51 replies to this topic

[Enviro 500]

Hoping to take advantage of the latest Air-Canada / Westjet Seat Sales that are due for expiry TONIGHT AT 11:59PM (March 9th), I have made up my mind and I am planning to visit Halifax between May 2nd (Sunday) - May 6th (Thursday) (possibly extending my stay if I can find someone to split the lodging expenses with me).........just interested to know, would anyone be interested in going to Halifax during the first week of May along with me? As the articulated MCI Classics are quickly being phased out of revenue service, I am looking forward to photographing and riding some before they cease to exist!

As I have previously mentioned, I am hoping to recruit more transit fans to tag along and join the fun, while loweing the costs of lodging for everyone at the same time, which can get expensive if we were to go alone on our own!

For the locals: Any suggestions for decent hotels / motels / hostels strategically located in Halifax, such that we will be staying close by major transit hubs, hopefully served by a handful of routes using articulated buses? Finally, are the MCI Classic articulated buses elikely to remain active for the month of May, based on the latest trends of Metro transit retirements? (and hopefully stay alive for another while through the summer, at least?)

These are my questions for the meantime. To those who may be interested in travelling together, please send me a PM!

Dave

[calamin]

There are many hotels that are by one of our busiest terminals. The only problem is that they are some of the more pricey ones (delta Halifax, delta Barrington, Citadel Halifax, Marriot harbour view).
They are close to the Scotia Square Transit terminal,that is where you would see the most Classic Artics.
During off peak you would see them on the 10 sometimes the 20 and the 80. During Afternoon peak which starts at 3:00pm you will see them on the 10,20,34,59,80,84 ( It all depends on what our dispatcher put them on that day). It is also the place you are more likely to see the DE60lfr’s and Classic artics together. If you confirm when you are down and toss me a e-mail or maybe I will just put it on here. If I am at the garage when they are dispatching buses I will check to see where they go.

[captaintrolley]

Check out some university or college campus residences

[Enviro 500]

captaintrolley, on Mar 9 2010, 05:44 AM, said:

Check out some university or college campus residences

Thanks Captain! That's actually a GREAT idea! I had a look at Dalhousie University's summer residence, it would only cost $44 per night for adults.....and in my case, $29 for students!

http://www.ancillari...sp?mn=1.5.72.84

Dave

[flyer_e901]

BC Transit, on Mar 9 2010, 02:01 AM, said:

As I have previously mentioned, I am hoping to recruit more transit fans to tag along and join the fun, while loweing the costs of lodging for everyone at the same time, which can get expensive if we were to go alone on our own!

It's too bad I can't make it on this trip as my vacation time is booked off for the Dayton ETB charter in late May. Don't forget to ride the Metro Transit ferry over to Dartmouth. It's similar to our SeaBus and it has an open deck up top. Have fun!

[calamin]

May I suggest you stay at Risley hall if you plan on staying on Dalhousie Campus. About 50 feet from the front door is a bus stop on the campus that services 3 routes during the school year (during the time you plan on being here our buses will still be running on school schedule till the end of may). This is starting point for the route 10 where you will probably have the better chance of finding a classic articulate. This is also the best place for a photo opportunity as the route 10 generally has a 5-15 minute layover at this stop. You will also have a chance to catch the DE60LFR at that stop as well. If you need any more info on places to go you can send me a message.

[Enviro 500]

calamin, on Mar 9 2010, 01:49 PM, said:

May I suggest you stay at Risley hall if you plan on staying on Dalhousie Campus. About 50 feet from the front door is a bus stop on the campus that services 3 routes during the school year (during the time you plan on being here our buses will still be running on school schedule till the end of may). This is starting point for the route 10 where you will probably have the better chance of finding a classic articulate. This is also the best place for a photo opportunity as the route 10 generally has a 5-15 minute layover at this stop. You will also have a chance to catch the DE60LFR at that stop as well. If you need any more info on places to go you can send me a message me.

Thanks for the advice, I just made my reservation with Dalhousie University's summer residence at Risley Hall!

Halifax, *HERE I COME*!!!!!!

I will be arriving from Montreal on May 10th at 3pm, hopefully I would be able to catch the ending part of the rush hour transit actions! Certainly looking forward to meeting with the local enthusiasts from the Halifax area!

Being said that..........I will be visiting Montreal between May 1st and May 10th!

Dave

[jlarocque2005]

BC Transit, on Mar 9 2010, 08:02 PM, said:

Thanks for the advice, I just made my reservation with Dalhousie University's summer residence at Risley Hall!

Halifax, *HERE I COME*!!!!!!

I will be arriving from Montreal on May 10th at 3pm, hopefully I would be able to catch the ending part of the rush hour transit actions! Certainly looking forward to meeting with the local enthusiasts from the Halifax area!

Being said that..........I will be visiting Montreal between May 1st and May 10th!

Dave

Incase u didn't know theres no transit service from halifax airport (Unless the new Metro X started service to the airport) as theres nothing on Metro's website. So plan on budgeting for a taxi or hop one of the shuttle buses.

[calamin]

There is not bus out there yet Metro X is still a year or so off, the airporter shuttle bus is 18 dollars and takes you to the major hotels from there you could catch a bus to Dalhousie campus.

[MCW Metrobus]

calamin, on Mar 9 2010, 06:59 PM, said:

There is not bus out there yet Metro X is still a year or so off, the airporter shuttle bus is 18 dollars and takes you to the major hotels from there you could catch a bus to Dalhousie campus.

So basically the same as what we're used to when we go to Edmonton. LOL.

[hfx_chris]

I would suggest staying at the Westin, or the Lord Nelson.


What? I like a nice hotel

[flyer_e901]

hfx_chris, on Mar 10 2010, 10:09 AM, said:

I would suggest staying at the Westin, or the Lord Nelson.


What? I like a nice hotel

A few years ago, I made a bid on priceline.com and got the Marriott Harbourfront for $60 USD a night. Great deal, nice hotel, loved the location!

[Raymond Loves Everybody]

flyer_e901, on Mar 10 2010, 04:48 PM, said:

A few years ago, I made a bid on priceline.com and got the Marriott Harbourfront for $60 USD a night. Great deal, nice hotel, loved the location!

Rob has a good idea! That is a beautiful hotel and has a excellent location to Barrington street, Scotia Square, and Spring Garden Rd. (all of those locations are very busy Bus Routes, and/or Terminals)
That hotel would make your trip here to Halifax very Enjoyable!! Right downtown, nice enough view, and close to Everything Metro Transit including the Ferry over to Dartmoth!!

The only problem with Halifax's Transit System is it does NOT offer any type of Day Pass.
Which is quite a shame, and from my expierences living in Halifax NS, a Day pass would be a Fabulous Option.
I use a Monthly bus pass, but if your only staying a week, I don't think $70 is worth the money.

[hfx_chris]

A day pass, or even a weekly pass would be nice to have too. Or an X number of uses card, say like 20 uses for a discount, something. It's a shame.

[general682002]

BC Transit, on Mar 9 2010, 07:02 PM, said:

Being said that..........I will be visiting Montreal between May 1st and May 10th!

Dave

Don't want to off rail topic, but you do know the YUL has a Sunday charter in Montreal on May 2nd. Apart from that, enjoy the vacation!

[Raymond Loves Everybody]

hfx_chris, on Mar 13 2010, 12:52 AM, said:

A day pass, or even a weekly pass would be nice to have too. Or an X number of uses card, say like 20 uses for a discount, something. It's a shame.

Yeah. That is true. You could buy a sheet of tickets. I dont know how they work cause I have never used them, but I know alot of people who do, and the work the same as Faresaver In Vancouver except, you don't get to keep it.
Once you put it in, Its gone and you have to ask for a transfer.

[M.Wright]

Raymond Loves Everybody, on Mar 13 2010, 10:42 AM, said:

Yeah. That is true. You could buy a sheet of tickets. I dont know how they work cause I have never used them, but I know alot of people who do, and the work the same as Faresaver In Vancouver except, you don't get to keep it.
Once you put it in, Its gone and you have to ask for a transfer.

The tickets are a pain, the will only sell them to you in sheets of 20! At least Metro Transit should make them in different sizes so they are a bit more tourist friendly if they won't sell them by individual ticket, like we do in Ottawa. (It is possible here to buy just 1 ticket)

[M. Parsons]

M.Wright, on Mar 30 2010, 06:13 AM, said:

The tickets are a pain, the will only sell them to you in sheets of 20! At least Metro Transit should make them in different sizes so they are a bit more tourist friendly if they won't sell them by individual ticket, like we do in Ottawa. (It is possible here to buy just 1 ticket)

Ottawa is generally the exception to the rule when it comes to those single tickets. 10 tickets would be fine. 20 does seem like quite a few.

[Enviro 500]

M.Wright, on Mar 30 2010, 04:13 AM, said:

The tickets are a pain, the will only sell them to you in sheets of 20! At least Metro Transit should make them in different sizes so they are a bit more tourist friendly if they won't sell them by individual ticket, like we do in Ottawa. (It is possible here to buy just 1 ticket)

Trust me, I can use them ALL easily! When I'm on vacation, I don't look at price tags before making purchases

Dave

[Halifax_Route10]

M.Wright, on Mar 30 2010, 08:13 AM, said:

The tickets are a pain, the will only sell them to you in sheets of 20! At least Metro Transit should make them in different sizes so they are a bit more tourist friendly if they won't sell them by individual ticket, like we do in Ottawa. (It is possible here to buy just 1 ticket)

Just to let you guys know, the tickets are now sold in sheets of 10, not 20. They changed this when they raised the fares last summer; a sheet of 10 tickets costs $18. In comparison, it would cost $22.50 to get the same amount of rides as a cash fare. Far more convenient from a transitfanning standpoint, but not quite as great as a daypass would be.

And, for those of you who don't know, it's worth mentioning that a transfer here is the equivalent of a two-hour unlimited pass to the system. So, make sure you get one when you board!