Durham Region Transit’s overhaul on route numbering
I stumbled upon reading an ad on the local News Advertiser newspaper until I stumbled upon an advertisement for Durham Region Transit. Upon one of changes include the fare increases and most importantly and a great “milestone” to some, the elimination of duplicate route numbers all across the Durham Region. Examples of duplication include 6 White Oaks/Downtown Whitby/Oshawa and 6 Dean. Now these routes will now be considered as the 306 White Oaks/Oshawa Centre and the 406 Dean. The route numbering classes goes as follows:
- 100s class for Pickering
- 200s class for Ajax
- 300s class for Whitby
- 400s class for Oshawa
- 500s class for Clarington
- 900s class for cross-regional routes
It would be also be better if DRT should implement letters to define as “branches”. As you people may have known, Durham Region Transit has suffered many losses to their bottom line since its first inception back in January 2006. The Gas Tax revenue has diverted into the Energy from Waste project and most importantly the rising costs of fuel has many transit agencies finding ways on how to cope with the prices.
The Ontario Human Rights Commission has set out a mandate for all transit agencies in Ontario to announce all transit stops or they would be violating the policy. The TTC was the very first to implement the system and coming this year and until 2009, London Transit (Ontario) will be starting the very identical system but it’s more advanced. The external voice announcements will feature what route the bus is currently running on and where the bus is going to (and in which direction).
I’m not sure if Durham Region Transit will follow the OHRC’s policy on transit stop announcements, but if the system were to be implemented today, people would know where to go and such. This is also very good for people who are visually impaired.
If the whole Durham Region were to go Francophone (as per French Language Services act), announcements should be made in French. Perhaps one of the voices in french from the now defunct radio station CFYZ 1280AM (now known as CFBN) should be able to step in. As for the English ones, these are my preferred candidates:
- Sarah Taylor (the VJ for MuchMusic) voicing the stops in the West division
- Stu Holloway (known for the voiceover on The Olde Hide House of Acton and his tagline, “It’s worth the drive to Acton!”. He is also known on doing the voices for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority’s LINK-train system) voicing the stops in the East division.
- Devon Soltendieck (the VJ for MuchMusic) voicing the stops for the Centre division.
Further details about automated announcements can be founded here or here.
Anyways, that’s what my two cents are. I hope you guys have a wonderful long Canada Day weekend and remember – if you drink, please don’t drive. Arrive alive. Drive Sober. Call a cab, find a designated driver or stay overnight. Taking the bus is also a good option.
