NEWS RELEASE: Halifax Streetcar Conglomerate congratulates HRM, ATU on deal

As Halifax's transit strike approaches its end, 'renegade' streetcar operator postpones beginning.

The Halifax Streetcar Conglomerate announced late Sunday that it would delay its introduction of light-rail transit on Monday in order to allow an orderly resumption of service by Metro Transit.

"I congratulate the Amalgamated Transit Union local 508 for its tenacity in dealing with Metro transit," said HSC CEO Gord McCord after both battling parties endorsed a tentative agreement reached after a five-week strike. "As a businessman with an appreciation of the cost of labour, I also congratulate management at HRM for its efforts to contain costs."

Given the sudden turn in conditions facing Halifax commuters this week, the HSC has decided to postpone Monday's introduction of streetcar service on routes 7, 20 and 80.

"At such a sensitive time, with ratification by labour and politicians just hours away, this is obviously not a prudent time to offer citizens a new transit modality that could disrupt the delicate balance that's been reached," said HSC Manager of Rolling Stock, T. Richard Astley.

"So, for now, we will focus our efforts on beginning discussions with Metro Transit or other interested parties about how we can integrate bus and streetcar service side-by-side or in some other complementary manner," said Astley. "We're not giving you up, and we're sorry if we've let you down. But please don't conclude that we've run around and deserted you. As I said previously, we will not do that. We're on rails."

This delay in launch plans could end up meaning more service will be available at a future launch date, as more track is finalized and more of Toronto's surplus 'Red Rocket' CLRV trams arrive and are refurbished.

"The dream is still alive, Halifax," said CEO McCord. "Steel wheels will roll again in this city. If not this Monday, then some Monday in the future."

- 30 -

For further information, please contact:

T. Richard Astley
Manager, Rolling Stock, HSC
985-655-2500

News release: TRANSIT STRIKE RELIEF COMING MONDAY AS STREETCARS RETURN TO HALIFAX

TRANSIT STRIKE RELIEF COMING MONDAY AS STREETCARS RETURN TO HALIFAX

Toronto's loss is a win for Halifax as "gravy train" trams arrive to serve commuters on key routes

Streetcar service is returning to Halifax for the first time in more than sixty years. The Halifax Streetcar Conglomerate (HSC) announced Thursday that it is taking delivery of dozens of surplus Toronto "red rocket" trams and will offer service on three routes. On Monday.

"Toronto Mayor Rob Ford lost some friends when he revealed that ending the 'Gravy Train' meant swapping his city's future from light rail to subways," said HSC CEO Gord McCord. "The disposal of Toronto's CLRV fleet and the dismissal of the TTC's General Manager have coincided with the Metro Transit strike to create a perfect storm for a city all too familiar with storms. We are proud to be taking Halifax into the future with a transit modality that served it so well in the past."

Thirty-five surplus tram cars, made in Thunder Bay, Ontario for the TTC, are arriving this week at the Ceres container terminal for the launch of Halifax streetcar service on what Metro Transit has traditionally called routes 7, 20 and 80.

Though track construction and overhead wiring went surprisingly unnoticed by some residents, an HSC manager is confident Haligonians will appreciate the difference made by the privately-funded startup.

"Riders feel hurt by the labour dispute, but we're not about to give the riders up," said HSC Manager of Rolling Stock, T. Richard Astley. "We're never going to let you down. Will we run around and desert you? We will not. Our trams are on rails."

HSC has committed to a five year plan with a goal of profitability at the end of year four. Fares for this premium service will be $4. Discount fares will not be available at launch time, but could be considered in the future.

Steel wheels will roll again in Halifax. On Monday.

- 30 -

For further information, please contact:

T. Richard Astley
Manager, Rolling Stock, HSC
985-655-2500
renegadestreetcars.blogspot.com

IN: Transportation, Labour, Atlantic

Video: Time for streetcars in Halifax

Patrick Klassen (MPlan) lays out the case for streetcars in Halifax in this YouTube video. Patrick is not compensated by HSC and this should not be considered an endorsement by him.





As you see, Mr. Klassen explains that Halifax is a great place for streetcars. We agree. You'll see the difference trams make in this city.

On Monday.

The case for streetcars in Halifax

Our consortium was as doubtful as anyone else about the potential for modern urban streetcars in Halifax, until about five years ago. A breakthrough moment came with the publication of this scholarly presentation in 2009. Communities and Residents for Sustainable Transportation (CREST), a group of Nova Scotians living and working in the Halifax Regional Municipality, presented this as senior thesis project in partial fulfillment of the Masters of Planning Program at Dalhousie University.

See for yourself why streetcars are going to change the face of Halifax. On Monday.

An Investigation Into The Potential Of Modern Streetcars In Halifax Nova Scotia

View more documents from CREST Halifax

Streetcars coming to Halifax on Monday

After a much-publicized debacle involving a supposed private bus operator pledging to bring five buses to HRM to shuttle passengers hourly between Sackville and downtown Halifax, we are pleased to announce that a speedier, more environmentally friendly alternative for commuters will be arriving to fill the gap on Monday: STREETCARS.

Halifax has a rich history of streetcars, with trams rolling up and down our mighty hills in decades gone by. A conspiracy of factors led by the Detroit auto makers led to the untimely destruction of the rolling stock and its shameful replacement with diesel buses.

That era is over: Streetcars are coming back. On Monday.

You've no doubt noticed the ambitious construction projects under way around Halifax in recent years, and especially over the past month. Roads have been torn up, rails have been laid, and a thin layer of asphalt over top. It's all been in preparation for this.

A consortium of developers (anonymous, of course) has anticipated the current crisis and is ready, willing and able to offer the alternative Halifax has been waiting for. Short of an elevated monorail system (in development for 2018), streetcars are the ultimate solution to Halifax's commuter troubles. Now is the time. This is the place.

Streetcars carry more passengers than buses. They can go faster in straightaways than buses. They produce no fumes. Drivers are not required to turn -- it's simple stop and go. We've been able to train a shadow staff of operators (not "drivers", ew) and are ready to roll out. On Monday.

Fare and route information will be posted shortly.

We're not asking for your feedback, but you're welcome to leave some. Frankly, we know you want this, and we're ready to deliver.

This is not about scabs. This not about union-breaking. This is not about embarrassing the city. And this is not about views from Citadel Hill. This is about bringing a service people need and want in a time of need and want.

Monday.

Streetcars.

Halifax.

Infrastructure and Corporate Governance

Investors from Canada, the USA and an Eastern European nation that wishes not to be named are gathering to give Halifax its first tram-car system since 1948.

Negotiations with Emera for access to overhead power lines proved unsuccessful, so we have partnered with an alternate provider who shall deliver green, reliable electricity to power our CLRV cars through a network of alternating current overhead lines (OL) that, in future, could accomodate trolleybuses or hovercraft.

Many thanks to the unionized steelworkers who helped us lay down the track network over the past year. The economic downturn gave us an unprecedented opportunity to employ some of Atlantic Canada's finest metal-forging professionals at a terrific price. We're sure they're having second thoughts now that the network will be used to provide an alternate service to that provided by their brothers and sisters in the labour movement, but their hard work is appreciated.

The Halifax Streetcar Conglomerate (HSC) also extends its gratitude to the City of Halifax, particularly Public Works. The construction of the sub-asphalt rail network would have been utterly impossible had the road surface been entirely intact. As much as drivers of old-fashioned automobiles don't like potholes, they make tearing up the street for track installation as effortless as a pitbull tearing through a piece of store-brand paper towel soaked in warm orange juice. Without the City's cooperation, this would not have been possible.

Thanks also go out to Local 508 of the Amalgamated Transit Union. *wink* Say no more. We won't say if you won't.

Fares

As the Halifax Streetcar will be considered a premium service during the Metro Transit strike, we will accordingly be charging a premium fare.

• Standard passenger fare will be $4. Change is not provided.
• Transfers are not provided.
• Passes are not available.
• Tickets are not available.
• Tokens are not available.
• $4 cash.
• NO DIMES, NICKELS or PENNIES. This is a classy operation.

Only service animals are allowed on the new trams, as we're trying to ensure a comfortable ride for all. This includes ferrets, rats, raccoons and teacup pugs.

As Halifax is a Scent Free City(tm), please do not smell bad.

Persons with disabilities will receive priority seating: please make room for those who need it.

Beyond that, please observe common sense.

Routes and Schedules

Starting Monday, we will be serving the following routes as close to Metro Transit's original schedule as possible. GoTime information not be available, which is no less useful than it usually is.

• Route 1: Spring Garden
• Route 7: Robie
• Route 80: Sackville

As track construction continues, we will update the schedules.

Of course, when the full corporate launches, you will have point-and-click access to the latest routes and schedules. Our CLRV fleet will be equipped with GPS tracking to ensure accurate positioning and up-to-the-minute arrival times.

Our rolling stock

You've probably seen national media coverage of Toronto's transit troubles: A mayor who loves subways, and a transit GM who loves streetcars. Toronto mayor Rob Ford came to power pledging to do away with the gravy train. That gravy train is the streetcar, and Toronto's loss is Halifax's gain.

At the same time, Toronto has committed to buying a fleet of new streetcars from Bombardier. They are due to arrive in 2013, leaving the city with a surplus stock of CLRV cars.

The Halifax Streetcar Conglomerate (HSC) is acquiring 35 surplus CLRV units to start, with an option for another 40 as ridership increases. They are arriving by railcar at the Ceres terminal this week.

Visitors to Toronto will recognize these as the "Red Rocket" streetcars. Due to the time constraints involved in our startup, we will not have them repainted for now, and the rollsigns will still display Toronto destinations, though route numbers will match.

A Wikipedia article on the CLRV (Canadian Light Rail Vehicle) will fill you in on the technical specifications of our fleet.

Each CLRV accomodates 42 passengers sitting, 132 standing. The maximum speed is 110 km/h, though ours will never go that fast, for obvious reasons.

Toronto has its "Red Rocket" -- what should we call the new Halifax streetcars? We welcome your comments below.