Calgary Area Regional Transit

[MonctonGoldenFlames]

yet another study that is going on the premise that the nclrt is gong up the nose creek corridor.

[MalcolmTucker]

^ The plan does not preclude the LRT going up Centre St, which is the important thing. The CRP can only operate with best available data, they aren't there to dictate to the communities.

[mersar]

Yep.

Overall its an interesting report, the short term plans all should be fairly feasable, the big question is if theres support, the sticking point for the public is probably going to be the price. For instance they're suggesting a $8 one way fare (integrated with Calgary Transit) or a $200/month pass, the latter of which still sounds high unless you really think about it and realize how much you'd be spending driving. In the short term the system will be intially just buses that run direct from the community to the city (downtown or an LRT station) and back. Later that changes to local feeders to a central hub, then buses from the hub to the city, and eventually the hub will connect with rail.

The one thing that could be interesting to see though is the governance model they're suggesting. Initially they suggest pretty much just a committee at CRP to keep things consistent but with the indidivual communities being in charge still, but in the long term they suggest a proper regional authority with a similar mandate to what Translink has in BC

[frinkprof]

^I would have no problem with those prices. It's a bargain in my mind.

[srperrycgy]

I think that $5 for a one-way trip is very reasonable. I paid $3.75 to get from Vancouver Airport to the North Shore yesterday and that was quite reasonable to me and the services were excellent. Translink's model is not necessarily the one to emulate for any future regional Calgary model. Too much politics and municipal self-interest invloved there.

[ummagumma66]

I heard an interesting rumor today at work, and I was looking for a little confirmation, as some of you know I work at CrossIron Mills as one of the senior supervisors for security, anyways, I heard the the LRT was supposed to be running up to CIM in the very near future. Is there any truth to that little rumor?

[frinkprof]

^Not that I have heard, and I would be surprised if it was. Especially the "very near future" part.

Perhaps someone is confusing the Saddleridge extension of the NELRT as going all the way out there. Either that, or someone has heard something to do with the regional rail proposal and is speculating or mistaken that it will all be happening very soon.

[ummagumma66]

I figured as much.

[para transit fellow]

There is a right of way for the LRT from saddleridge to Xiron Mills and possibly on towards airdrie but I was under the impression it was to be in the 15-20 year timeframe before we see it.

[You Need A Thneed]

^ Yup, there is a right of way that extends the NE LRT all the up past CrossIron Mills. It isn't however, going to be extended up there anytime very near in the future. I would guess 20-30 years minimum.

[mersar]

The right of way also will be on the west side of Deerfoot, the somewhat decided on parts go as far as Stonegate (east of Deerfoot, south of Stoney) after coming east along 128th ave from Skyview Ranch, but there was some mention in a report or map a while back indicating it would likely cross back over Deerfoot into the part of west Balzac thats actually in the city limits.

[You Need A Thneed]

Originally Posted by mersar

The right of way also will be on the west side of Deerfoot, the somewhat decided on parts go as far as Stonegate (east of Deerfoot, south of Stoney) after coming east along 128th ave from Skyview Ranch, but there was some mention in a report or map a while back indicating it would likely cross back over Deerfoot into the part of west Balzac thats actually in the city limits.

That's not what the Balzac land use planning maps show. They show the NE LRT getting extended pretty much straight North up the 36th Street corridor (halfway between Deerfoot and Metis), straight North from Stonegate. It doesn't cross to the west side of Deerfoot at all.

Of course, the city documents may disagree, and who knows what is most up to date.

[jeffwhit]

Originally Posted by You Need A Thneed

^ Yup, there is a right of way that extends the NE LRT all the up past CrossIron Mills. It isn't however, going to be extended up there anytime very near in the future. I would guess 20-30 years minimum.

I really hope that serving CIM isn't a priority for the LRT. Yes, I am one of those people who has an irrational hate-on for that place, but seriously.

[fusili]

Originally Posted by jeffwhit

I really hope that serving CIM isn't a priority for the LRT. Yes, I am one of those people who has an irrational hate-on for that place, but seriously.

Or the fact that it is in the MD of Rockyview. Why would Calgary Transit provide service to Rockyview?

[You Need A Thneed]

Originally Posted by fusili

Or the fact that it is in the MD of Rockyview. Why would Calgary Transit provide service to Rockyview?

Obviously, the MD of Rockyview would have to pay for the extension whenever it happens, that's why.

By the time this extension is likely to be built, the area will be a huge employment area. Let's not talk about this extension like it's going to be built this year.

[MasterG]

Originally Posted by jeffwhit

I really hope that serving CIM isn't a priority for the LRT. Yes, I am one of those people who has an irrational hate-on for that place, but seriously.

I agree. I do think that an eventual regional rail proposal should make a point of including a stop at the mall. Anything to cut down on car traffic in the Airdrie - CIM -Downtown corridor. Correct me if I am mistaken, but i think the current freight rail line is fairly close, albeit on the other side of the QE2.

The regional rail link could also put a stop in the vicinity of the Airport Trail interchange, to connect to a Airport bus service. Perhaps a stop there could also be integrated to provide downtown rail access from harvest hills/panorama area, that would otherwise require the NCLRT instead. I think that area would probably attract the majority of riders on the NCLRT, as areas further in are mainly light industrial with few trip-generators along the proposed route. Could the higher capacity regional rail be used instead of the LRT, considering most people would be boarding in the far north? Thoughts?

[para transit fellow]

Originally Posted by fusili

Or the fact that it is in the MD of Rockyview. Why would Calgary Transit provide service to Rockyview?

Same reason Cagary Transit is supposed to be providing BRT service to Airdrie in fall 2010 -- the municipality is going to pay Calgary Transit to do it (somehow).

[Northski]

From the CRTP:

In the very long term (i.e., 20 years plus), building a City of Calgary LRT line to the north and possibly
extending it to Balzac and Airdrie, and building an east LRT along 17th Avenue and extending it to the
east to Chestermere. Note: An LRT line extension to the north to Balzac and Airdrie would be
dependent upon the level and pace of intensification and mixed-use development along either side of the
Highway 2 corridor between Calgary and Airdrie. It would also depend on whether commuter rail service
to Balzac and Airdrie more appropriately meets the needs of these communities and the corridor north of
the City of Calgary and is built before a Calgary North LRT line. Peak period commuter rail service with
service to a few key destinations and higher speeds to Airdrie in the medium to long-term may better
serve the travel needs of the area than an all-day lower speed LRT service with more stops; and
Building strategically located regional park-and-ride facilities.

[KrisYYC]

Originally Posted by jeffwhit

I really hope that serving CIM isn't a priority for the LRT. Yes, I am one of those people who has an irrational hate-on for that place, but seriously.

I'd be furious if they made plans to run the LRT to mallzac while ignoring the airport.

[frinkprof]

^The airport has already pretty much been "ignored." If you're speaking strictly about the NE LRT line that is.