Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2004 09:09:30 -0500 (EST)
From: Ottawa Transit Riders Association 
To: otra-discuss@flora.org
Subject: Ottawa Transit Bulletin - February 2004
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                          O t t a w a
                          T r a n s i t
                          B u l l e t i n
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                          F e b r u a r y   2 0 0 4
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==>  Notes before the News

Welcome to the January issue of OTB, issued 4 February 2004.

*** Next general schedule changes ***
  * OC:  18 April 2004 (http://www.octranspo.com)
  * STO: 28 March 2004 (http://www.sto.ca)

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==>  In this issue (in order) ...

   * Correction on last issue
   * Winterlude 2004 - no free Sno-Bus
   * TransPlan 2004
   * City may cut transit facilities funding
   * Transit attacks put spotlight on Safety and Security
   * OttawaStart Transit Guide
   * Sightings and Mysteries
   * The (bus door) hits keep coming...
   * Contact us

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Thanks again:
-------------
To those whose contributions, encouragement and feedback help make this
issue of OTB possible.

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==>  Correction on last issue

In the Letter in the January 2004 issue (The hits keep coming...),
the reference to Beverley Markle's article should have indicated this
appeared in the August 2003 issue, rather than July 2003.

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==>  Winterlude 2004 - no free Sno-Bus

Ottawa's Winterlude, which takes place the first three weekends of
February, will be without a free shuttle bus this year.

Sno-Bus, the shuttle around Winterlude sites, will reportedly cost
$2.50 for an all-day adult pass; children would still have free trips.

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==>  TransPlan 2004

The annual TransPlan process should soon be underway, although the
current City budget exercise may complicate matters this year in
terms of service levels. There is no current word on proposals, and
this may be determined by the city budget process under way.

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==>  City may cut transit facilities funding

A City of Ottawa report (Capital Standards Review for Public Works
Infrastructure - Interim Report) has called for revisiting transit
amenities such as heating at bus shelters, information for passengers,
and physical pedestrian connections. There is also a recommendation
that new bus transitway sections not designated for future light rail
use be designed to preclude conversion to light rail. Ramps may be
used instead of elevators at stations.

On the roads, there could be more features such as roundabouts (traffic
circles or rotaries), or more reversible lanes such as on the Champlain
Bridge. There could be fewer sidewalks in the future, and suggestions
that many sidewalks may not be replaced if these are "non-warranted".

The report was to be considered at the city's Transit Committee on
4th February, but would still need to go through City Council.

Report and details available at: http://www.ottawa.ca

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==>  Transit attacks put spotlight on Safety and Security

Transit security became big news last month after attacks on Ottawa's
transit system were widely publicised. The controversy raged in earnest when
OC Transpo officials announced that riders use the system at their own risk.
This sparked enough public outrage that forced improved presence of
police and security patrols on the transit system.

A time line of some of the recent security-related events:

- November: A youth was attacked by a gang on a route 85 bus. A bystander
who tried to intervene was also injured. Significant media coverage of
this crime began in late December.

- early January: Another passenger was robbed and assaulted on a bus
to the South Keys area.

- 7 January 2004: Ottawa Police announced plans to address transit
security issues. First, patrols were added to routes 85 and 97, while
announcing less tolerance for law-breaking and improved readiness for
police to answer driver calls for assistance. The police will also
work on a longer-term security approach with OC Transpo, using such
approaches as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).

- 16 January 2004: A total of 7 suspects were under arrest at this point,
charged in connection with a gang robbery at Fallowfield station on 4th
January 2004.

- 16 January 2004: Money was taken from a bank machine at Hurdman station
in an early morning robbery (around 4am, when activity is negligible).
However, reports indicate a bus driver spotted the incident and was able to
provide details to police.

- 21 January 2004: Ottawa Police reported that two men were charged with
assault at a transit station on Carling Avenue. Other reports indicate
there have been 7 peace bans and 12 trespass bans issued by transit
security in the wake of incidents since late November.

A "crime analysis" of the transit system is in progress, while police
and security patrols are more in evidence along the transit system.

In the meantime, police issued the following advice:

- Incidents should be reported immediately, so that the police and
security response can be more effective.

- Parents must take responsibility for their children. The provincial
Parental Responsibility Act makes parents of young offenders (under 18)
financially liable for any losses or damages caused by their children.
Also, parents who allow children under 16 to "loiter in a public place
between midnight and 6 a.m." could also be fined under curfew provisions of
the Child and Family Services Act.

Ottawa Police: http://www.ottawapolice.ca/

Women's Initiatives for Safer Environment (WISE) has conducted safety
audits at transit facilities for years. Numerous safety features and
deficiencies have been identified through these audits. WISE recently
called for more security patrols at stations.

It was unfortunate that security issues were not addressed in earnest
following significant warning signs, especially during last year e.g. the
high-profile assault situation at South Keys, the major arson at Tunney's
Pasture.

Statistically, the transit system is relatively safe, although last
year's reported 31 swarming incidents and 95 assaults (44 of these
involving transit operators) are still serious events when they occur.

The current crackdown will help resolve some of the immediate perception
problems surrounding transit safety. But in the longer term, with the
City facing serious budget challenges, what will the longer term
security picture look like?

A mix of uniformed and plainclothes officers could be considered. This
has been the practice in Toronto's transit network.

But there is also a need for transit management to become familiar with
the realities on the routes. Staff should ride the systems they are
running. A notable example is David Gunn who while general manager at
Toronto's transit system regularly rode the buses, streetcars and subways.
He is currently chief executive of U.S. passenger railroad Amtrak, and
continues this practice by riding Amtrak's trains.

References:

Ottawa Police Service - News and Speeches    
http://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/serving_ottawa/media_room/corp_news.cfm?nr_id=1979

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==>  OttawaStart Transit Guide

OttawaStart recently launched its Transit Guide page:

http://ottawastart.com/transit.shtml

The page includes how-to guides on using transit, with links to transit
agencies and interest groups.

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==>  Sightings and Mysteries

1. Mystery: From a reliable mystery-spotted: "Is it really true that the
buses are washed every day? That the grime I see on the bus at 3pm is
the result of just that days' dirt?"

2. Sighting: Another reliable sighting-spotter reports situations where
bus drivers are using cellphones while driving. Based on statements from
OC Transpo customer representatives, drivers are prohibited by policy from
using cellphones or other electronic devices such as radios while driving
a bus. Such devices create a distraction factor which can interfere with
the ability to react to road situations. One report highlights concerns of
road cellphone use: http://www.transport2000.ca/english/cellphones.htm

3. Sighting: The same sighting-spotter also reports some good driver news:
"On Tuesday January 20 at approximately 1330 I was waiting for a transfer at
Lincoln Station. I observed an operator wiping clean the headlights, turn
signal lights and window over the side route number on a Route 178 bus that
was parked (out of service) on the north side of the station...  What a
pleasant surprise it was to observe an operator maximize the safe operation of
the bus and help ensure that customers can easily see the route sign, by
taking a few minutes to clean the dirt off." A good deed indeed.

4. Sighting: Tunney's Pasture update - the south side elevator remained
non-functional as February began. It has been shut off since October.

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==>  The (bus door) hits keep coming...

An update on the case of new bus doors vs. passengers:

OTB recently heard reports of at least 2 people proceeding with legal
action against the City regarding incidents with new bus doors.

OTB will try to have further updates on the situation, noting that
there are apparent legal proceedings to consider.

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==>  Contact us

OTB welcomes letters and articles on transit topics - please e-mail them
to: otra-info@flora.org - please note that typical editorial and content
type rules may apply to letters or other contributions.

Note that issues of OTB are available in various ways, including:

OTRA website (includes back issues):
http://otra.sandelman.ottawa.on.ca/otb/index.html

OttawaStart Traffic page - see the Ottawa Transit Bulletin link:
http://www.ottawastart.com/traffic.shtml

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Ottawa Transit Bulletin (OTB) is a monthly electronic publication produced
by the Ottawa Transit Riders Association (OTRA).

It is primarily available in e-mail format. Distribution of this bulletin
to those interested in Ottawa Transit is encouraged, but please 1) leave
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