Raise the Hammer

What is the current status of the BLAST network. I have seen B Line and A line bases. Are there L, S and T buses yet?

The reason I ask is this: if Hamilton is committed to providing a rapid transit network, they need to do everything possible to showcase this network as well as provide the necessary infrastructure (like the bus lanes and future plans).

in York Region YRT's ViVA express bus network started with buses with distinctive paint, a separate network map, and upgraded bus shelters with countdown timers. Almost 8 years later the region is constructing "rapidways" with a long term plan to convert to BRT then LRT.

In Brampton, Brampton Transit's express bus network (ZÜM) has buses with distinctive paint, a separate network map, and upgraded bus shelters with countdown timers. They do not have "bus lanes" but rather, queue-jump lanes at both sides of intersections. The long term plan is to convert the network to "rapid transit" including the Hurontario-Main LRT.

In Mississauga, Mississauga Transit's MiExpress express bus network has buses with distinctive paint and a separate network map but no upgrade bus shelters, countdown timers or queue jump lanes. There is a plan for conversion to rapid transit on the Hurontario corridor (as part of the Hurontario-Main LRT) and Dundas corridors but nowhere else.

I think that if the public and councilors are going to take the BLAST network seriously and give it the long term investment commitment that it needs, they need to see the BLAST network in place today, with the separate network maps and the distinct buses and the improved service frequencies. Ideally this should be complemented by the upgraded shelters and countdown timers.

Once the consciousness is built, the investment in the BLAST network (queue jump and bus lanes, rapid transit) is more likely to get public and councilor support, letting the whole network grow.