtown terminal, once downtown, you then gave the transfer to the next bus you wanted on and it allowed you to ride a second bus without actually paying a second rider fee like you do now.

Thanks for the tip...we'll give that a try.  
 
Boo Boo, I think Curling Mom is aware what a transfer is, she was referring to another comment in my post.

Not many riding this winter season in actuality.Of course they can show the trumped up numbers with their "2 for 1" system.Look in the evening even in winter at how many are riding.Summer will even be slower.So slow that maybe council and the new City Manager (when one is hired)should look into cutting service.Only run them at peek times through the day and no evening service except maybe leave the midnight Maple Leaf run out til 2am.

announced that there would be a complete overhaul/look at the transit and their routes early last year. The more riders of buses I talk to the more complaints I hear.  
 
I abhor seeing the buses running empty especially on stat holidays when retail is closed. One city councillor told me that the empty buses bothered him so much that he had to close his blinds, lol

Yes a lot of times they are empty but what you may think of as peak times aren't the same as bus peak times. Add in that they have cut back already on times, after 6 the routes are only every hour. And than for people who work Sunday no buses after six make getting to/from work hard. So no matter what your not going to win. And once they barricade the 8th st bridge I think the #5 will be getting more use as the way across the tracks will be no more.