Multi Modal Transit

(TTC Plus) -- Art Bar B 2-3pm moderated by David Pritchard and Madhava Enros

Biological metaphor from Madhava, full ecosystem with other niches than the TTC-proper

TTC used to run ferries to the islands, for a double fare you were on the ferry

David: map mashup to try to integrate the fractured modes of transit, all with their info in different places. Thinking in terms of maps.

Map subway and trains together changes the way you understand the region. 'Hey look, I could get to Georgetown'.

The TTC map limits how people see their space and understand where they can get. GO and TTC can take you a long way that one system can't.

Montreal maps have an inset of how the GO equivalent intersects with the other systems.

Why not include Greyhound as well?

Taxi stand is part of the transport infrastructure too, but very difficult to know where they are without local experience

Cycling should be integrated too, with subway and bike racks

Is there a safe bike rack is a big question. Is there a bike route (official plus the crowdsourced experience of whether the best bike routes)

APIs, Wikis as a way of integrating information from different institutions.

If I'm going to walk, then what can I get to from around the station?


Vancouver system to show that if you were on transit you could shop here, as a method of showing how you would change your habits to become

Virtual City is an online website showing photos of the streetscape along almost every block of the major streets of Toronto.

St Clair: new line has a hop-on off system, a 2 hour transfer.

The St Clair page could tell you what's around the line, what can I buy and visit there. Integrates with the hop-on/off.

This could be way to make local merchants (who didn't like the St Clair Right Of Way) to see this as a good thing.

Managing and updating information is a problem to solve.

Problem with action on these types of plans based on who can, should, is allowed to do this stuff. There's kind of a pioneer spirit to getting this stuff done.

Interface of businesses. The typical business directions, even with the Gladstone, is to promote driving to their location, with limited

Lasiks the business for eyes, use near to subway stations

Why not have info posts/times for the TTC inside businesses, to make the interface between businesses and the TTC system easier

Moving the next bus/train screens inside of locations, so you can keep drinking a coffee or reading your book in comfort rather than waiting in the cold.

Website organised by page per business or per route gives a specific way for businesses to advertise and provide information.

London spider maps show only routes that touch that stop. You can get to these places without changing. EG you can get to these hotels without changing train, useful for out of towners.

Provide a service of providing maps to businesses (saves them money and give a professional looking map) while promoting the TTC and this way of understanding the system.

Stroller parents as an intermodal connection is relevant. Take this kid to daycare and you have to pay again to get back on the same streetcar after a 2 minute stop to drop off junior.

Ways of making the TTC parent friendly, like advice on the strollers that work well, where are kid friendly locations.

Supporting a 'transit lifestyle' has to be intermodal. Integration between craigslist/real estate sites of info on autoshare, ttc etc so you can chose to live somewhere that works for that lifestyle. EG, there's a frequent bus on Dufferin which is nearly as good a subway. Some way of sharing this info is important, perhaps we have to do it as real estate agents won't be open with this stuff.

On Star is doing this stuff in cars - why isn't this stuff being done for transit?

A question of whether any of this is relevant to people from the burbs. It seems to depend on a certain amount of availability and comfort with the TTC. It does seem that there are enough people in the transit dense areas that could benefit from a better understanding of how they can use and interact with the TTC.


TTC feel that the kiss-and-ride suburban model is very successful. Questions come up about whether a large surface parking lot is an efficient use of land. Every time you open a lot it will fill, but there needs to be a long term plan for using that land for higher/better purposes.

David sees information as a key factor in making the switch to using transit. Making the switch is not obvious, what behaviours need to change. Helping people understanding strategies that make transit work are important (maybe you need to shop here and remember that taking taxis once in a while is a great strategy).

Personal experience with the fact that TTC + taxi can be as costs effective as a car (with huge expenses for GTA insurance etc).

The equations of public transit plus strategy are interesting. Collecting people's stories on how they make this work.

Moving the Economy hub at the Ex station. The GO and TTC meet up, with bikeracks and a taxi phone. Wifi zone. Protected bike racks. The idea is put the modes of transport together and make the info bout it accesible.

Scheduling issues are relevant. The TTC can be fine if you have a leeway, but if your schedule is tight then transit gets less relevant.

Reliability is a huge issue. Knowing how much time you have to leave in advance of your arrival time is important. Drivers do this all the time and have good information to decide how to allocate their time.

Problems with getting to a station and no bike space or arriving at finch by car to connect to subway and there's no spot. Maybe there needs to be a way to book ahead or at least find out ahead. Pearson airport computerised parking system tells you which way to drive for the nearest parking lot.

Frequency is important. once you see FS (Frequent Service) on a give route you don't need to worry. It's outside the FS times that information gets really important.

Question about how how interested (and when) people are with the 'next bus' system that gives realtime type info.

reference:
www.davidpritchard.org/maps/tortransit.html