canrocks
New Member
I'm really enjoying the resurgence of this thread! I've been trying to learn as much as I can about the intercity bus industry, and I'd like to write my final research project (Ryerson planning undergrad; I'm sure there are a lot of you around) about Ontario's bus regulatory framework. I could go on a big rant about the direction that I want to take my research, but instead, I'll just say this: By and large, Ontario's intercity bus industry isn't nearly as functional as it could be. Buses are cramped and dirty, prices are high relative to similar routes in other jurisdictions, and stations are boring at best. I believe this stems, in part, from the system of regulation, which grants bus operators monopolies, without asking much in return. We can do better.
ANYWAY, as a Ryerson student who grew up in Ottawa, I travel between the two cities quite often. I live an 8 minute walk from the Toronto Coach Terminal, so I have a vested interest in it staying where it is. But the logical part of my brain tells me that the station is cramped, poorly maintained, and, of course there's the bus garage. I've probably lost a few years of my life from exhaust inhalation in that building alone. By and large, If you can avoid this station, you will. And that's a problem. You can travel to almost any other country in the world to see what bus travel could be. http://www.greyhounduk.com/ has 41" seat pitch, which is more than Air Canada's executive class - and they don't charge more than a couple of pounds for any trip. Although the Victoria Coach Station in London is by no means a great place, at least they queue indoors.
All of this to say that Toronto needs a new bus terminal. And it needs to be at Union Station. The old portion of the existing Coach Terminal should be preserved as a historic landmark, but the rest of that space (and the parking lots across the street) should be intensively redeveloped.
And its replacement? There really isn't that much developable space around Union left. The only real option left is this: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&sour....644098,-79.377363&spn=0.001097,0.002411&z=19
Who says a bus station can't have a big, triumphant atrium? There's no reason a bus terminal development on that lot can't pay for itself. As in many cities around the world, a station could be part of a larger building involving retail space, commercial space, and underground parking. Think the Stockholm bus station - but on a grander scale - maybe more like a modern Michigan Central Station.
It can be connected to Union, the PATH, and the existing GO Terminal. It can have indoor waiting and queuing areas, so that people can ride the bus with as much dignity as possible.
And why don't we take it a step further? Why not have right-in right-out bus-only ramps from the Westbound Gardiner directly into the terminal - like a cheaper version of the Port Authority Bus Terminal's connection to the Lincoln Tunnel?
Even without the dedicated ramps, this would cut bus travel times by between 5 and 15 minutes for every single trip to and from Toronto. It would mean much easier access to the subway, especially for those that are schlepping loads of luggage. It would mean MUCH easier connections with both GO and VIA, which will benefit 905ers and visitors alike. Once the Blue22 is or isn't built, it'll mean incredibly fast (although expensive) connections to the airport from anywhere in Ontario. If the Downtown Relief Line is ever built, that bulks up the node even more.
As you can imagine, I could rant about this forever - but I think I've made my point. What are everyone's thought about the intercity bus industry and this specific terminal? Have any especially good bus experiences abroad? I'm here to learn!
unimaginative2, I would reaally, really love to get a hold of that study. Do you have in in PDF or on paper?
ANYWAY, as a Ryerson student who grew up in Ottawa, I travel between the two cities quite often. I live an 8 minute walk from the Toronto Coach Terminal, so I have a vested interest in it staying where it is. But the logical part of my brain tells me that the station is cramped, poorly maintained, and, of course there's the bus garage. I've probably lost a few years of my life from exhaust inhalation in that building alone. By and large, If you can avoid this station, you will. And that's a problem. You can travel to almost any other country in the world to see what bus travel could be. http://www.greyhounduk.com/ has 41" seat pitch, which is more than Air Canada's executive class - and they don't charge more than a couple of pounds for any trip. Although the Victoria Coach Station in London is by no means a great place, at least they queue indoors.
All of this to say that Toronto needs a new bus terminal. And it needs to be at Union Station. The old portion of the existing Coach Terminal should be preserved as a historic landmark, but the rest of that space (and the parking lots across the street) should be intensively redeveloped.
And its replacement? There really isn't that much developable space around Union left. The only real option left is this: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&sour....644098,-79.377363&spn=0.001097,0.002411&z=19
Who says a bus station can't have a big, triumphant atrium? There's no reason a bus terminal development on that lot can't pay for itself. As in many cities around the world, a station could be part of a larger building involving retail space, commercial space, and underground parking. Think the Stockholm bus station - but on a grander scale - maybe more like a modern Michigan Central Station.
It can be connected to Union, the PATH, and the existing GO Terminal. It can have indoor waiting and queuing areas, so that people can ride the bus with as much dignity as possible.
And why don't we take it a step further? Why not have right-in right-out bus-only ramps from the Westbound Gardiner directly into the terminal - like a cheaper version of the Port Authority Bus Terminal's connection to the Lincoln Tunnel?
Even without the dedicated ramps, this would cut bus travel times by between 5 and 15 minutes for every single trip to and from Toronto. It would mean much easier access to the subway, especially for those that are schlepping loads of luggage. It would mean MUCH easier connections with both GO and VIA, which will benefit 905ers and visitors alike. Once the Blue22 is or isn't built, it'll mean incredibly fast (although expensive) connections to the airport from anywhere in Ontario. If the Downtown Relief Line is ever built, that bulks up the node even more.
As you can imagine, I could rant about this forever - but I think I've made my point. What are everyone's thought about the intercity bus industry and this specific terminal? Have any especially good bus experiences abroad? I'm here to learn!
unimaginative2, I would reaally, really love to get a hold of that study. Do you have in in PDF or on paper?
