Surprise! Some BRT stations and routes will be semi-operational this fall
Another piece of London’s bus rapid transit network (BRT) has gone from concept to reality.
The first rapid transit station is being assembled along the East London Link corridor at Ontario and King Streets.
Since arriving on Tuesday, the key component in the future BRT Network has been rapidly assembled.
“Over the next few weeks, we’ll be adding fiber, electrical, and other amenities," said Jennie Dann, director of construction and infrastructure services for the City of London.
But why the rush? After all, BRT is a long way from its 2027 completion date.
As it turns out, the city views the new eastbound Ontario at King Station as a test run.
“It is, like we mentioned, kind of the pilot,” shared Ardian Spahiu, the project manager overseeing the installation of all 45 stations.
Jennie Dann is director of construction and infrastructure services for the City of London. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
Spahiu expects as many as a dozen of them will be completed by the end of this year. He estimates each one has a price tag in the neighbourhood of $250,000.
All will have some big city transit amenities, including arrival/departure signage and more seating.
But CTV News London asked a key question yet to be answered — Will the new stations be heated in winter?
Dann says the answer is trending toward “Yes” for some high-passenger volume stops.
“We have future-proofed all of the shelters to be able to accommodate heating. We have identified some along the corridors where there is potentially a longer wait time.”
Spahiu said the new stations will also be equipped with 24/7 security to protect from frequent vandalism seen at existing transit shelters.
“We want to be monitoring these to minimize as much damage as possible," he said.
Earlier, Dann confirmed the BRT downtown loop and a section of bus-only lanes on King Street will be semi-operational this year, using existing buses.
Ardian Spahiu, an acting division manager with the City of London is overseeing the installation of all 45 BRT stations. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
“If you’re wondering when buses will start using this first shelter, we’re targeting the fall to see a bit more transit activity along the east London link corridor.”
But it will be 2027 before London’s new fleet of modern extended Rapid Transit buses are in use along the entire BRT Network.
It will encompass the Downtown Loop, East London Link, and the Wellington Gateway.
The city opted not to build BRT corridors in west and north London.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Israel orders new evacuations in Gaza's last refuge of Rafah as it expands military offensive
Israel ordered new evacuations in Gaza's southern city of Rafah on Saturday, forcing tens of thousands more people to leave as it prepared to expand its military operation deeper into what is considered Gaza’s last refuge.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.