Calgary Public Transit II - Page 234

mersar · #**4661** Posted **Mar 2, 2012, 5:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigcanuck

So, a question about monthly pass options with the new connect system... It indicates that tapping the card will "...recognize that you have a valid pass" - so does that mean you can purchase a monthly pass via the MyConnect website? For frequent riders, a monthly pass is typically a cheaper option than per trip payment.

I believe that is the plan. Plus the ability to auto-reload and we will have a very seamless system and far less hassle then having to go buy a new pass each month.

5seconds · #**4662** Posted **Mar 3, 2012, 1:52 AM**

Calgary Transit has finalised the Bus routes that are changing in the wake of the WestLRT opening.

http://www.calgarytransit.com/html/west_lrt.html

ByeByeBaby · #**4663** Posted **Mar 3, 2012, 4:14 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by You Need A Thneed

Saddletowne station will be the first terminal station in Calgary to not have a large Park and Ride (only ~130 stalls). I wonder how early in the morning it's going to fill up to capacity.

I've made a couple of rough maps comparing Park and Ride in the south versus the Northeast. Here's the album. The colours show approximate catchments for Park and Ride stations (white for people who are so close to a station I doubt they'd park and ride - they'd just walk). I assume that people aren't likely to backtrack too much, that is, go north to Saddletowne to get on a southbound train; it's both psychologically backwards as well as could take longer considering ride time. Basically, the only people who will park at Saddle Ridge are residents of Saddle Ridge and the north part of Taradale. Something on the order of 16-20K residents. I estimate on the order of 30K for Westwinds.

On the terminal station at Somerset, I'd estimate 45K versus 14K for Shawnessy and 20K for Fish Creek. That doesn't include the 60K people living east of the Bow River, who may take 22X to park and ride at Somerset (15K each in Mackenzie Towne, Mackenzie Lake, Cranston/Auburn and New Brighton/Copperfield), or the 25K people in Okotoks. But even as the terminal Somerset has 900 stalls and 13,000 riders -- so park and ride is a small portion of the ridership.

Saddletowne is close to Shawnessy in capacity (130 vs 200 stalls) and not that much bigger in terms of market. In the long run, as Saddle Ridge and Skyview build out, the demand will increase, and I'd expect to see the lot get busier and busier. But it may be okay for the short term, and I believe the next station at 96th Avenue has a much more substantial park and ride.

ByeByeBaby · #**4664** Posted **Mar 3, 2012, 4:20 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5seconds

Calgary Transit has finalised the Bus routes that are changing in the wake of the WestLRT opening.

That #82 is bizarre. Is there a large market of people in northern Westgate and Rosscarrock that won't walk five blocks, but will walk two blocks to a bus? I didn't see any old age homes in a two-second google maps check.

DarkKeyo · #**4665** Posted **Mar 3, 2012, 5:54 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5seconds

Calgary Transit has finalised the Bus routes that are changing in the wake of the WestLRT opening.

http://www.calgarytransit.com/html/west_lrt.html

I have quite a lot to say about this, surprisingly.

It's nice to see the Westbrook-Chinook BRT given a number, 303. The switching places of the 17 and 403 is interesting, and making route 6 run roughly its original routing makes more sense than having that part be the 106, and the 6 run from Westbrook to further southwest.

There are a lot of things I don't understand. Where is the 301 from downtown to MRU that was on the previous version?
(I know several MRU students who were looking forward to it.) How did the 101 and 104 end up so long, and circuitous? I'm not sure of the point of the 82 either, but if there is one, it seems like a better candidate for a community shuttle route, number 400-something.

I also see that there is no confirmation in that document that the line may open as planned in December.

On a related note, are they still opening the Saddletown extension a few months before the WestLRT?

JBinCalgary · #**4666** Posted **Mar 3, 2012, 7:59 AM**

what are the daily ridership numbers for calgary transit?

andasen · #**4667** Posted **Mar 3, 2012, 8:17 AM**

Quote:

How did the 101 and 104 end up so long, and circuitous?

Serval routes merged which makes the new route more flexible in terms of frequency. ie the 101 = Coach hill-69 Station Route, 69th Street-Westhills-45th, 45th-Westbrook via Spruce Drive (not sure which is the dominant community this runs through.) Longer routes mean that frequency can be more responsive to demand because the only 1 new bus to slightly increase frequency instead of 3 new buses for each route to massively increase frequency to levels which the area doesn't have to ridership to justify it.

mersar · #**4668** Posted **Mar 3, 2012, 6:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkKeyo

There are a lot of things I don't understand. Where is the 301 from downtown to MRU that was on the previous version?

Replaced by the 18 which in the future will be upgraded to closer to BRT (was in the news last week about this, essentially the 18 will be pretty rapid anyways since its mostly on Crowchild)

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkKeyo

I also see that there is no confirmation in that document that the line may open as planned in December.

Nothing officially has been said, latest official word was its delayed until Spring but unofficially its back on track for December

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkKeyo

On a related note, are they still opening the Saddletown extension a few months before the WestLRT?

Yes, in late September is what I've heard.

5seconds · #**4669** Posted **Mar 3, 2012, 6:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mersar

Replaced by the 18 which in the future will be upgraded to closer to BRT (was in the news last week about this, essentially the 18 will be pretty rapid anyways since its mostly on Crowchild)

Here's the article:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/Express+service+delayed/6214176/story.html

Well that answers my questions about the 18. In the last 2 open houses, they had radically reworked the 18. The first had it originate at Chinook, through Lakeview and MRU and into Currie Barracks. The next iteration had it starting Downtown, up 14th street, across 33rd through Marda Loop, through the Currie Barracks to MRU and Lakeview.

I assume that the 18 re-work only made sense with a 'parallel' BRT, which is apparently no longer happening (for now).

What I don't understand is why the 18 is now being turned around 5 blocks earlier downtown (It turns around on 1st street SW right now, but the PDF of the new route shows it turning around on 6th street SW). There was talk of having the 18 extend as far as the new Library site at one point, not sure why they went the other way with it.

Mersar, do you have any info about upgrades to this route? Much of it is already in transit lanes along Crowchild, but are you talking about an increase of frequency, or extended buses?

mersar · #**4670** Posted **Mar 3, 2012, 7:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5seconds

Mersar, do you have any info about upgrades to this route? Much of it is already in transit lanes along Crowchild, but are you talking about an increase of frequency, or extended buses?

All I know is what was in the article. From my take on it in the future they want to use bigger buses with fewer stops and separate it from traffic, but that won't be any time soon for at least the latter part.

5seconds · #**4671** Posted **Mar 3, 2012, 8:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mersar

All I know is what was in the article. From my take on it in the future they want to use bigger buses with fewer stops and separate it from traffic, but that won't be any time soon for at least the latter part.

There were some articulated buses spotted in Lakeview, which leads me to believe they were doing trials of how the larger buses navigate the streets of Lakeview for the number 18 route.

I would like to see a more express-like service to MRU (provided existing routes can service the stops that would be removed) and then maintained service through Lakeview. Hopefully they can get a level of service approaching the BRT this way.

You Need A Thneed · #**4672** Posted **Mar 7, 2012, 4:23 PM**

I know it's only two more wires, but something about the new catenary system looks like it's way more wires than before.

Enmax has been making good progress on catenary installation for the NE extention. With better weather hopefully sticking around, it probably won't be very long until it's done.

MalcolmTucker · #**4673** Posted **Mar 7, 2012, 5:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by You Need A Thneed

I know it's only two more wires, but something about the new catenary system looks like it's way more wires than before.

Enmax has been making good progress on catenary installation for the NE extention. With better weather hopefully sticking around, it probably won't be very long until it's done.

More vertical connections?

You Need A Thneed · #**4674** Posted **Mar 7, 2012, 5:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

More vertical connections?

I don't think that there are any more vertical connections, no.

Full Mountain · #**4675** Posted **Mar 7, 2012, 7:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by You Need A Thneed

I know it's only two more wires, but something about the new catenary system looks like it's way more wires than before.

Enmax has been making good progress on catenary installation for the NE extention. With better weather hopefully sticking around, it probably won't be very long until it's done.

I noticed this on the weekend, what's the purpose of the second set of wires? reliablity?

You Need A Thneed · #**4676** Posted **Mar 7, 2012, 7:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Full Mountain

I noticed this on the weekend, what's the purpose of the second set of wires? reliablity?

The extra wire is to help supply the extra power required to run 4 car trains. In the next couple of years, all of the catenary in the system will be upgraded to what is being seen for the NE extention and the West LRT.

RyLucky · #**4677** Posted **Mar 7, 2012, 7:35 PM**

The 20 use to connect the SW to Foothills. I guess there 72 would take you within a 15 minute walk... that or take the train to Lions Park and grab a 91 or 40?

mersar · #**4678** Posted **Mar 7, 2012, 8:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyLucky

The 20 use to connect the SW to Foothills. I guess there 72 would take you within a 15 minute walk... that or take the train to Lions Park and grab a 91 or 40?

Huh?

The 20 still goes to the Foothills

fusili · #**4679** Posted **Mar 7, 2012, 8:18 PM**

Has this been posted yet:

Calgary Transit's Long Range Strategic Plan

http://www.routeahead.ca/

5seconds · #**4680** Posted **Mar 7, 2012, 8:38 PM**

Calgary Transit are handing out a notice on the 305. The 305 is being cut way back, and will only be operating at peak times. The number 1 is having it's frequency increased in the off-peak times to make up for it.

Part of their budget cuts.