a rider s manual your comprehensive guide to the new viva rapidway service

Transcription

1 a rider s manual your comprehensive guide to the new viva rapidway service 1

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3 contents Section 1: welcome...3 Section 2: changes to the street...4 Section 3: how to viva...7 Section 4: new stations...13 Section 5: bayview towers...16 Section 6: frequently asked questions...18 Section 7: just the beginning

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5 Section 1: welcome we re moving rapidly into the future. When it comes to the evolution of transit in York Region, you don t have to look far. The first rapidway along the Highway 7 East corridor opened in August It s a transit-supportive environment that moves people in new ways while helping to support growth. Features include wide, pedestrianfriendly boulevards and sleek, modern vivastations. The platforms themselves provide near-level boarding of Viva vehicles, making it easy to get on and off. As if that wasn t enough, the platforms also accommodate two Viva vehicles at a time. The boulevard, lined with trees and other greenery, are just a few of the improvements you will notice in the area. And the greenery is as beneficial to the environment as it is to the eye. We are excited to bring the future of transit to York Region. And deliver on a commitment to help support growth and combat traffic congestion in the area. This effort will go a long way to make our community a more inviting and welcoming place for years to come. 3

6 Section 2: changes to the street we re growing. right along with you. The transformation going on throughout York Region changes how riders, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists will not only view the area in general, but get from A to B more easily and more efficiently. centre lane rapidway This lane is only for Viva to ensure fast, reliable service. centre lane signal The walk button at the centre of the intersection activates the crossing signal. 4 streetscape The wider boulevard and greenery enhances the overall streetscape and helps the environment.

7 dedicated left-turn traffic signal Dedicated left-turn lane and traffic signal allow drivers to make turns without other traffic or pedestrian movements happening. U-turns signals U-turn signals help drivers get to the other side of the road without having to go through congested oncoming traffic. pedestrian crossing Pedestrian signals have a visual countdown and audible tone. cyclists Cyclists have their very own dedicated lane and bike box, a designated area that provides a safe area for cyclists to wait until the light changes. 3

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9 Section 3: how to viva suddenly, middle of the road is cutting edge. Vivastations have moved from the curb to the centre of the road. You will now access Viva from the centre and no longer curbside. Viva vehicles will travel on a dedicated rapidway from Bayview to Highway 404 where they transition back to mixed traffic, with more rapidways currently under construction. YRT will continue to provide convenient local service with curbside stops that feed into the rapid transit system, enabling customers to get where they need to go. Once you ve safely crossed the street at the lights, using the pedestrian signals, you can proceed to the platform. Our new Viva rapidway service still offers all the things you already love about Viva it uses comfortable, airy blue vehicles and provides frequent service. The new vivastations are loaded with amenities such as a heated wind enclosure, security surveillance and real-time scheduling info on the arrival screens so even your short wait for the next vehicle will be pleasant. how to buy a fare The new fare machines are ergonomically designed with a smaller screen with improved brightness and a faster printer and processor. They now have buttons instead of touch screens to help reduce errors and assist the visually impaired. 7

10 Each platform will have a total of four machines for your convenience: One OneRide machine to issue tickets Two PRESTO machines to tap your card which deducts your fare One vivanow ticket validator to date/time stamp tickets before boarding To board a Viva vehicle, you will need a validated ticket, monthly pass or PRESTO card. You can buy a oneride ticket from the fare machine at any vivastation. Drivers do not take fare payments or validate tickets. You can pay by cash, MasterCard or Visa. OneRide machines don t return change but multiride machines do they also accept bills up to $20 and let you pay by debit card if you prefer. The single ride ticket is called a oneride. It will already have the date and expiry time printed on it, so you don t need to validate it. If you have pre-purchased a book of 10 tickets from a Ticket Agent, you must validate your ticket on the platform in the Fare Payment Area before boarding. YORK University Go station DOWNSVIEW Station PROMENADE Terminal RICHMOND HILL CENTRE Terminal DON MILLS Station FINCH Station NEWMARKET GO station Seven stations/terminals have multiride machines that sell the full range of fares they also accept bills up to $20 and provide change. Viva rapid transit will continue to be part of the YRT/Viva family, so you won t need a separate fare to get around. Also, with the introduction of PRESTO fare cards, transfers between services are even easier. 8

11 York Region Transit/Viva Fares Effective January 1, 2013 Fare Category PRESTO ($) Cash Fare [$] 10 Tickets [$] Monthly Pass [$] 1 ZONE 1 ZONE 2 ZONE 1 ZONE 2 ZONE 1 ZONE 2 ZONE Adult Student 1 Senior/Child Express GTA Weekly Pass Zone Upgrade Ride to GO 0.75 * Express Fare Notes: 1 Full-time high school students (age 13 19) must present a valid student photo ID card with tickets and monthly passes. 2 Seniors (65+) must show proof of age with tickets and monthly passes. Child is elementary school age (6 12). One child (age 1 5) may ride free with an adult. Children under one ride free. Fare Supplements: + In addition to regular fares. * Valid GO Transit fare required. Fare Zones YRT/Viva and Mobility Plus travel across three fare zones. A $1 Zone Upgrade is required when travelling across each zone boundary. Customers using cash fare, 1 Zone Tickets, 1 Zone Monthly Passes, PRESTO or a GTA Weekly Pass must pay the Zone Upgrade if travelling into an additional zone. Customers using 2 Zone cash fare, 2 Zone Tickets, 2 Zone Monthly Passes or PRESTO only pay the Zone Upgrade if travelling into a third zone. The dividing lines for the three zones are located in the Town of Georgina at Ravenshoe Road and in the Town of Richmond Hill at Bloomington Road and just south of King Road. 9

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13 how to use a fare To validate, insert your ticket stripe side down into the vivanow ticket validator located inside the Fare Payment Area on the platform. At curbside vivastations the vivanow ticket validator is located on the side of the fare machine [or beside the fare machine]. The ticket will be validated when it comes out of the ticket validator with a clipped corner and a date and time stamp. You don t need to validate oneride tickets, Ride to GO tickets, Zone Upgrade tickets or monthly passes. Clever vivanow knows this and won t accept them. how to ride Once you have purchased a ticket(s), validated a ticket or tapped your PRESTO card, riders should move into the Fare Paid Zone which is clearly marked with tiles and signage on the platform. If a rider is standing in the Fare Paid Zone, it means that they have paid their fare or have validated their ticket. If someone is in the Fare Paid Zone that has not paid their fare or validated their ticket, they can be fined. There are no fare boxes on Viva so you can board at any door. Always keep your ticket handy. You will need it as proof-of-payment when making a transfer and if a Transit Enforcement Officer asks to see it. The fare is valid for two hours. Are you transferring to Viva? Just ask the driver of your YRT bus [Brampton Transit or TTC bus operating in York Region], for a transfer when boarding and hold on to it as proof-of-payment. 11

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15 Section 4: new stations style, function, and accessibility. all under one roof. Your new rapidway has now launched. You ll find your vivastation at the centre of the road with two platforms one eastbound and one westbound. With innovative design and enhanced amenities, riders can enjoy the many benefits that the new vivastations have to offer. 13

16 welcome to your new vivastation. Tinted glass enhances comfort, reduces glare and improves visibility. PA system has both live and recorded announcements; automatic volume levels adjust based on time of day. Motion-activated heaters provide warmth while the new automated entry doors minimize heat loss. Vivastations can accommodate two vehicles as well as future LRT. 14 Security cameras are installed at key points around the platform. Emergency call button allows for two-way communication and triggers blue pulsing lights. Signage helps direct riders with ease and clarity.

17 Innovative canopy design hangs over the vehicle, ensuring comfortable boarding and disembarking. Riders can easily keep track of arrivals and service announcements in real-time with the message board. Raised tiles along the platform edge provide greater awareness for the visually impaired. Fare payment made easy. Use cash, debit, credit, monthly passes or the new PRESTO card. Designated waiting area is marked for those who have paid their fare and validated their ticket. Glass enclosure helps riders stay dry and sheltered all year round. 15

18 Section 5: bayview towers opening the doors to better connections. Introducing Bayview towers. Modern design features serve both aesthetics and functionality equally. Bayview towers were built to improve accessibility between Bayview Avenue and Highway 7. With a new heated walkway, elevator and enclosed staircase, riders will be able to access one of the busiest stations with ease. The towers will provide total convenience by improving access to transit, retail and residential living in the area for years to come. 16

19 Illuminated v is not just a graphic signpost, it s a beacon of things to come. Convenient elevator offers additional access and mobility. Energy efficient lighting that s as much for safely, as it s carbon footprint. Fully enclosed tower and heated walkway for whatever the elements throw at us. Sunshades and tinted glass provide comfort in the heat of summer. Stairs with dual level hand rails for ease of use. 17

20 Section 6: frequently asked questions What is bus rapid transit? Bus rapid transit provides fast, frequent service on dedicated lanes using buses, which allow more flexibility than rail-based rapid transit services. Bus rapid transit provides a high level of service and is both faster and less costly to build than subway or rail. Why does York Region need rapid transit? More and more people are coming to York Region every day, to live, to work, and to shop. This growth will bring with it many benefits, including more choices for housing, employment and recreation but it also means our roads are getting increasingly congested. World-wide experience shows that the top priority to reduce traffic congestion is to have a great rapid transit network in place, making it easier for people to get around without needing to get in a car. What are rapidways? Rapidways are dedicated lanes in the centre of the road for Viva vehicles only. In response to emergencies, police, fire and ambulance vehicles will be permitted to use the rapidways and cross the median at designated intervals. Stations will be placed every kilometre or so, with passenger access located at signalized intersections. Rapidways will allow Viva vehicles to zip past congested traffic. 18

21 How will traffic patterns change? Rapidways will change how traffic will access properties and streets between intersections. Cars will make safe, easy left turns using the new left turn lanes and U-turn signals at intersections. With our design, there will still be the same number of lanes for regular traffic, plus the rapidways will run down the centre of the road for Viva vehicles. What is the impact of removing mid-block left turns? Our traffic analysis shows that making turns using the new left and u-turn lanes at signalized intersections will be safer and easier than using a centre lane to make left turns mid-block. Will pedestrians be able to easily cross the street? Well-marked crossings, combined with audible signals, will help make it easier and safer for pedestrians to cross at signalized intersections. Will there be bike lanes along the rapid transit corridors? Bike lanes identified in the Regional Cycling Master Plan will be constructed along the rapidways corridors. Cyclists will have a dedicated lane with distinct markings to separate them from vehicle traffic. They will also have bike boxes at signalized intersections that provide a safe area for them to wait until the light changes. 19

22 Section 7: just the beginning onwards We are excited to share the evolution of transit in York Region and invite you to experience these changes in your community first hand. This is just the beginning and there s still more to come. This overall transformation will help to support population and economic growth in York Region for generations to come and make it an even more inviting place to live, shop, work and play. how to contact YRT\Viva YRT\Viva Information Line Local: Toll free: MOVE YRT [ ] Service updates and automated fare, schedule and real-time information are available by phone Press 4 to speak with a Customer Service Representative in our Contact Centre. Contact Centre hours Monday to Friday: 7:00 am 7:00 pm Saturday, Sunday and Holidays: 8:30 am 4:30 pm 20

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24 1 A Metrolinx vivanext Project