Ontario tourism minister didn’t force people-mover deal on Parks Commission: Niagara Falls MPP
From Bullet News Niagara:
A pending deal between the City of Niagara Falls and the Niagara Parks Commission to create a new people-mover bus system to service the millions of visitors to the Honeymoon Capital each year was no shotgun wedding.
While Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor acknowledges he and Ontario Tourism Minister Michael Chan were asked to help resolve an impasse in negotiations between the parties in recent weeks, the minister did not force a deal on the provincial agency, whose chairwoman Fay Booker continues to raise concerns about the impact the new system could have on Niagara Parks’ revenue stream.
“No – I don’t think that’s true,” said Craitor, when asked if the ministry put pressure on Booker and the commission to get the deal done.
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Tourism sector takes stock at season start
From the Niagara Falls Review:
With new tourism-related services, and the potential for more in the coming years, officials see a bright future for the No. 1 industry in Niagara Falls.
As the traditional tourism season gets underway in the city, many of those involved in the sector are looking forward to seeing if, or how, the new convention centre will help an industry that has suffered some lean years recently.
But with the food and wine expo at the convention centre this weekend, an extension to GO rail service, with discussions continuing on a people-mover system and with the potential for a new 7,000-seat entertainment centre bringing A-list stars to the city in a few years, the long-term prospects look good, they say.
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‘It feels more like a park than a Parkway’
From the Niagara Falls Review:
The inaugural Car-Free Day on the Niagara Parkway wasn’t free of suggestions from both tourists and locals who want to see the event evolve from its humble beginnings Sunday.
“This is awesome,” said Mike Sherman, a cyclist from Montreal who was riding down the empty Parkway toward the Horseshoe Falls with fellow Montrealer Jen Zwarych.
“I think it’s great,” Zwarych said, adding it was their first time in Niagara Falls. “It’s a little empty though. We’ve never been here with the cars, but if the cars are louder than the falls it would definitely make it less cool.”
For the first time ever, the Niagara Parks Commission on Sunday shut down the Niagara Parkway to vehicle traffic, except the NPC’s people-mover buses.
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Reconsider trolleys, former city worker urges
From the Niagara Falls Review:
Niagara Falls should put the brakes on the purchase of buses for shuttling tourists around town and reconsider an electric trolley system before plans for the new people mover system leave the station, says former city employee Derek Costello.
But council members say their current people mover plan is affordable, will serve a wider area and is what the tourism industry wants now.
Electric trolleys are better for the environment than buses that burn fossil fuels. Their long-term maintenance costs are lower than buses with tires and moving parts have to be replaced more frequently than steel wheels or electric motors, Costello said.
“There’s such a strong movement (toward trolleys). It makes you think why, why, why buses?” Costello, a retired engineering technician, said. “A mistake is made forever. To amend a decision now is more prudent.”
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People mover base garage to be on Stanley Ave
From the Niagara Falls Review:
A $16 million maintenance garage for the future people mover system will be built on Stanley Ave. as the result of a city council vote Monday, though some politicians question why they wouldn’t put it downtown where it might help revitalization efforts.
“Not enough was done to see if we could have made that investment downtown,” Coun. Vince Kerrio said.
As the city and Niagara Parks Commission move ahead with plans for a new bus system to shuttle passengers around tourism areas, they’ll need a new garage to store and service the 27 buses in the fleet.
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City, NPC trying to finalize people mover plans
From the Niagara Falls Review:
A deal that could lead to a new mass-transit system serving the tourism areas could be finalized as early as Friday, the mayor and Niagara Parks Commission manager say.
Mayor Ted Salci is scheduled to meet with Niagara Parks Commission chairwoman Fay Booker and general manager John Kernahan Friday, in a bid to finalize their existing “agreement in principle” to operate a people mover system and cash in on $50-million in available federal and provincial funding.
“Our negotiations are continuing. They’re moving well,” Salci said in an interview. “The agreement is a master agreement with the Niagara Parks Commission outlining the obligations of each party,” the mayor said.
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City, NPC closing in on People Mover deal
From the Niagara Falls Review:
Niagara Falls council and the Niagara Parks Commission appear to be closing in on a deal to operate some kind of joint-venture People Mover System, as they face a June 30 deadline to take advantage of $50 million in government assistance or lose it.
“We’re down to the wire,” Mayor Ted Salci said Tuesday afternoon, a day after councillors authorized him to execute a deal if one can be reached Wednesday. “I haven’t signed anything yet.”
The authorization council gave the mayor Monday is a sign the city wants to be ready in the event an arrangement is worked out to create a new transit system that will run on both NPCowned property and on city streets in the tourism sector.
“I’m feeling we should be able to announce something shortly that will bring some smiles to people’s faces.”
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Bigger N.F., Ont. trolley planned
From Buffalo Business First:
An expanded Niagara Falls, Ont., people-mover system could be ready for tourists by next spring.
Niagara Falls Mayor Ted Salci said he is confident that a few remaining issues, mostly centered on financing the rubber-tired trolleys, can be worked out in the next few weeks with his own city council, as well as the Niagara Parks Commission. Agreements with both should be in hand within the next month.
If approved, 27 trolleys will run continuous loops from the Brock Monument near the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge to Rapidsview Parking Lot near Marineland amusement park. They would cover the nearly 10-mile-long loop during the peak tourism months – from late April through October – and then operate smaller routes during the winter months.
The trolleys would stop at virtually every major attraction and many hotels in Niagara Falls.
Read more: Bigger N.F., Ont. trolley planned – Business First of Buffalo
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Summer Couples and Family Packages at Doubletree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton
On Monday I received this information from the Doubletree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton – Niagara Falls:
Explore Niagara Falls with the ones you love! Niagara Falls Hotel Doubletree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton offer Summer Couples and Family Packages. The Summer Couples Package includes a $50 dinner voucher for Buchanans Chophouse (on-site), two adults Niagara Parks Adventure Passes which includes admission to Journey behind the Falls, Niagaras Fury, Maid of the Mist, White Water Walk and two day People Mover transportation. This package includes a full breakfast for two adults, two mornings. Also includes discount coupons for Butterfly Conservatory and Whirlpool Aero Car. From $204/night CAD.
Doubletree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton
6039 Fallsview Blvd
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada L2G 3V6
Tel: 905-358-3817
Fax: 905-358-3680
www.niagarafallsdoubletree.com
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People mover talks progressing
From the Niagara Falls Review:
Talks aimed at creating an integrated people mover system are underway.
After parting ways more than a year ago, city and Niagara Parks officials are back at the table discussing opportunities to create a single, seamless transit system to link tourist districts with areas currently serviced by the NPC’s familiar green-and-white people movers.
Formal meetings resumed earlier this month -shortly after the province announced $25 million in funding toward the rubber-tired system proposed by the city. Municipal councillors abandoned the idea of building a monorail system last April.
The $25 million pledged by the province matches $25 million offered by the federal government back in 2003.
Niagara Parks general manager John Kernahan and Mayor Ted Salci both say they’re hoping the meetings will lead to an agreement that will allow the city and the commission to move forward together.
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