Macpass Scam

Post by Steve Mackie
So they bridge gets rid of the tokens and returns the $30 deposit to Macpass
users. Great. BUT, now they are charging a $1.00 per month "account
maintenance fee."
What a pile of shit.
Steve

I understand that they only charge the fee, if you top up your MacPass
with cash or electronic payment. If you have automatic topup with a
credit card, there is no fee.

lucretia borgia

2008-03-27 11:08:55 UTC

On Thu, 27 Mar 2008 02:55:26 -0700 (PDT), Hfx_hooligan

Post by Hfx_hooligan

I understand that they only charge the fee, if you top up your MacPass
with cash or electronic payment. If you have automatic topup with a
credit card, there is no fee.

True. When the changeover came I also had to call to advise a change
in my credit card number. I asked 'so everything will go on as per
usual over the last X years' she told me yes, the only difference
being my $30 deposit was being credited to me.

I suppose you could look at it that they have retained $30 without
paying interest all these years but it was always fifty times more
convenient anyway and one of my kids gave it to me for part of a
birthday present.

2008-03-27 11:24:48 UTC

Post by lucretia borgia
On Thu, 27 Mar 2008 02:55:26 -0700 (PDT), Hfx_hooligan

Post by Hfx_hooligan

I understand that they only charge the fee, if you top up your MacPass
with cash or electronic payment. If you have automatic topup with a
credit card, there is no fee.

True. When the changeover came I also had to call to advise a change
in my credit card number. I asked 'so everything will go on as per
usual over the last X years' she told me yes, the only difference
being my $30 deposit was being credited to me.
I suppose you could look at it that they have retained $30 without
paying interest all these years but it was always fifty times more
convenient anyway and one of my kids gave it to me for part of a
birthday present.

I've thought about getting one for when we rent cars, and it can also
be used on the Cobequid Pass I think, and Confederation Bridge.

To have it automatically replenished would be stupid, due to the
infrequent use it would get. I don't want to have a lot of funds on it
when I don't use it. Beyond stupid would be to pay $12 a year
'administration fee' to manually replenish it when we need to.

So I doubt we'll bother!

lucretia borgia

2008-03-27 13:10:46 UTC

Post by KD
I've thought about getting one for when we rent cars, and it can also
be used on the Cobequid Pass I think, and Confederation Bridge.
To have it automatically replenished would be stupid, due to the
infrequent use it would get. I don't want to have a lot of funds on it
when I don't use it. Beyond stupid would be to pay $12 a year
'administration fee' to manually replenish it when we need to.
So I doubt we'll bother!

Just would not be practical for such infrequent use, so probably the
$12 would be for continuing a minimum usage account. I am not sure,
but I don't think I can use mine at Cobequid or Confederation unless
it is specifically activated for same.

2008-03-27 13:15:41 UTC

Yes, you do have to do something special to it to make it work at
those locations. Maybe you register with them individually?

I do have a Macpass that I purchased about ten years ago when I was
working in Dartmouth. I got it for my dad's car, as he often picked me
up. Now my stepmother still has it in her car, I guess the $30 I paid
for it will be going to her account. Oh well. Too bad they don't just
refund the money to the person who purchased it!

lucretia borgia

2008-03-27 13:31:24 UTC

Post by KD
I do have a Macpass that I purchased about ten years ago when I was
working in Dartmouth. I got it for my dad's car, as he often picked me
up. Now my stepmother still has it in her car, I guess the $30 I paid
for it will be going to her account. Oh well. Too bad they don't just
refund the money to the person who purchased it!

Why don't you ask her for the $30, seems fair to me, you gave it to
your father. I offered my refund to my daughter but she refused it
because she had given me that (because I was too Scottish to pay $30)
and because I assisted her with a good downpayment on her house.

In your case though, she really should rush to give it to you, in an
envelope, cash, no ifs ands or buts. Be a devil, ASK !

2008-03-27 13:49:11 UTC

Why don't you ask her for the $30, seems fair to me, you gave it to
your father. I offered my refund to my daughter but she refused it
because she had given me that (because I was too Scottish to pay $30)
and because I assisted her with a good downpayment on her house.
In your case though, she really should rush to give it to you, in an
envelope, cash, no ifs ands or buts. Be a devil, ASK !

That would require me to speak to her, something I just don't do very
much anymore if I can avoid it! :)

lucretia borgia

2008-03-27 14:53:19 UTC

Post by lucretia borgia
In your case though, she really should rush to give it to you, in an
envelope, cash, no ifs ands or buts. Be a devil, ASK !

That would require me to speak to her, something I just don't do very
much anymore if I can avoid it! :)

I can understand that, perhaps get your husband to ask ??

Rick Walker

2008-03-27 21:59:05 UTC

Post by KD
That would require me to speak to her, something I just don't do very
much anymore if I can avoid it! :)

LOL, it sounds to me like 30 bucks well spent if that's the case,
KD! :-)

- Rick

Richard Bonner

2008-04-07 13:45:42 UTC

(Snip)

Post by lucretia borgia
In your case though, she really should rush to give it to you, in an
envelope, cash, no ifs ands or buts. =A0Be a devil, ASK !

That would require me to speak to her, something I just don't do very
much anymore if I can avoid it! :)

*** Just tell her you need the pass because you want to cancel the
account due to the new regulations.

Richard

Hfx_hooligan

2008-03-27 14:18:35 UTC

Yes, you do have to do something special to it to make it work at
those locations. Maybe you register with them individually?

Just stop in at either location and they will register your transpoder
for you, no cost.
Or you can download the forms and fax them in.

PBMJJ

2008-03-27 16:48:08 UTC

Yes, you do have to do something special to it to make it work at
those locations. Maybe you register with them individually?

Just stop in at either location and they will register your transpoder
for you, no cost.
Or you can download the forms and fax them in.

They don't advertise this, but if you register at Cobequid, they take money
as well. They don't withdraw from the 15.00 that HDBC holds. However, they
only charge half of the going rate if you use the pass. Cobequid takes
45.00 at a time as I travel rather frequently, but they only charge @2 per
pass whereas its $4 if you pay cash.

lucretia borgia

2008-03-27 17:42:40 UTC

On Thu, 27 Mar 2008 07:18:35 -0700 (PDT), Hfx_hooligan

Post by Hfx_hooligan

Yes, you do have to do something special to it to make it work at
those locations. Maybe you register with them individually?

Just stop in at either location and they will register your transpoder
for you, no cost.
Or you can download the forms and fax them in.

Thanks, might do that when I go to Dartmouth, I do sometimes go to
Moncton and PEI.

Rick A.

2008-03-27 15:19:21 UTC

Yes, you do have to do something special to it to make it work at
those locations. Maybe you register with them individually?
I do have a Macpass that I purchased about ten years ago when I was
working in Dartmouth. I got it for my dad's car, as he often picked me
up. Now my stepmother still has it in her car, I guess the $30 I paid
for it will be going to her account. Oh well. Too bad they don't just
refund the money to the person who purchased it!

You can setup for the Link online. http://www.straitpass.com/

The Cobequid requires you to stop there and get it setup or mail in an
application. http://www.cobequidpass.com/personal.htm

Brian Smith

2008-03-27 22:53:20 UTC

Post by KD
Yes, you do have to do something special to it to make it work at
those locations. Maybe you register with them individually?

You open an account with each individual operation and they use the
electronic transponder that you have already. You can maintain the lowest
minimum account balance on all of the accounts, thus only tieing up a small
amount of cash. It's well worth it in my opinion, due to the 50% reduction
in the cost of passage on the Cobequid Pass and the reduction on the City
bridges.

Truth be told, you never purchased a MacPass. You simply placed a
deposit down on it, when you picked it up. The deposit is refunded to the
account of the pass.

slider

2008-03-27 10:47:47 UTC

Well,do I have a story for you if you think that's bad.
I enrolled online about three weeks ago.
I authorized auto bank withdrawal when the account reaches 1/3 of the
initial sum that needed to be put on my account,15.00
The first amount comes off my credit card,so of course that happened like it
was supposed to.
Later in the week ,still with 13.80 in my account 15.00 came out of my bank
account.Later that day another 15.00 came out again.
There isn't supposed to be any money taken out until your account reaches
1/3 of the minimum,so that would be 5.00.Then,and only then should they
withdraw 15.00 dollars from my account.
After this,there is still only 1.80 in my account.
I called and spoke to a very helpful gentleman.He asked me to fax him a copy
of my bank statement(the part where the bridge funds came out of)which I
did.He called me back and admitted that although it appears that the money
was deducted,they do not know where it is and they do not have it.I told
them either do I!
The next day another 15.00 deducted from my account.(This is Thursday of
last week)
I called again and he told me that they had a huge glitch I their system and
their enrollment website.
The system is setup to withdraw 15.00 after the account goes below 15.00,not
what their enrollment site says,so there is a big problem.But what happened
to my 45.00?It wasn't gong on my macpass account either?
I was told Thursday afternoon that I would receive a check for 45.00 this
week from the bridge commission and for my troubles they credited my account
15.00,which was kind of them,however I still wonder...where did that 45.00
go in the first place?
What was happening was that the system was taking 15.00 from my account
because my account was at 13.80,but because my account wasn't getting
credited,it kept grabbing another 15.00 .I wonder how many people this is
happening to that doesn't know it.I keep an eye on my account and keep it
balanced,but many people don't.
If you enrolled online within the last few months,check your account for
15.00 withdrawals from the HDBC.
As of today,I didn't receive my 45.00.Maybe today,who knows?

Post by Steve Mackie
So they bridge gets rid of the tokens and returns the $30 deposit to
Macpass users. Great. BUT, now they are charging a $1.00 per month
"account maintenance fee."
What a pile of shit.
Steve

Hfx_hooligan

2008-03-27 11:30:44 UTC

Post by slider
Well,do I have a story for you if you think that's bad.
I enrolled online about three weeks ago.
I authorized auto bank withdrawal when the account reaches 1/3 of the
initial sum that needed to be put on my account,15.00
The first amount comes off my credit card,so of course that happened like it
was supposed to.
Later in the week ,still with 13.80 in my account 15.00 came out of my bank
account.Later that day another 15.00 came out again.
There isn't supposed to be any money taken out until your account reaches
1/3 of the minimum,so that would be 5.00.Then,and only then should they
withdraw 15.00 dollars from my account.
After this,there is still only 1.80 in my account.
I called and spoke to a very helpful gentleman.He asked me to fax him a copy
of my bank statement(the part where the bridge funds came out of)which I
did.He called me back and admitted that although it appears that the money
was deducted,they do not know where it is and they do not have it.I told
them either do I!
The next day another 15.00 deducted from my account.(This is Thursday of
last week)
I called again and he told me that they had a huge glitch I their system and
their enrollment website.
The system is setup to withdraw 15.00 after the account goes below 15.00,not
what their enrollment site says,so there is a big problem.But what happened
to my 45.00?It wasn't gong on my macpass account either?
I was told Thursday afternoon that I would receive a check for 45.00 this
week from the bridge commission and for my troubles they credited my account
15.00,which was kind of them,however I still wonder...where did that 45.00
go in the first place?
What was happening was that the system was taking 15.00 from my account
because my account was at 13.80,but because my account wasn't getting
credited,it kept grabbing another 15.00 .I wonder how many people this is
happening to that doesn't know it.I keep an eye on my account and keep it
balanced,but many people don't.
If you enrolled online within the last few months,check your account for
15.00 withdrawals from the HDBC.
As of today,I didn't receive my 45.00.Maybe today,who knows?

Post by Steve Mackie
So they bridge gets rid of the tokens and returns the $30 deposit to
Macpass users. Great. BUT, now they are charging a $1.00 per month
"account maintenance fee."
What a pile of shit.
Steve- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I once went in to top up with cash. I paid the $40 I think. I had to
go to Halifax , so I crossed the bridge. Coming back, when I went
through the MacPass lane, it flashed " no funds" or some such message.
So when I got home I called office. What had happened is they credited
my deposit to the wrong account, which caused a negative balance on my
macpass. They fixed it right away.

Hfx_hooligan

2008-04-01 10:03:33 UTC

Post by slider
Well,do I have a story for you if you think that's bad.
I enrolled online about three weeks ago.
I authorized auto bank withdrawal when the account reaches 1/3 of the
initial sum that needed to be put on my account,15.00
The first amount comes off my credit card,so of course that happened like it
was supposed to.
Later in the week ,still with 13.80 in my account 15.00 came out of my bank
account.Later that day another 15.00 came out again.
There isn't supposed to be any money taken out until your account reaches
1/3 of the minimum,so that would be 5.00.Then,and only then should they
withdraw 15.00 dollars from my account.
After this,there is still only 1.80 in my account.
I called and spoke to a very helpful gentleman.He asked me to fax him a copy
of my bank statement(the part where the bridge funds came out of)which I
did.He called me back and admitted that although it appears that the money
was deducted,they do not know where it is and they do not have it.I told
them either do I!
The next day another 15.00 deducted from my account.(This is Thursday of
last week)
I called again and he told me that they had a huge glitch I their system and
their enrollment website.
The system is setup to withdraw 15.00 after the account goes below 15.00,not
what their enrollment site says,so there is a big problem.But what happened
to my 45.00?It wasn't gong on mymacpassaccount either?
I was told Thursday afternoon that I would receive a check for 45.00 this
week from the bridge commission and for my troubles they credited my account
15.00,which was kind of them,however I still wonder...where did that 45.00
go in the first place?
What was happening was that the system was taking 15.00 from my account
because my account was at 13.80,but because my account wasn't getting
credited,it kept grabbing another 15.00 .I wonder how many people this is
happening to that doesn't know it.I keep an eye on my account and keep it
balanced,but many people don't.
If you enrolled online within the last few months,check your account for
15.00 withdrawals from the HDBC.
As of today,I didn't receive my 45.00.Maybe today,who knows?

Post by Steve Mackie
So they bridge gets rid of the tokens and returns the $30 deposit to
Macpassusers. Great. BUT, now they are charging a $1.00 per month
"account maintenance fee."
What a pile of shit.
Steve- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Debit error earns 25 people free bridge crossings for a month

http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/Metro/1046827.html

One customer caught up in the glitch, posted a complaint on an
Internet newsgroup.

According to the person's note, his account is set up so that the
commission could take $15 dollars from his account at a time. When his
balance dropped to $5, the commission is authorized take another $15
from his account.

The man called the commission when he noticed that it had taken a
total of $30 from his bank account in two transactions in one day. The
next day, the poster said the commission withdrew another $15.

"I called again and he told me that they had a huge glitch (in) their
system and their enrolment website," the poster said.

So who still believes that reporters don't troll the newsgroup??? They
quoted part of the post almost word for word.

MellowYellow

2008-04-01 10:37:52 UTC

Post by slider
Well,do I have a story for you if you think that's bad.
I enrolled online about three weeks ago.
I authorized auto bank withdrawal when the account reaches 1/3 of the
initial sum that needed to be put on my account,15.00
The first amount comes off my credit card,so of course that happened like it
was supposed to.
Later in the week ,still with 13.80 in my account 15.00 came out of my bank
account.Later that day another 15.00 came out again.
There isn't supposed to be any money taken out until your account reaches
1/3 of the minimum,so that would be 5.00.Then,and only then should they
withdraw 15.00 dollars from my account.
After this,there is still only 1.80 in my account.
I called and spoke to a very helpful gentleman.He asked me to fax him a copy
of my bank statement(the part where the bridge funds came out of)which I
did.He called me back and admitted that although it appears that the money
was deducted,they do not know where it is and they do not have it.I told
them either do I!
The next day another 15.00 deducted from my account.(This is Thursday of
last week)
I called again and he told me that they had a huge glitch I their system and
their enrollment website.
The system is setup to withdraw 15.00 after the account goes below 15.00,not
what their enrollment site says,so there is a big problem.But what happened
to my 45.00?It wasn't gong on mymacpassaccount either?
I was told Thursday afternoon that I would receive a check for 45.00 this
week from the bridge commission and for my troubles they credited my account
15.00,which was kind of them,however I still wonder...where did that 45.00
go in the first place?
What was happening was that the system was taking 15.00 from my account
because my account was at 13.80,but because my account wasn't getting
credited,it kept grabbing another 15.00 .I wonder how many people this is
happening to that doesn't know it.I keep an eye on my account and keep it
balanced,but many people don't.
If you enrolled online within the last few months,check your account for
15.00 withdrawals from the HDBC.
As of today,I didn't receive my 45.00.Maybe today,who knows?

Post by Steve Mackie
So they bridge gets rid of the tokens and returns the $30 deposit to
Macpassusers. Great. BUT, now they are charging a $1.00 per month
"account maintenance fee."
What a pile of shit.
Steve- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Your story's in the news today... http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/Metro/1046827.html

slider

2008-04-01 14:55:24 UTC

yes,I made the news!The reporter called me yesterday for a story about the
incident but I hadn't got home till the evening,so I never did speak to
her.FWIW,the HDBC were very professional and dealt with my problem in a
satisfactory manner.Shameus(sp?),who was the contact that I spoke with at
the HDBC,was very professional and deserves a mention for a job well done.

Post by slider
Well,do I have a story for you if you think that's bad.
I enrolled online about three weeks ago.
I authorized auto bank withdrawal when the account reaches 1/3 of the
initial sum that needed to be put on my account,15.00
The first amount comes off my credit card,so of course that happened like it
was supposed to.
Later in the week ,still with 13.80 in my account 15.00 came out of my bank
account.Later that day another 15.00 came out again.
There isn't supposed to be any money taken out until your account reaches
1/3 of the minimum,so that would be 5.00.Then,and only then should they
withdraw 15.00 dollars from my account.
After this,there is still only 1.80 in my account.
I called and spoke to a very helpful gentleman.He asked me to fax him a copy
of my bank statement(the part where the bridge funds came out of)which I
did.He called me back and admitted that although it appears that the money
was deducted,they do not know where it is and they do not have it.I told
them either do I!
The next day another 15.00 deducted from my account.(This is Thursday of
last week)
I called again and he told me that they had a huge glitch I their system and
their enrollment website.
The system is setup to withdraw 15.00 after the account goes below 15.00,not
what their enrollment site says,so there is a big problem.But what happened
to my 45.00?It wasn't gong on mymacpassaccount either?
I was told Thursday afternoon that I would receive a check for 45.00 this
week from the bridge commission and for my troubles they credited my account
15.00,which was kind of them,however I still wonder...where did that 45.00
go in the first place?
What was happening was that the system was taking 15.00 from my account
because my account was at 13.80,but because my account wasn't getting
credited,it kept grabbing another 15.00 .I wonder how many people this is
happening to that doesn't know it.I keep an eye on my account and keep it
balanced,but many people don't.
If you enrolled online within the last few months,check your account for
15.00 withdrawals from the HDBC.
As of today,I didn't receive my 45.00.Maybe today,who knows?

Post by Steve Mackie
So they bridge gets rid of the tokens and returns the $30 deposit to
Macpassusers. Great. BUT, now they are charging a $1.00 per month
"account maintenance fee."
What a pile of shit.
Steve- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Your story's in the news today...
http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/Metro/1046827.html

G***@NoMacPassForMe.net

2008-03-27 19:21:30 UTC

I insist on sitting in the line and getting change, even if I already have
the change, just to do my part to clog up the bridge. I hear there's a
bunch of folks doing the same in protest. Eventually, if enough people do
it, both lanes of the bridge will be backed up constantly by people
waiting to get change. Make them bring back the tokens.

Post by Steve Mackie
So they bridge gets rid of the tokens and returns the $30 deposit to Macpass
users. Great. BUT, now they are charging a $1.00 per month "account
maintenance fee."

Rick A.

2008-03-27 21:14:11 UTC

Post by G***@NoMacPassForMe.net
I insist on sitting in the line and getting change, even if I already have
the change, just to do my part to clog up the bridge. I hear there's a
bunch of folks doing the same in protest. Eventually, if enough people do
it, both lanes of the bridge will be backed up constantly by people
waiting to get change. Make them bring back the tokens.

Post by Steve Mackie
So they bridge gets rid of the tokens and returns the $30 deposit to Macpass
users. Great. BUT, now they are charging a $1.00 per month "account
maintenance fee."

NP Gramps!

I'll beep to all you "protesters" as I sail thru the tolls in the
MacPass lanes! :-)

My objective in life is to get from A to B in as little time and
hassle as possible,,,,,, and so far so good.

I hate traffic and sitting in it! But thats just me. :-)

Brian Smith

2008-03-27 22:55:51 UTC

Most people aren't that stupid.

HRM Resident

2008-03-27 23:28:58 UTC

Most people aren't that stupid.

I certainly am not. I retired from the rat race last fall, and I now
use the bridge once every month or two, and I never, ever do it in rush
hour traffic. You youngin's can have a go at it for a change. I put in
my 37 years doing it. It's not stupidity. It's "Who cares? What's the
rush?"

Brian Smith

2008-03-27 23:55:37 UTC

I certainly am not. I retired from the rat race last fall, and I now use
the bridge once every month or two, and I never, ever do it in rush hour
traffic. You youngin's can have a go at it for a change. I put in my 37
years doing it. It's not stupidity. It's "Who cares? What's the rush?"

Time is money, places to go and business to take care of, if you want to
take your time, drive around the Basin. Besides, it's nice to not have to
put the window down and have the rain, snow, noise and dirt come into the
vehicle.

Punk

2008-03-28 00:25:29 UTC

Most people aren't that stupid.

They will have to pry my company Macpass from my cold dead hands.
Sometimes the powers that be do get something right.

What do you think of this third crossing bridge or tunnel idea?
It seems kind of weird. If the goal is to reduce congestion why
don't they retire the bridges's debt and get rid of the toll booths.
Let people zip through without stopping them every trip.

Punk

wmd

2008-03-28 00:51:11 UTC

Post by Punk
What do you think of this third crossing bridge or tunnel idea?
It seems kind of weird. If the goal is to reduce congestion why
don't they retire the bridges's debt and get rid of the toll booths.
Let people zip through without stopping them every trip.

The idea of no tolls is interesting. You'd think that, if they
eliminated the booths and made the entire span a four-lane roadway
leading into the Circ on the Dartmouth side, it would ease the PM rush.
I don't know if the elimination of tolls would do anything about the AM
rush, though - the Halifax bottlenecks would still exist.

The idea of a third crossing seems to be a double-edged sword. On the
one hand, we don't currently have the need, but without any reasonable
alternative (e.g. mass transit), the need will probably exist in 10-15
years. OTOH, the "if we build it, they will come" prophecy applies: do
we really want to ease access for vehicular traffic to/from the
peninsula? Seems like it might compound the problem.

One thing is for sure: using current traffic patterns, a third crossing
would probably do wonders, since so much of the traffic originates in
the south end universities and hospitals.

I've also heard the idea of one-way bridges floated: the new bridge
would be entirely one-way in the direction of the rush, and the old
bridge would be one-way in the opposite direction. Another interesting
theory, although I think it would need to go hand-in-hand with the
elimination of toll booths.

wmd

Richard Bonner

2008-04-07 13:52:24 UTC

Post by wmd
The idea of a third crossing seems to be a double-edged sword. On the
one hand, we don't currently have the need, but without any reasonable
alternative (e.g. mass transit), the need will probably exist in 10-15
years. OTOH, the "if we build it, they will come" prophecy applies: do
we really want to ease access for vehicular traffic to/from the
peninsula? Seems like it might compound the problem.

*** I agree. The peninsula is at capacity, as far as traffic now.

Post by wmd
I've also heard the idea of one-way bridges floated: the new bridge
would be entirely one-way in the direction of the rush, and the old
bridge would be one-way in the opposite direction. Another interesting
theory, although I think it would need to go hand-in-hand with the
elimination of toll booths.
wmd

*** That can't be done because of the issue of large trucks on the
MacDonald.

A better method would be three lanes in one direction on the McKay, as
required by the time of day.

Richard

Brian Smith

2008-03-28 07:48:54 UTC

Post by Punk
They will have to pry my company Macpass from my cold dead hands.
Sometimes the powers that be do get something right.

The use of the MacPass has definitely reduced the amount of time one
spends on the bridges.

I find it humorous that when the MacKay Bridge was completed, we (the
public) knew that we would need a third bridge from Woodside to the South
End. Yet here it is almost thirty years later before the powers that be,
have come to the conclusion that we need a third bridge. I say bridge
because a tunnel is not the answer. Also, utilizing the railway cut to the
best advantage would mean having a raised roadbed well below the surrounding
grade and running the length of the cut. This would increase the volume of
traffic to and from the South End, while not impacting the property owners
along the length of the cut.

Eliminating the two bridge's debt would not reduce the congestion. The
volume of traffic hasn't stopped increasing over the years, nor will it in
the coming years. We need to give the traffic another path to flow through
and the South End is the direction that a great majority of the traffic is
destined for, Universities, the Downtown Core. Contrary to what a number of
people believe, the truck traffic is not the main contributor to the
congestion on the peninsula, so constructing a "truck road" next to the
tracks in the cut is not the answer to the "flow" problem.

wmd

2008-03-28 22:38:57 UTC

Brian Smith wrote:

<snip>

Post by Brian Smith
have come to the conclusion that we need a third bridge. I say bridge
because a tunnel is not the answer.

<snip>

Just out of curiosity, why not a tunnel? Any specific reasons why a
bridge would be the better option, IYO?

wmd

Brian Smith

2008-03-28 23:08:48 UTC

Just out of curiosity, why not a tunnel? Any specific reasons why a bridge
would be the better option, IYO?

From what I've seen and read about over the years of vehicle fires in
tunnels, I would rather be behind a vehicle on fire on a bridge. Better air
to breath.

2008-03-28 23:23:19 UTC

Post by wmd
Just out of curiosity, why not a tunnel? Any specific reasons why a
bridge would be the better option, IYO?

From what I've seen and read about over the years of vehicle fires in
tunnels, I would rather be behind a vehicle on fire on a bridge. Better
air to breath.

Less of a problem nowadays Brian. Most modern tunnels are extremely well
ventilated. There are other issues with building a tunnel though

Brian Smith

2008-03-28 23:37:50 UTC

Post by JD
Less of a problem nowadays Brian. Most modern tunnels are extremely well
ventilated. There are other issues with building a tunnel though

The grades are another issue.

2008-03-28 23:32:58 UTC

Just out of curiosity, why not a tunnel? Any specific reasons why a bridge
would be the better option, IYO?

From what I've seen and read about over the years of vehicle fires in
tunnels, I would rather be behind a vehicle on fire on a bridge. Better air
to breath.

Just my personal opinion here of course. But if they put the millions
of dollars they want to put into bridges and tunnels into public
transit, the traffic congestion problem would be drastically reduced.

Yes, I know that many of you are unwilling to give up your vehicles at
this point. I know that if you've been driving to and from work all
this time, it's a difficult transition. You don't WANT to ride a bus
or train or anything else that involves someone else's schedule, or
more than you alone in a single vehicle. I have to say, I am bothered
by the number of vehicles on the road that occupy only one person.
What a waste! Even carpooling, offering your ride to someone going to
the same place daily, would help. If I knew someone going to my
workplace every day at the same time I do, I'd gladly offer to pay to
offset the cost of parking, etc., if it were a regular ride I could
depend on.

I am the first to admit, it's less than convenient to adhere to the
schedules of public transit here. It's a catch 22 - not enough people
take transit to make it convenient, but not enough people find it
convenient to take transit to work.

For us, it works - but only because we planned it that way. About five
years ago, after years of apartment living we decided that it was more
economical to buy a house on several bus routes than it was to buy a
car. My husband and I both essentially work downtown, we live in
Clayton Park. My husband couldn't get a parking spot at the Dockyards
if he tried, and it's too expensive for me in the downtown core. Rush
hour express buses get us down there in about 25 minutes on average.
Owning a car simply does not make sense for us. I have time to read my
newspaper along the way, and my latest book on the way home. It works
for us.

But for most of you out there who have been driving those five minutes
to the grocery store or whatever for years, it's difficult to
contemplate walking there in ten minutes, or depending on the bus
schedule to get you to and from where you need to go.

For example, my husband and I walk to our son's daycare every morning
to drop him off when the weather permits. Weather permitting includes
nearly every morning, the only thing that really stops us is deep snow
that the stroller won't go through, or ice storms where it's
impossible to walk. It's about a 15 minute walk for me (10 minutes for
my husband who's six inches taller than my 5'11). Of course we planned
it that way, having a facilty that's within walking distance for us.
But I really believe that for most people, a 15 minute walk would NOT
be considered walking distance, especially in winter, or if it's
raining. Too inconvenient!

KD

Brian Smith

2008-03-28 23:43:07 UTC

Post by KD
Just my personal opinion here of course. But if they put the millions

of dollars they want to put into bridges and tunnels into public
transit, the traffic congestion problem would be drastically reduced.

That's not going to happen here. We like our vehicles and the ability to
go when we want to where we want to, Metro transit does not offer that
flexibility.

Post by KD
Yes, I know that many of you are unwilling to give up your vehicles at

this point. I know that if you've been driving to and from work all
this time, it's a difficult transition. You don't WANT to ride a bus
or train or anything else that involves someone else's schedule, or
more than you alone in a single vehicle. I have to say, I am bothered
by the number of vehicles on the road that occupy only one person.
What a waste! Even carpooling, offering your ride to someone going to
the same place daily, would help. If I knew someone going to my
workplace every day at the same time I do, I'd gladly offer to pay to
offset the cost of parking, etc., if it were a regular ride I could
depend on.

The majority of the jobs I've had over my lifetime have never been
conducive to car pooling. Everyone starts at a differrent time and finishes
their day at a different time. Besides, I am in my vehicle for the better
(or worse <g>) part of the day, so another span across the harbour (and
possibly the Northwest Arm) would be a great advantage to myself and others
in the same situation.

lucretia borgia

2008-03-29 00:12:27 UTC

Post by KD
For us, it works - but only because we planned it that way. About five
years ago, after years of apartment living we decided that it was more
economical to buy a house on several bus routes than it was to buy a
car. My husband and I both essentially work downtown, we live in
Clayton Park. My husband couldn't get a parking spot at the Dockyards
if he tried, and it's too expensive for me in the downtown core. Rush
hour express buses get us down there in about 25 minutes on average.
Owning a car simply does not make sense for us. I have time to read my
newspaper along the way, and my latest book on the way home. It works
for us.
But for most of you out there who have been driving those five minutes
to the grocery store or whatever for years, it's difficult to
contemplate walking there in ten minutes, or depending on the bus
schedule to get you to and from where you need to go.
For example, my husband and I walk to our son's daycare every morning
to drop him off when the weather permits. Weather permitting includes
nearly every morning, the only thing that really stops us is deep snow
that the stroller won't go through, or ice storms where it's
impossible to walk. It's about a 15 minute walk for me (10 minutes for
my husband who's six inches taller than my 5'11). Of course we planned
it that way, having a facilty that's within walking distance for us.
But I really believe that for most people, a 15 minute walk would NOT
be considered walking distance, especially in winter, or if it's
raining. Too inconvenient!
KD

We need to upgrade our public transport (aka bus) system. When I am
in the UK I regularly hop on and off busses. I find the local busses
too good to pass up and even when I go from one part of the UK to
another I generally choose to go by long distance busses which are far
nicer than train travel, though the option is there and mine to
choose.

To choose car rental is not attractive. Very expensive, gas is
exorbitant and I have to drive myself.

If public transport is good and plentiful, I believe people will soon
use it.

2008-03-29 00:41:33 UTC

We need to upgrade our public transport (aka bus) system. When I am
in the UK I regularly hop on and off busses. I find the local busses
too good to pass up and even when I go from one part of the UK to
another I generally choose to go by long distance busses which are far
nicer than train travel, though the option is there and mine to
choose.
To choose car rental is not attractive. Very expensive, gas is
exorbitant and I have to drive myself.
If public transport is good and plentiful, I believe people will soon
use it.

Plus they drive on the wrong side of the road; very dangerous...

lucretia borgia

2008-03-29 10:49:47 UTC

Post by JD

Post by lucretia borgia
We need to upgrade our public transport (aka bus) system. When I am
in the UK I regularly hop on and off busses. I find the local busses
too good to pass up and even when I go from one part of the UK to
another I generally choose to go by long distance busses which are far
nicer than train travel, though the option is there and mine to
choose.
To choose car rental is not attractive. Very expensive, gas is
exorbitant and I have to drive myself.
If public transport is good and plentiful, I believe people will soon
use it.

Plus they drive on the wrong side of the road; very dangerous...

For some reason that never bothers me - the steering wheel is in the
wrong place if you are driving down the road on the wrong side! What
I hate is their kill or be killed mentality which is cropping up here
more often.

2008-03-29 12:13:17 UTC

Post by JD

Plus they drive on the wrong side of the road; very dangerous...

Here, I don't think it is really 'a kill or be killed' attitude as much as
it is 'I'm really too stupid to find and operate the signal light, figure
out I should put down my cell phone, and use a rear-view to look behind me'
kind of thing.

Billy Bob

2008-03-29 00:22:48 UTC

nope, just more empty buses driving around

Just out of curiosity, why not a tunnel? Any specific reasons why a bridge
would be the better option, IYO?

From what I've seen and read about over the years of vehicle fires in
tunnels, I would rather be behind a vehicle on fire on a bridge. Better air
to breath.

2008-03-28 23:16:50 UTC

Post by wmd
<snip>

Post by Brian Smith
have come to the conclusion that we need a third bridge. I say bridge
because a tunnel is not the answer.

<snip>
Just out of curiosity, why not a tunnel? Any specific reasons why a bridge
would be the better option, IYO?
wmd

I can give you a couple of good reasons. First, the bottom of Halifax
Harbour is basalt; bedrock. Hence, to drill a tunnel would be incredibly
expensive. Building a tunnel above the bedrock presents issues with vessel
traffic in the harbour. Also, if they did drill, the downgrade into the
tunnel would mean that the entrances would have to be a fair distance from
the waterline. Since space is an issue in Halifax, where would you put the
entrance.

PBMJJ

2008-03-29 00:28:18 UTC

Post by wmd
<snip>

Post by Brian Smith
have come to the conclusion that we need a third bridge. I say bridge
because a tunnel is not the answer.

<snip>
Just out of curiosity, why not a tunnel? Any specific reasons why a bridge
would be the better option, IYO?
wmd

Cost. 1.1 Billion for bridge. 1.4 billion for tunnel.

Rick A.

2008-03-28 23:33:01 UTC

Post by Punk
They will have to pry my company Macpass from my cold dead hands.
Sometimes the powers that be do get something right.

The use of the MacPass has definitely reduced the amount of time one
spends on the bridges.

Hmmm thats 38 years ago if you do your math correctly. This is 2008
and the bridge opened in 1970.

I'm surprised that you (we the public) knew that as a 15-20 year old.
Very perceptive! :-)

Post by Brian Smith
Eliminating the two bridge's debt would not reduce the congestion. The
volume of traffic hasn't stopped increasing over the years, nor will it in
the coming years. We need to give the traffic another path to flow through
and the South End is the direction that a great majority of the traffic is
destined for, Universities, the Downtown Core. Contrary to what a number of
people believe, the truck traffic is not the main contributor to the
congestion on the peninsula, so constructing a "truck road" next to the
tracks in the cut is not the answer to the "flow" problem.

Richard Bonner

2008-04-07 13:48:41 UTC

Post by Punk
What do you think of this third crossing bridge or tunnel idea?
It seems kind of weird.

*** The tunnel has been proposed since the 1960s. One from the Bear Trap
intersection on the 111 under the harbour and then another under the Arm
has been the one most discussed.

Post by Punk
If the goal is to reduce congestion why
don't they retire the bridges's debt and get rid of the toll booths.
Let people zip through without stopping them every trip.
Punk

*** It's because the cost of maintenance.

Richard

Brian Smith

2008-03-27 22:46:24 UTC

Post by Steve Mackie
So they bridge gets rid of the tokens and returns the $30 deposit to
Macpass users. Great. BUT, now they are charging a $1.00 per month
"account maintenance fee."

That charge is only if one chooses to use the manual replenishment
method. There is no charge if one chooses to use a credit card to
automatically replenish one's account.

G***@NoMacPassForMe.net

2008-03-28 00:36:36 UTC

Hey, I resemble that remark! Old joke but then, I'm old, dagnabit.

Post by Brian Smith
Most people aren't that stupid.

Steve Mackie

2008-03-29 10:06:29 UTC

Post by G***@NoMacPassForMe.net

Post by Brian Smith
Most people aren't that stupid.

Hey, I resemble that remark! Old joke but then, I'm old, dagnabit.

Did you mean to say "I resent that remark?"

Steve

G***@NoMacPassForMe.net

2008-03-29 16:56:19 UTC