GRT Strasburg Rd Facility Expansion

[RangersFan]

July 14, 2012

[KLM]

I wonder ,are they going to be able to service articulated buses in this new facility?

[zanate]

From http://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/re...s/PA110125.pdf page 49:

Regional Transportation Master Plan (RTMP) Facility Requirements

GRT currently operates two facilities with a combined storage for 227 conventional transit buses. The Kitchener facility on Strasburg Rd has storage for 165 buses and the Cambridge facility on Conestoga Blvd has storage for 62 buses. The expansion of the Strasburg Rd facility will increase the combined storage to 312 conventional transit buses. The Regional Transportation Master Plan forecasts the transit fleet will grow to 429 conventional buses (12 meters) and 172 articulated buses (19 meters) by 2031. The introduction of articulated buses is expected in 2017. The 2008 Transit Facilities Strategy Update is being updated to reflect the RTMP requirements and will outline facility options to accommodate this expected fleet growth including the introduction of articulated buses.

The document is dated January 2011. It doesn't actually say whether this work will allow for artics, but that they'll need to soon.

Edit: Should've kept searching a little longer. From 2009:

The functional space program was reviewed and compared against the design drawings. Several efficiencies were identified by reducing oversized areas, combining staff support spaces of neighboring functional groups and providing multi-function rooms that could be used for several purposes. The Preliminary design also allowed for a number of articulated buses to be stored and maintained in the facility but since there are no immediate plans for articulated buses and the additional maintenance space and equipment requirements are significant, they were eliminated from the design.

I'm guessing no. But now I'm curious too!

[RangersFan]

Seems strange to anticipate articulated buses in 2017 but in 2009-2012 cut the storing and servicing for them out of the facility addition, seems short sighted but then again maybe they have been further delayed/abandoned all together.

[mpd618]

This garage won't be able to handle articulated buses. I believe the next garage project is supposed to be able to handle them, though I do not remember where that's supposed to be.

Articulated buses have a mixed reputation. If you're running frequent service, they save on labour costs. But they are also more expensive to maintain, and we have only one route that needs articulated buses: the 7. But that route needs to be reworked, first and foremost. And everything else needs more frequent service.

[KLM]

This garage won't be able to handle articulated buses. I believe the next garage project is supposed to be able to handle them, though I do not remember where that's supposed to be.

Articulated buses have a mixed reputation. If you're running frequent service, they save on labour costs. But they are also more expensive to maintain, and we have only one route that needs articulated buses: the 7. But that route needs to be reworked, first and foremost. And everything else needs more frequent service.

I am just curious since GRT is adding new facility. Glad to see they are expanding which means more buses. If they add artics even better.

I agree on 7 that need artics plus to be revised- something for GRT planners to work on?

About mixed reviews for artics , true what you stated mpd but keep in mind that K-W is not hilly , pretty much everything is flat with wide streets. If its opposite then we would be in trouble with artics.

Roundabouts , well that different story.

Anyway ,thanks for great info guys.

[BuildingScout]

Articulated buses and trolleys have a spotty history in Mexico City. Currently they are in use in their BRT:

http://brt.mercedes-benz.com/content...xico_city.html

[UrbanWaterloo]

September 6, 2012

[KevinL]

This will easily make for, what, double their current capacity? It's massive.

[UrbanWaterloo]

March 30, 2013

[EdM]

It's nice to see the sawtooth roof making a comeback. It should save quite a bit on lighting costs.

[KLM]

look nice ! anybody know when is completion date ??

[WaterlooNative]

If I had to guess, it would be that the angled roof is for some sort of solar capturing (either water or power).

[KevinL]

Definitely power - you can see the photovoltaics if you look from the other direction.