GO Transit to Niagara!!!!

[terryg1]

There is a new talkgroup on GO Transit's system. Try 153 on your scanner. They are talking about new towers in Niagara and encryption.

Very interesting to listen to.

[radioman253]

Did they mention whom the encrypted TG's would used by?
I can see encryption for the GO security guys as they already use Mike or 10-4, but bus drivers? ...

[EJB]

I havent heard them talk encryption yet but it sounds like they are working on signal strength.

They are using various transmitter levels (wattage) off the Waterdown tower in the Grimsby area along the rail lines (CP?)

Looks like the original poster secured a 'find.' The database thanks you.

[EJB]

Update till about 30 min ago (I stopped scanning) they mentioned they would test along the tracks to Niagara Falls.
On the way back they were gonna test along the QEW for the planned bus route.

Next testing mentioned K/W.

E

[Doug093]

So forgive me if I'm wrong, but if they're testing signal strength in the area does that not indicate they would be looking at starting rail service into Niagara? I recalled them talking about doing that a long time ago, but didn't think anything came of it.

[slicerwizard]

And one of them just gave out RSSI readings on the wrong talkgroup. It's got the drivers scratching their heads...

[Saint]

I'll leave my 396t scanner and arc396pro software running to see if I log any traffic on the Go Transit System, I'm in Fort Erie so I hope to hear something.
Steve

[EJB]

Originally Posted by Doug093

So forgive me if I'm wrong, but if they're testing signal strength in the area does that not indicate they would be looking at starting rail service into Niagara? I recalled them talking about doing that a long time ago, but didn't think anything came of it.

They said back in 2004 that they were gonna expand rail service to the Falls, hence the testing

[WZ1]

Yeah its pretty funny them giving out the readings on the lake-shore east talk-group..

[Saint]

I think this was the last meeting they had on the subject ?.
Steve

http://www.cliftonhill.com/falls_blo...sit-extension/

[WZ1]

From what my friend at GO tells me the plans are to put a new GO station at "Fifty" road right on the line between Niagara and Hamilton/Stoney Creek city limits.

[homerjay]

I also recall reading in the Spec earlier this year that GO also has plans to bring trains up the CP Hamilton Sub on through Smithville and into Welland........I dont recall wether or not it was frequent service or maybe 2 in the am and 2 in the pm type of thing. Possibly more to look forward to.

[terryg1]

Originally Posted by slicerwizard

And one of them just gave out RSSI readings on the wrong talkgroup. It's got the drivers scratching their heads...

The one tech that could speak english said they are probably walking over the repeater input in Oshawa. I heard them going through one of the bus talkgroups too. He said the towers in Waterdown and Uxbridge are the same frequencies. That's probably why that is happening.

It sounds like the system is split into four zones (as they read them off)

Simulcast
Waterdown (reuse frequncies)
Uxbridge (reuse frequncies)
Hillsburgh

I heard them mention a tower would need be up before spring if there wasnt good coverage because train service needed to start. It sounds like they are going to start running trains or buses down there in the Spring! I also heard Very cool!

[terryg1]

I also heard the following stations:
- Grimsby Bus at Casablanca off the QEW
- St. Catharines VIA station
- Niagara Falls VIA station
- One of them said we can test the Brock location later (I think this is Brock University????)

[EJB]

Would Brock be on the way to Welland?
I have heard that Welland wants in for GO service as well.
Maybe there is going to be a tower built out that way?

[Saint]

Originally Posted by EJB

Would Brock be on the way to Welland?
I have heard that Welland wants in for GO service as well.
Maybe there is going to be a tower built out that way?

There is a Brock University in Welland and St. Catharines
Steve

[slicerwizard]

Originally Posted by terryg1

The one tech that could speak english said they are probably walking over the repeater input in Oshawa. I heard them going through one of the bus talkgroups too. He said the towers in Waterdown and Uxbridge are the same frequencies. That's probably why that is happening.

It doesn't explain why they would be interfering with Oshawa - that's one of the simulcast sites. If they were using Waterdown (which makes sense), then yes, the Uxbridge site could've heard them as well if they were on the south side of the lake. Their reuse of frequencies is less than ideal; if they plan to run down there, they have to stop the Waterdown/Uxbridge sharing. It doesn't matter if they put another tower to work, they still have to lose the shared frequencies.

It sounds like the system is split into four zones (as they read them off)

Simulcast
Waterdown (reuse frequncies)
Uxbridge (reuse frequncies)
Hillsburgh

Just like this two year old map?

http://home.ica.net/~phoenix/wap/GO%...5%20System.JPG

[exkalibur]

Before we start assuming they are going to build down into Niagara (which they are obvioulsy planning for)...They are probably getting the system all in order, so that in case in the future when they expand into Niagara (which I really do see them doing - think of the tourist $$ to/from Niagara Falls), they're all set and ready to go.

That said, think the the benifits for GO Transit. Brock University would get more students from the Golden Horseshoe that don't drive, St. Catharines could be a bedroom community for Toronto for those who don't drive, Niagara Falls (especially the Casino) would become a "same day" trip for lots of people in the Toronto/Mississauga/Oakville/Burlington/Hamilton area as now you'd have frequent trips, not just a few busses (that are fairly expensive) every day. Communities like Port Colborne which have a HUGE tourist draw in the summer would now be accessible by cheap transit (at least as far as St. Catharines), instead of taking the Greyhound which is $52 return.

Personally speaking, I really do hope GO starts running frequent service down to at least St. Catharines. It really isn't THAT much further past Hamilton, and I'm sure the extra ridership they'd pick up would be more than worth their $$$. If they built a tower in Fonthill (where the Fleetnet tower is), they'd have seamless coverage between the Waterdown site and Niagara.

[EJB]

Mike: It was mentioned back in 2004 that they were gonna expand into Niagara with a line to Welland (not sure bus or rail) wanting a piece of the GO action.
I dont have sources other than a good memory.

[exkalibur]

They're certainly taking their time! If it was a rail line, I could see it taking that long to secure running rights, agreements and all that jazz (not to mention building stations). But if we're just talking bus service, to run a bus down to the Welland Bus Terminal wouldn't take much more planning aside from figuring out a route and putting in a station collector. The current Greyhound route goes from Toronto to St. Catharines to Niagara Falls to Welland, then finally to Port Colborne. Because you can pay your fare on the bus itself, they wouldn't need station attendants except at the busy locations such as St. Catharines.

Then again, GO IS a government operation...lord knows how long it takes them to get anything done!!