Calgary Public Transit II

[Innersoul1]

HA! Love the the houses that are practically humping the Martindale Station. I can just imagine the MLS listings now... "Just steps away from public transit"

[RicoLance21]

Originally Posted by mersar

Pretty much. A decrease of I believe it was 8 actual seats, but a theoretical carrying capacity increase of close to 40 people or so.

40 people increase with all foldable seats folded up? I wonder if the train is packed, would a seated passenger get up and fold the seats to let more people in?

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by kw5150

I used to loathe this new design.....but now I have accepted it. It looks like there are way more areas to hang on to something while standing. The older trains will still be running as well so you will get a surprise everyday. One day old train cars....next day new train cars......

Yeah, it's going to remind me of when the SD160s really came online. Some days one seat type, the next day the other. Which is happening again as more and more U2s seem back on the NW line during rush hour. Now we'll get 3 options!

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by RicoLance21

40 people increase with all foldable seats folded up? I wonder if the train is packed, would a seated passenger get up and fold the seats to let more people in?

Wait - seriously?

This could get ugly. Fortunately most Canadians are far too polite to actually do or say anything about it.

Because no, I have a very hard time believing many seated passengers will just suddenly stand up to make a tiny bit more room. If anything, I'd be first in line trying to clear space to fold a seat DOWN to allow a pregnant/older rider to sit.

[DarkKeyo]

The new style of seats don't make it feel like the trains are any bigger inside (and are rather uncomfortable). I really like the station signs inside and extra destination signs outside though, it makes it feel like a better class of transit system.

[mersar]

Couple more videos of the new LRV's in service:

Side interior stop/destination displays: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19I7uMgVTX4

End stop/destination displays: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXJaahAmFeg

[RicoLance21]

Originally Posted by freeweed

Wait - seriously?

This could get ugly. Fortunately most Canadians are far too polite to actually do or say anything about it.

Because no, I have a very hard time believing many seated passengers will just suddenly stand up to make a tiny bit more room. If anything, I'd be first in line trying to clear space to fold a seat DOWN to allow a pregnant/older rider to sit.

Ok, I didn't say anything about pregnant/older rider, which I would have give them priority seating by common sense. Also, I wonder if the foldable seats be spring-loaded, so they are up when no one is sitting.

[mersar]

Originally Posted by RicoLance21

Ok, I didn't say anything about pregnant/older rider, which I would have give them priority seating by common sense. Also, I wonder if the foldable seats be spring-loaded, so they are up when no one is sitting.

The two benches beside the wheelchair doors are spring loaded and fold automatically. The other two benches do not fold at all (they have a heater below them).

[srperrycgy]

I found another Transit video to share from YouTube:

• Video Link

This time-lapse video shows the CTrain trip from Crowfoot to Somerset-Bridlewood. This trip typically takes just under an hour, but is complete in this video in just over 5 minutes.

[RicoLance21]

Originally Posted by RicoLance21

40 people increase with all foldable seats folded up?

So they do fold up automatically. OK, my bad. I shouldn't have asked; that's Captain Obvious' question...but otherwise unintentionally.

[RicoLance21]

double post...

[Socguy]

While I realize that many of you might not care about Edmonton's LRT expansion, they've just posted a rendering of the next stage of the expansion and it's kind of neat to listen to the narrator talk about how the stations were designed with different functions in mind. So, for those of you that are interested, here's the animation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z7lxAzpH48&feature=player_embedded

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by RicoLance21

Ok, I didn't say anything about pregnant/older rider, which I would have give them priority seating by common sense. Also, I wonder if the foldable seats be spring-loaded, so they are up when no one is sitting.

Sorry, that came out wrong - I wasn't questioning your comment specifically. I was questioning the wisdom of having folding-optional seats on a train like this. Seems like a recipe for arguments.

And don't feel bad for asking about them - it's not exactly obvious that some auto-fold (this is news to me too).

[Riise]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

Is the 'pro' for the new cars that less seating = more people per car? -> less of a wait to get on during rush hour?

Another advantage is the improvement to the walkability of the trains; it will be much easier to walk along the aisles.

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

Like Freeweed I used to take the train years ago and just 'see the city' as it rolled by, something not as easy in the new cars.

During off-peak hours one will still be able to look out the near window, it will simply be a matter of posture.

[YYCguys]

Originally Posted by srperrycgy

This time-lapse video shows the CTrain trip from Crowfoot to Somerset-Bridlewood. This trip typically takes just under an hour, but is complete in this video in just over 5 minutes.

If only it was really this quick!

[reflexzero]

Originally Posted by Riise

During off-peak hours one will still be able to look out the near window, it will simply be a matter of posture.

I ride the NE line, and spend most of it trying to avoid having my face being compressed into someone else's armpit, and that is after switching my schedule to get on the train to go home at 3:45pm to avoid the post 4:00 suprise buttsecks and crazy people giving sermons.

On another note, what do you suppose is the realistic property value benefit to those houses right next to the Martindale platforms? -20%? How about compared to those houses that are a block away, or two blocks away?

[Radley77]

Originally Posted by reflexzero

I ride the NE line, and spend most of it trying to avoid having my face being compressed into someone else's armpit, and that is after switching my schedule to get on the train to go home at 3:45pm to avoid the post 4:00 suprise buttsecks and crazy people giving sermons.

On another note, what do you suppose is the realistic property value benefit to those houses right next to the Martindale platforms? -20%? How about compared to those houses that are a block away, or two blocks away?

There is a pretty good summary of the research out their on property values and proximity to LRT in this report:

The Calgary Transportation Effect
http://www.albertarein.com/portals/0/calgary-transportation-report.pdf
Published by: Real Estate Investment Network

[MalcolmTucker]

I would say it all depends on whether bells go in.

[You Need A Thneed]

Originally Posted by Sir.Humphrey.Appleby

I would say it all depends on whether bells go in.

Bells are mandatory, no? Blind people can't see flashing lights.

I should note too, that at the other crossing of Martindale Blvd, houses are every bit as close to the crossing, plus trains will not stop before going through that crossing as they will at Martindale station.

[Canadian74]

Originally Posted by YYCguys

If only it was really this quick!

I think in some highly populated Asian cities, rapid transit trains travel at upto 150km/hr.
Calgary Transit doesn't go beyond 70-80km/hr although the new Series 8 trains are capable of over 100km/hr.