Calgary Public Transit II

[freeweed]

frink, that's way WAY WAAAAAAY off base.

On delays - bull, complete bull. A 20 minute delay implies that the entire train line is not moving for 20 minutes. 3 times a week? Please. I think it happens about once a month for me in the winter. I've NEVER EVER seen an hour long delay, unless the entire system is shut down due to an accident or massive power failure. That's not a delay, that's "you get on the transit shuttle bus and ride a few stops down". That MIGHT happen once a year.

On heat - bull. Some days it's intolerably hot for me, but I'm the type who finds 20C too warm unless I'm in shorts. I have a hard time believing anyone passes out on the C-Train unless they have major medical problems.

On headway - downtown during the rush is almost always < 5 mins. Coming in from the burbs, same thing.

Again, these people are implying that ALL trains are stopped for ridiculous lengths of time. Not possible, the platforms would be jam-packed.

These people are just hyperbolic whiners.

[mersar]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

Now, is it just me or is this way off base? Not saying delays don't occur, but nearly every day, for 20+ minutes? Maybe during the work-to-rule situation in 2007? Passing out on trains? Is that a common occurance?

I take the train pretty much every day, and maybe once a week theres a 5-10 minute delay, and even then usually not even as bad as they say. The worst I've had so far this year was about 30 minutes after a train stalled in the Crowchild tunnel. Half the time even when they say theres a delay you don't notice it, as if the entire system is running 10 minutes behind its still running with the same frequency for the most part.

I've never seen someone pass out due to the heat, and if anything on the SD160's at least there should never be a problem with the new HVAC systems they've installed. I've never even heard of a 4 hour delay, usually once its been 30 minutes and they know things aren't improving they start arranging shuttles. Only way I can even phathom 4 hours is if it was during the work to rule campaign.

[frinkprof]

Nevermind.

[frinkprof]

Nevermind.

[xAnderblaze]

So when is the 8th Ave subway study going to be released?

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by fusili

I know a girl who takes the 301 to work (our BRT). She says in bad weather it is consistently 20 minutes late. Ridiculous for a supposed rapid transit system.

Subtle bragging about knowing a girl post.

[mersar]

Originally Posted by xAnderblaze

So when is the 8th Ave subway study going to be released?

Later this year I believe is the latest ETA thats been mentioned.

[faxri]

Originally Posted by freeweed

frink, that's way WAY WAAAAAAY off base.

On delays - bull, complete bull. A 20 minute delay implies that the entire train line is not moving for 20 minutes. 3 times a week? Please. I think it happens about once a month for me in the winter. I've NEVER EVER seen an hour long delay, unless the entire system is shut down due to an accident or massive power failure. That's not a delay, that's "you get on the transit shuttle bus and ride a few stops down". That MIGHT happen once a year.

On heat - bull. Some days it's intolerably hot for me, but I'm the type who finds 20C too warm unless I'm in shorts. I have a hard time believing anyone passes out on the C-Train unless they have major medical problems.

On headway - downtown during the rush is almost always < 5 mins. Coming in from the burbs, same thing.

Again, these people are implying that ALL trains are stopped for ridiculous lengths of time. Not possible, the platforms would be jam-packed.

These people are just hyperbolic whiners.

Sorry but I disagree with you, now while it isnt as bad as the first poster mentioned, it can be pretty much a shot in the dark in the winter on what time I get home at.

There are a lot of times that I have sat either in a Ctrain or waiting for one due to weather, train breakdown, emergency etc. I have been on 4 trains already since April that have had a medical emergency. Just yesterday I sat downtown on a train for 15 minutes before it moved (no clue what the problem is, and yes the platforms were jammed packed).

At least once a week I am late because of something happening on the train, now driving is a million times worse so really cant really complain too much

[Radley77]

C-Train in LEGO! Ingenious!

• Video Link

Credit: Youtube User - DuffAndrew

[frinkprof]

Nevermind.

[mersar]

According to reports on CPTDB car 2090 had an electrical fire this morning. If you recall thats the recently restored car from two previously retired cars.

[You Need A Thneed]

Originally Posted by mersar

According to reports on CPTDB car 2090 had an electrical fire this morning. If you recall thats the recently restored car from two previously retired cars.

Not a good sign for a rebuilt car like that. It might be out of commission for a while, would be my guess.

[bigcanuck]

What's a Code Yellow? On the bus ride home last night, the phone operator asked all drivers to avoid using the telephone as they were in a Code Yellow situation.

[frinkprof]

Nevermind.

[hulkrogan]

Too bad, was really excited for the proposed Route 9 changes. Would have made it a much more useful/sensible route in my opinion.

I won't complain though, as I've never not had my own seat because the Bridgeland leg of that route is totally under utilized. If you live closer to the train station, there is no reason to ever take the #9.

[fusili]

A streetcar his desire

Outdoor plumbing, anesthetic-free dentistry, and leeches for what ails you.

Painful, uncomfortable and obsolete — it’s why the past is usually best left there, gathering dust and fondly remembered only by the kind of people who wax nostalgic about Depression-era soup kitchens.

And then there are streetcars.

Of all the conveniences of turn-of-the-century Calgary, the streetcar system is something to admire.

The system which once connected far-flung corners of the city is a relic of the past which makes the present look like a giant step backwards.

...

And by future, we’re only talking five to 10 years: That’s the ideal starting date for Calgary’s return to streetcar glory, if a group of Beltline planners and visionaries get their way.

The $110-million streetcar project, as presented last week at the Beltline Communities Open House, is a modern version of the old tram system, and it even follows the same route.

“We came up with a very conceptualized plan for a Beltline streetcar,” said Peter Schryvers, community planner with Beltline Communities.
...

[email protected]

Link

Well, at least the streetcar system is getting some media attention now.

[ue]

^Wow, that sounds awesome. Edmonton seems uninterested in a modern streetcar, sadly. Instead it seems we'll be hooking up most (future or current) destinations like Whyte Ave, Oliver, Quarters, etc. just by low floor LRT.

I have a question for you Calgarians. I heard once that Calgary's LRT actually stops at red lights much like private vehicles do and it can cause huge delays, especially in rush hour. Is that true? If so that sucks because that sounds more streetcar-like than LRT-like. How bad are delays on the C-Train usually?

[frinkprof]

Nevermind.

[frinkprof]

Nevermind.

[freeweed]

To be fair, most of the C-Trains "stops" for red lights coincide with stations. I notice when I ride through downtown that the lights are timed pretty well on 7th Ave, so that the train stops at a station, deals with boardings etc, and then pulls away when the light turns green. It usually makes it to the next station without stopping.

A red light might add a few seconds to a "stop", but nothing compared to the delays caused by morons standing in the doorway, holding doors for their friends, guys who forget you can't fit a bike on a packed train, etc.

In short: stopping for red lights on the LRT seems like a complete non-issue in actual practice.