By expanding and improving provincial transit, Ontario could help students access affordable housing beyond campus limits and commute from home more easily
As Ontario’s housing crisis worsens, McMaster students are feeling the effects of skyrocketing rents and a lack of on-campus housing. Though it won't solve the housing crisis, reliable and fast public transit could mitigate the increasing demand for student housing by making commuting more feasible.
Transportation isn’t always considered when discussing solutions to the housing crisis, but it could play plays a crucial role for students. The ability to live in more affordable areas away from campus or with their parents depends on easy access to public both fast and reliable transit.
By improving and expanding services like GO Transit along with municipal transit such as the Hamilton Street Railway, Ontario could open up more affordable housing opportunities for students without forcing them to sacrifice convenience or accessibility. With better transit making longer commutes more feasible, students wouldn’t be as limited to a shrinking pool of expensive rentals near campus.
Currently, many McMaster students face a tough choice: either struggle with high rents on or near campus or commute long distances to find affordable housing. With transit that pails in comparison to that of many other countries in terms of both reliability and travel time, students either have to bite the bullet of paying high rent or make long and tiring commutes every day.
The lack of affordable housing close to McMaster is part of a larger trend. A report from the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations found that nearly half of all Canadian students struggle to find affordable housing. For McMaster students, this statistic is all too real.
Other cities have already begun to recognize the link between transportation and empowering housing. According to the University of British Columbia Alma Mater Society, in 2023, 33% of UBC students had commutes exceeding one hour.
The SkyTrain extension project to the University of British Columbia, currently under construction, aims to make getting to the university from far out in the city easier and faster. By linking the university directly to Vancouver’s rapid transit network, the extension could make more distant commutes easier and more feasible, increasing the options of where students can live and making commuting less difficult.
The benefits of expanding public transit go beyond just providing students with more affordable living options. Investing in transit infrastructure strengthens communities, fosters economic growth, and reduces traffic congestion.
For Hamilton, a more connected transit system would improve the quality of life for all residents, not just students. As Ontario plans for the future of its transit networks, the needs of students must be a part of the conversation.
Of course improving transit will not itself solve the housing crisis. At the end of the day, solving the housing crisis requires building more affordable housing. But as construction takes time, making commuting a more feasible and easy option for a great number of students now could reduce the student demand on the local housing market in the short term.
Effective September 1, Hamilton enhances public transit with returning university routes and increased frequency
The City of Hamilton is introducing changes to its public transit system starting September 1, including increased Sunday service, and more rides on Holidays and evenings that usually stop early. The service changes are part of the City of Hamilton’s ten-year transit strategy aimed at improving transit time, rider experience, and overall operations.
Sunday and holiday service has been added to routes 16 (Ancaster), 18 (Waterdown Mountaineer) and 51 (University) from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m..
Sunday and holiday service has been added to routes 16 (Ancaster), 18 (Waterdown Mountaineer) and 51 (University) from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m..
Late-night service every 30 minutes from 7:00 p.m. until the end of service has been added to lines 3 (Cannon), 4 (Bayfront), the number 10 B-line express, 16 (Ancaster), 22 (Upper Ottawa), 23 (Upper Gage), 24 (Upper Sherman), 25 (Upper Wentworth), 26 (Upper Wellington), 27 (Upper James), 34 (Upper Paradise), 41 (Mohawk), 43 (Stone Church) and 51 (University).
Additionally, part-time students without the HSR bus pass will experience a fare increase of 10 cents from $2.70 to $2.80, along with all other HSR users.
Part-time students without the HSR buss pass will experience a fare increase of 10 cents from $2.70 to $2.80, along with all other HSR users.
For more information on the changes and to view the route schedules, visit the HSR website.
Entrance from Main St. W. to campus will be blocked between Mar. 20 to 25 and community will be redirected to gain access to campus
McMaster University community was asked to be aware that the Main St. W entrance to campus will not be accessible between Mar. 20 and 25. The entrance will blocked in order to maintain safety standards as construction continues on Hamilton Health Sciences McMaster University Medical Centre.
"This closure is required for a Hamilton Health Sciences’ project that includes the setup of a construction crane and lifting of pipe risers on to the roof of the McMaster University Medical Centre," stated an article from McMaster DailyNews released on Mar. 13.
The university urged those who utilize the Main St. W. entrance to be aware their travel times might increase. Those who travel to campus in vehicles were asked to enter through either Cootes Dr. or Sterling St. entrances, while for those who travel by foot, the University says the sidewalk between the Engineering Technology Building and T13 is functional.
The entrance is expected to reopen at 4 p.m. on Mar. 25, 2024. McMaster University said that any updates to the closed entrance will be provided through Daily News.
Amidst ransomware attack on municipal IT infrastructure, Hamilton residents experience disrupted services, including council and committee meetings, phone lines and inaccurate bus times
On Feb. 25, the City of Hamilton experienced the beginning of a ransomware attack. A ransomware attack is when malware is introduced to a person's digital belongings and causes data to be withheld. Furthermore, to retrieve this data usually entails some form of payment to those who have taken the data.
As of Mar. 14, the cause of the ransomware attack is still undisclosed. The City of Hamilton has hired CYPFER, a global cyber security company that helps ransomware victims, to help investigate the ongoing attack. As of Mar. 14, 2024, CYPFER has yet to determine when there will be a full restoration of services.
Several services have been disrupted by this attack, including council and committee meetings, which have been put on hold; Wi-Fi and public computers at Hamilton Public Libraries as well as the ability to place holds on material through their website have been disrupted, and all phone lines, aside from the operational customer contact centre, are currently not accessible.
Since the attack, the Hamilton Street Railway app has been completely offline and bus schedules are subject to variable timings. This dysfunction is further exacerbated as the city's geographic information system is currently completely unavailable as well.
The City of Hamilton has not currently disclosed any information about the cause of the ransomware attack. They have assured that they are continuing to work on the issue in a recent news release.
“The City is also conducting a thorough investigation to determine if any personal information was accessed or compromised. Updates will be provided as new information become available. We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding during this time and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” stated the City of Hamilton on their webpage dedicated to the current cybersecurity incident.
As the City of Hamilton continues to investigate the source, they are providing updates through their website. The City of Hamilton encourage citizens to utilize the operational customer contact centre instead of main lines. The way to contact the city is 905-546-2489 (CITY).
This is an ongoing story.
Following months of negotiations and a recent strike, HSR workers receive a four year annual wage increase and increased health benefits in new agreement
On Monday, Nov. 27, Hamilton city council voted to ratify a four-year collective agreement with the union representing Hamilton Street Railway workers, putting an end to concerns regarding additional transit strikes in the near future.
This agreement follows the recent week-long transit strike by HSR workers. The strike was in response to a failure to negotiate a renewed workers contract with increased wages to account for inflation earlier in August.
Since the beginning of 2023, the HSR and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 107, the union which represents HSR workers, have been negotiating terms for an renewed employment contract. When negotiations continued to stall in August, 99 per cent of HSR workers voted in favor of a strike mandate if the city failed to improve its offer for a new contract.
Hamilton presented its final offer for a renewed contract to the union on Oct. 24, which included a 3.75 per cent salary increase in the first year, followed by a three per cent increase each year for three years after.
At the beginning of November, the union stated that 94 per cent of its members had voted to reject this offer. Eric Tuck, the president of the union, stated that the wage increases proposed by the city fell short of accounting for inflation and the rising cost of living.
“Our members were infuriated with the latest proposal as it falls short of inflationary pressures and the cost of living,” said Tuck in a press release.
Our members were infuriated with the latest proposal as it falls short of inflationary pressures and the cost of living.
Eric Tuck, president, ATU Local 107
The strike ended on Nov. 16 after one week, upon a tentative agreement being reached at approximately 2 a.m. The agreement did not include an increase in the initial proposed wage increase, but rather increases to health benefits and increased bereavement leave.
On Thursday, Nov. 24, union members voted with 81 per cent in favor of ratifying the new agreement. Hamilton city council then voted unanimously to ratify the agreement the following Monday, Nov. 27.
Following ratification by both parties, Mayor Andrea Horwath stated that she was glad an agreement had been reached.
"We know that life is getting more expensive for everyone and I'm proud that we were able to reach an agreement that was fair to our employees and the people of Hamilton," said Horwath.
We know that life is getting more expensive for everyone and I'm proud that we were able to reach an agreement that was fair to our employees and the people of Hamilton.
Andrea Horwath, Mayor, city of Hamilton
On their website, the union stated that this agreement will avoid any further labor disruptions.
With the new agreement, in addition to the wage increase of 12.75 per cent over four years, HSR workers will see a one-time increase to health care benefits of $1,000. This will bring total health care benefits to $2,000 in 2024, however this amount will return to $1,000 in 2025.
For students and the larger Hamilton community, the HSR bus strike has created devastating financial and social losses that will be difficult to recover from
On Thursday, Nov. 9, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 107 officially began a legal service strike, suspending all HSR bus services indefinitely.
As over 900 transit workers hit the picket lines to demand wage increases, thousands of Hamilton residents were left scrambling to make other travel arrangements.
In Hamilton, about four out of 10 residents rely on HSR bus services daily. Students, seniors, families, low-income households, individuals with disabilities as well as others experienced the challenges of travelling in the city without access to public busses.
In Hamilton, about four out of 10 residents rely on HSR bus services daily. Students, seniors, families, low-income households, individuals with disabilities as well as others experienced the challenges of travelling in the city without access to public busses.
For students, especially those living further from campus, commuting to classes this past week became increasingly difficult. Not everyone was able to secure access to a vehicle or carpool with friends. And students, who are already pressed for time and money, couldn't necessarily afford to solely use other modes of transportation such as taxis or rideshare services that charge a rather significant fee per ride. Cycling and walking were also not viable options for students depending on the distance, weather, and accessibility.
Without bussing available, students lack financially sustainable and feasible commuting options. And the same goes for the larger Hamilton community.
However, for Hamilton residents, the HSR bus strike means more than just a lack of transportation. The bus strike means being unable to meet commitments such as classes, work, doctor’s appointments, visiting family and friends, buying groceries or medications and other essential or meaningful activities.
The consequences of the HSR bus strike run deep, hurting the most vulnerable communities in our city. More importantly, the challenges brought upon by the strike will persist, despite the end of the strike.
Students, for one, had to go to great lengths to make it to class, losing more time and money in the process. Those who had no accessible means of getting to campus were forced to fall behind in classes and miss out on work as well as other commitments. While these losses can’t easily be measured in dollars, absence from classes can lead to a decline in academic performance.
Balancing several classes together is a challenge, and having to catch up on days of missed classes only exacerbates the stress and anxiety students experience. With midterm season in full swing and exams approaching, student wellness is already at risk. However, the lack of certainty around getting to campus this past week inevitably cost some students their grades and well-being.
Beyond the student population, the HSR bus strike has had ramifications for many other Hamiltonians. For instance, individuals from low-income households, who work days on end and survive paycheck-to-paycheck simply could not afford to miss hours of work. Instead, they were left to choose between taking hours-long walks in the cold weather in order to put food on the table for their families or losing their jobs, possibly pushing some into poverty.
Individuals who are unable to walk long distances, such as seniors or individuals with chronic conditions or disabilities, had to spend their savings on cabs or Ubers, instead of their rent, food, or other necessities. And for those living on a fixed income, visiting loved ones, attending important medical appointments that were booked months in advance and accessing food banks or purchasing groceries, has been impossible.
Students and other community members were forced to make difficult choices in light of the strike and the consequences are clear – the labour disruption will leave a dent in their wallets and well-being.
Students and other community members were forced to make difficult choices in light of the strike and the consequences are clear – the labour disruption will leave a dent in their wallets and well-being.
Although the city has reached a tentative agreement with Hamilton transit workers, the ATU strike is a reminder of the vitally important role our transit workers play in the functioning of our city.
With all the commuting chaos and challenges, we need to recognize the fact that the thousands of individuals using the bussing system actually rely on these services. They don't take multiple buses to get to their destinations for the sake of it. They catch bus after bus because they have to, because bussing is their only option.
The bottom line is even though the strike is over, it isn't truly over – not for students, not for seniors and not for individuals with disabilities or low-income families. The strike has disproportionately hurt Hamilton’s most vulnerable, and these communities will be helplessly left to recover from the consequences long after services resume.
Personal mobility device users and visually impaired riders will be required to pay Hamilton bus fair with new Fair Assist Program
Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, personal mobility device users and individuals who are legally blind will be required to pay the standard price for Hamilton Street Railway bus services. This change comes with the implementation of HSR’s new Fare Assist program, which will allow individuals to receive discounts on bus fairs on the basis of household income.
Under the Temporary Transit Fare Special Program, also known as the Voluntary Pay Program, paying the HSR bus fair has been voluntary for PMD users and Canadian National Institute for the Blind cardholders. Both this program and the Affordable Transit Pass Program, which gave monthly bus passes to low income riders at half price, will be replaced by the new Fare Assist program in the next few months.
The new Fare Assist program will provide a 30 per cent discount on single-ride PRESTO bus fares based solely on income. The Fare Assist information website states that it is intended to be a more equitable discount program by being based only on financial need.
Esther Liu, the director of Maccess, McMaster University’s student-lead disability peer support service, believes that if this new program is intended to be more equitable, then the term is being misused or misunderstood by the decision makers involved in the new program.
“Equity [means] understanding that everyone is starting out from different places [and] that people will need different accommodations depending on their circumstances," said Liu.
Equity [means] understanding that everyone is starting out from different places [and] that people will need different accommodations depending on their circumstances.
Esther Liu, director of Maccess
Liu is also a Humans of McMaster Staff Writer at the Silhouette.
To qualify for the new Fare Assist program, individuals must fall within federal low-income measure after tax, which is based on total household income and the number of household members. Eligible applicants will receive the discount for one year and can reapply each year.
The program could benefit 88,380 Hamilton residents who qualify, according to census data from 2021. Additionally, a recommendation submitted by HSR director Maureen Cosyn Heath to the city of Hamilton Public Works Department stated that “the benefits of this program far exceed the current Affordable Transit Pass program and the Temporary Transit Fare Special Program, making transit more affordable for a much higher number of Hamiltonians.”
According to Tim Nolan of the Accessibility Hamilton Alliance, many Hamilton residents living with disabilities cannot afford to ride the bus if required to pay the fare. Hamilton resident and board member of the Canadian Council of the Blind in Hamilton, Sharon Ruttan, expressed that having to pay for the bus fare in the midst of the rising cost of living will “limit what many of us do on a daily basis.”
Margaret Qin, a volunteer with Maccess, stated that due to the unique experiences and accessibility challenges faced by disabled individuals, shifting to solely provide discounts to low income bus riders is a step in the wrong direction.
“Considering people’s financial situations is definitely a step in the right direction, [but we also need to] consider people’s abilities and what makes it difficult for them to travel.” stated Qin.
Considering people’s financial situations is definitely a step in the right direction, [but we also need to] consider people’s abilities and what makes it difficult for them to travel.
Margaret Qin, Maccess volunteer
Qin elaborated that the Fare Assist program should not take away the voluntary pay program for PMD users and CNIB cardholders. The Fare Assist Program will first be run as a pilot program for two years until 2026. Presently, as it was stated that the voluntary pay program will be suspended when the new Fare Assist program begins, it is unclear if there is the possibility for the voluntary pay program to return in the future.
Hamilton Street Railway workers have announced a strike and will halt bus services beginning Thursday, Nov. 9.
On Nov. 5, 2023, the Amalgameted Transit Union Local 107 provided a 72-hour notice alerting Hamiltonians of a legal service strike commencing Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023.
Since the expiration of ATU Local 107's Collective Agreement in late 2022, the city of Hamilton and the transit union have met at the bargaining table for a new contract. The vote on the city's final offer for ATU Local 107 employees, including Hamilton Street Railway bus drivers and staff, was held the morning of Nov. 5.
The union voted against accepting the offer. HSR buses and myRide on demand service will cease on Thursday, Nov. 9 at the start of the service day.
HSR buses and myRide on demand service will cease on Thursday, Nov. 9 at the start of the service day.
A pamphlet being distributed by HSR operators to Hamilton citizens states that ATU Local 107 members will be striking due to the city's failure to offer fair wages that are reflective of the escalating housing, food and fuel markets.
"After losing real wages of more than 7% due to inflation over the last 4 years, our members have made it clear that we can't afford to continue down this road." said a statement from ATU Local 107.
The statement also urges city councillors to negotiate further for a fair deal to keep HSR service going.
This is an ongoing story, and updates will be posted at The Silhouette as more information is released.
As early as tomorrow, Oct. 25, there is potential for a transit strike as negotiations between the city and local transit union break down
On Oct. 23, 2023, the City of Hamilton released a statement informing residents that transit services may be disrupted in the upcoming week, starting as soon as Oct.25.
This possible strike comes in the middle of ongoing negotiations with the Amalgamated Transit Union Hamilton, also known as ATU Local 107. ATU Local 107 shared with Global News Canada their main focuses in these negotiations has been to ensure that their workers are paid fairly and that the Hamilton light rail transit system is managed as a public resource.
ATU Local 107 have been actively against the privatization of the LTR system, publicly supporting the Keep Transit Public movement and it’s active petition.
These negotiations between ATU Local 107 and the city have been ongoing since Feb. 2023. With no agreement during negotiations, the City of Hamilton shared that they had requested a no-board notice to resolve the issue.
A no-board notice is submitted to Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development who introduce a panel to the negotiations. This move ensures that the discussion has a mediator to help an agreement come into place.
One stipulation in a no-board notice is that after the seventeenth day of the notice being given, strikes and lock-outs can be conducted legally. For the City of Hamilton and ATU Local 107, the seventeenth day since the notice was given will be Oct. 25. which is why the possibility of a transit strike begins then.
Folks who rely on transit to get around the city, including many McMaster University students, are being strongly encouraged to seek alternative methods of transportation to minimize difficulties that could occur during a potential strike period.
This is an ongoing story.
McMaster students will continue paying for the HSR Bus Pass, Solar Car and Engineers Without Borders following referenda results
This MSU election season, students not only voted for their 2023-2024 president-elect, but they also voted in three referenda about whether to continue paying for the Hamilton Street Railway bus pass, McMaster University Solar Car and Engineers Without Borders.
In the HSR bus pass referendum, 77.1 per cent voted to continue paying for a 12-month unlimited ride HSR bus pass until the 2025-2026 school year. Approximately 10.5 per cent of the student population voted, bringing it barely above the 10 per cent threshold for referendum results to be counted.
Students paid $232.94 in the 2022-2023 school year for the unlimited bus pass. Next year’s fee will total $241.79, due to transportation price increases as a part of Hamilton’s city council 10-year strategic plan.
Students paid $232.94 in the 2022-2023 school year for the unlimited bus pass. Next year’s fee will total $241.79, due to transportation price increases as a part of Hamilton’s city council 10-year strategic plan.
In order for a referendum to be acknowledged, at least 10 per cent of the student body must vote. Both the McMaster Solar Car and Engineers Without Borders referenda failed to meet this threshold. Therefore, the previous fees will be kept as a fee on students’ tuition.
Annually, McMaster Solar Car and Engineers Without Borders cost each student $1.11 and $0.41 respectively.
Annually, McMaster Solar Car and Engineers Without Borders cost each student $1.11 and S0.41 respectively.
The results from these referenda have not changed the fees to McMaster students, with the exception of a $8.85 price increase in the HSR bus pass due to rising costs of transportation in the 2023-2024 school year.
