Edmonton Public Transit

[stilicho]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

RE: ARC
---

Stupid question for a guy that has a dumb phone, but do you need the physical card? Given that we are in 2023 and this technology is 20 years old, shall I presuppose that any smartphone can download the ARC app and tap with your phone?

Unless I'm otherwise corrected it's a physical card and or the card fee anyhow. It's six bucks or something like that.

The card system works fine but it is has a bit of lag which isn't the preferred option when you're at the head of a busy line-up.

Today I was behind someone whose card blinked red upon boarding and tapping and the driver waved him on in. I suspect you can buy the card, load it once, tap it to zero and then appear shocked when you ride and every transit operator will wave you on in especially if there's a line-up.

[stilicho]

Originally Posted by CMD UW

Want to know what I think....most of these comments are nothing but speculative. Will there be incidents. Of course. But these types of tram systems have been built all over the place and guess what...eventually people get used to them. And many of these systems have been built in the most vehicle dominated cities - Oklahoma City, Minneapolis, Dallas, etc.

I don't have the time to examine each of these comparisons but I looked at OK City to start with.

Theirs is a business district loop line. It's priced low to encourage ridership. It doesn't run very often on the weekends. Its monthly volume is approximately one-third of Edmonton's existing daily total. Their operating expenses exceed their operating revenue by six-fold.

Their local media recently featured complaints about their streetcars from cyclists whose tyres and wheels were damaged by the grooves created by the sunken rails.

The sky hasn't fallen in OK City as a consequence but I would love to see what their city planners think about our trams intended to slowly transport people from downtown to the edge of the city at the expense of an express bus route that presently does the job admirably.

[Coldrsx]

Originally Posted by stilicho

Unless I'm otherwise corrected it's a physical card and or the card fee anyhow. It's six bucks or something like that.

The card system works fine but it is has a bit of lag which isn't the preferred option when you're at the head of a busy line-up.

Today I was behind someone whose card blinked red upon boarding and tapping and the driver waved him on in. I suspect you can buy the card, load it once, tap it to zero and then appear shocked when you ride and every transit operator will wave you on in especially if there's a line-up.

But who carries cards these days?

On SRC it sounds like phone tap is on its way later this year.

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

But who carries cards these days?

On SRC it sounds like phone tap is on its way later this year.

I do, as do many. Even in Toronto, Vancouver, etc. you still see TONS of people taking out their transit cards and tapping them to ride. It's not difficult and not worth complaining about.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

But who carries cards these days?

On SRC it sounds like phone tap is on its way later this year.

I would say the majority of transit-user in the largest cities in Canada still do. Cards don't lose or require a connection, run out of battery, or require one to have a smart phone to begin with, etc. I tried using the app in Los Angeles, couldn't get it to work for the life of me and ended up just getting a card.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by stilicho

The sky hasn't fallen in OK City as a consequence but I would love to see what their city planners think about our trams intended to slowly transport people from downtown to the edge of the city at the expense of an express bus route that presently does the job admirably.

Like BRT, I assume?

[Coldrsx]

^^
^^^
It's not the end of the world, but when you are playing catchup with technology isn't it important to leapfrog?

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

^^
^^^
It's not the end of the world, but when you are playing catchup with technology isn't it important to leapfrog?

Yes and no, cards a proven technology that are likely used by the majority globally still, but it is nice to know that the ARC card readers do have the capability to read smartphones, credit cards, etc. when the time comes to activate that feature.

[RetiredGuy]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

^^
^^^
It's not the end of the world, but when you are playing catchup with technology isn't it important to leapfrog?

I don't think it is. Let the trailblazer doing something different work out all the kinks first (and spend the money not anticipated).

Based on the proven Vendor chosen and my understanding on what Transit is doing, going slow and implementing in steps seems prudent to me.

[Coldrsx]

@ryanjespersen
Covered a lot in front of a packed house! Of note: Premier says trains from #yyc & #yeg airports to downtown is a top priority

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

@ryanjespersen
Covered a lot in front of a packed house! Of note: Premier says trains from #yyc & #yeg airports to downtown is a top priority

There's a promising business case for this rail line already out there... right?

[Coldrsx]

They have one that's continuously being refined.

https://friendsofcabr.com

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

@ryanjespersen
Covered a lot in front of a packed house! Of note: Premier says trains from #yyc & #yeg airports to downtown is a top priority

Silly season is in full swing!

[Rocket252]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

They have one that's continuously being refined.

https://friendsofcabr.com

maybe a Edmonton to Jasper line as well

[Hallsy's Toupee]

Originally Posted by Rocket252

maybe a Edmonton to Jasper line as well

That would be cool. Unfortunately a Jasper-Edmonton rail route is already served by a VIA Rail line between Toronto and Vancouver that stops at every light bulb on the way and yields to freight traffic.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

They have one that's continuously being refined.

https://friendsofcabr.com

I meant the Edmonton to Calgary rail line. Has there been a positive business case for this yet? Is that what Smith meant as a priority, to initiate a business case?

[Coldrsx]

Originally Posted by Hallsy's Toupee

That would be cool. Unfortunately a Jasper-Edmonton rail route is already served by a VIA Rail line between Toronto and Vancouver that stops at every light bulb on the way and yields to freight traffic.

Edmonton also had a Fri-Sun 'Powder Express' for a few years, but few wanted to take it due to cost, arrival logistics and no desire to have character trips anymore.

[Edmontonguy]

Saw Valley LRT testing today. Alternating between one car and then two cars. Appeared to be running at a consistent frequency.

Two observations: very s l o w. Rapid transit, it is not. Not even on the separated from traffic portions, which is quite sad.

And can anyone answer what happens if passenger demand ever exceeds two LRV's? The system, as designed, seems hamstrung to meet future needs. What's the point of spending billions of capacity can't be added?

[feepa]

This line was never designed as a rapid transit line.

It's a billion dollar bus on rails, a modern streetcar with a few mass transit features.

[Slide]

Originally Posted by Edmontonguy

And can anyone answer what happens if passenger demand ever exceeds two LRV's? The system, as designed, seems hamstrung to meet future needs. What's the point of spending billions of capacity can't be added?

"Yes"
- the CoE, probably