Brampton just had its annual service plan open house, where they present the plans for September route changes.
The Queen Street Zum route has a number: 501. That's right, 501 Queen (familiar?). It will run every 15 minutes all day, every day between Downtown Brampton and York University, with a rush hour branch also running every 15 minutes to York University express via Highway 407 (much like the 77A). Unfortunately, it looks like (unless things change) there will be overlap between Zum and Viva Orange, and that BT's route will not go to the subway at Downsview Station.
The Zum buses will have some advancements (though they are just high-end New Flyer 40-foot buses right now), like more comfortable seating. Front-door only boarding with conventional fare payment. All the new stops will have fancy shelters with real-time displays though.
The current Route 1 will be extended to Highway 50 (with some reduction in service); Route 77 will no longer go to Bramalea.
They are building a new Bramalea terminal at the old civic centre across from the Regional offices, so a bit longer of a walk. The new terminal will be nicer than the old one though, with proper indoor waiting area.
The boards are here, but the PDF is needlessly huge:
http://www.brampton.ca/en/residents/transit/Documents/2010_Proposal_BoardsV3.pdf
All of the core/through routes will get half-hourly service minimum at all times now; the 40 and 45 minute headways evenings and Sundays are gone from routes 3, 4, 7, 12, 14, 15, 18, 29, 30. Most of the time on route 23. Pretty much the only all-day routes with lousy schedules now are the minor collectors like the 8, 9, 21, 26, 31.
Rush hour improvements to 5, 14, 23, 29, 30, 31, 51.
For the most part, the changes are good. I am mostly disappointed with the lack of coordination on Highway 7 and YRT/Viva.
And why is Brampton (and Oakville) the only transit systems in the GTA committed to service improvements? This year we have seen York, GO, TTC and even Mississauga cut service by various degrees. MT did start the 107, but that only runs rush hours. Brampton's airport express will run 7 days a week in September.
I wonder if GO will start cutting back its Brampton local buses, as BT has been taking over their turf, like York U, Humber College, Airport, for a lower fare (with free transfer!) and higher service level.
