Hamilton promises faster, more reliable bus service with new transit plan

The City of Hamilton has unveiled a new, expanded transit plan, promising a faster, more frequent and reliable bus service. 

The updated routes are also designed to complement the 14-kilometre light rail transit (LRT) line that will eventually connect McMaster University and Eastgate Mall, said Maureen Cosyn Heath, city transit director, at a public works committee meeting Monday.

The plan includes several new rapid routes connecting riders as far away as Dundas, Trinity, Mount Hope, Elfrida and Winona to the LRT downtown. More than 300,000 residents live within 800 metres of the proposed rapid network, according to a staff report.

Right now, the city only has two rapid bus routes running from Mount Hope to the north end and Dundas to Stoney Creek. Less than 145,000 residents live within 800 metres of the lines.

Heath said the city's still catching up from budget cuts and service reductions in the 1990s that coincided with "plunging ridership." 

"Our network still carries the scars of the nipped and tucked services," Heath told councillors. 

More bus stops and routes

Coun. John-Paul Danko (Ward 8) said the proposed plan represents a shift in thinking. 

"We've been in this cycle where we see transit users as taking transit because it's their only option," he said at the meeting. "The plan before us here is really about making transit the option of choice and not the choice of last resort." 

The proposed plan would cost around $156 million, up from the $90 million the system currently costs, according to estimates from a report by McMaster University engineers who helped city staff develop the network.

Highlights from the plan include:

• Nine additional routes
• 112 more bus stops 
• Six rapid routes
• Monday to Saturday buses running from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m.
• Sunday buses running from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
• Rapid routes will run every 10 minutes during peak hours

The proposal, called "Re-envision the HSR," is based on years of public consultations, as staff adapted to changing LRT plans and council's decision last year to convert Main Street from a one-way to two-way street, Heath said.

In total, the city received 13,000 pieces of feedback through in-person events, online surveys and a customer panel. 

"The customers' message rang loud and clear and we've answered them with our redesign," Heath told councillors. "Customers have said they want service that is fast, frequent, reliable and affordable. They want better service on weekends and holidays and better opportunities to connect with other modes of transit and the GO [network]." 

If approved at council later this month, staff will do another round of public consultations for the proposed routes and have a final proposal ready for council in early 2024 for the next budget cycle, said Heath. 

The new plan would be rolled out over a number of years.