Get on Board the Consultation Bus and Help Us (Re)envision the HSR!

Hamilton, ON - Earlier this year the City of Hamilton’s Transit Division began a comprehensive community engagement campaign to (Re)envision the HSR. A survey designed by world-class transportation experts at McMaster University ran until April 2019, receiving tremendous community uptake by current and future targeted customers across the city. The nearly 6,000 responses are being used in the next phase, where we are analyzing the results and engaging with residents through community events, activities and platforms.

As we continue to grow ridership, connecting with Hamilton residents in their communities is crucial. One of the recommendations in the City of Hamilton’s Public Engagement Policy, made by the Hamilton Engagement Committee and endorsed by Council in April 2015, was the creation of a mobile ‘one stop’ engagement bus.

Recognizing that residents are looking for engagement opportunities beyond traditional methods like Public Information Centers (PICs) only, the HSR is taking our public engagement activities on the road!

On Tuesday November 5, 2019, at the end of this year’s Our Future Hamilton Summit, members of the media and community are invited to attend the launch of the HSR’s Consultation Bus where you can take a tour, talk with staff and join the conversation!

Date: Tuesday November 5, 2019
Time: 12 noon – after Our Future Hamilton event concludes
Location: LiUNA Station, 360 James St N, Hamilton, ON

Can’t make the launch event? No problem! Over the winter, the (Re)envision team will be travelling across all wards throughout the city on our new consultation bus, to meet with residents to find out what we could do to make HSR your first choice in transportation.

“By engaging our current and potential customers, we’ll be able to adapt our network to meet the needs of a greater number of Hamiltonians,” said Debbie Dalle Vedove, Director of Transit.  “This will help us to achieve our goal of growing ridership, as we continue to implement our 10-Year Transit Strategy.”

QUICK FACTS:

• A retired HSR bus (from 2004) has been given a second life, allowing for a return on investment beyond it’s expected 12-year lifespan
• Rechargeable battery cells and solar panels enable the bus to operate as a mobile board room without the ignition running, minimizing our carbon footprint
• In-house staff completed the majority of the work, with HSR Maintenance staff doing body repairs, revitalization and interior design / construction
• The refurbishments are expected to enable up to 5 years of additional usage for the consultation bus. (The bus will be used solely for public events and will not run in service.)
• Enthusiastic students from Mohawk College’s Architectural Design program helped to design the interior layout using high-tech 3D scanners. The students focused on ensuring accessibility, adaptability and functionality – and they received course credit for their work on the bus.
• On-board touch screen displays enable participants to explore the HSR’s website, route design tools, trip planners and the HSR’s digital engagement space.
• The consultation bus is outfitted with features like Wi-Fi and colour destination signs, giving HSR staff the ability to test new features and technology, for future possible use in-service.
• The bus is wrapped with an attractive and inviting design, creating a mobile billboard that promotes in-person and digital engagement opportunities.
• Security features have been installed to protect the on-board equipment from theft and unauthorized access.
• Future enhancements may be added, to increase the quality of the experience that the community can have while engaging with the HSR and the City on important initiatives.

For more information on (Re)envision the HSR, please visit hamilton.ca/myhsr