Calgary Public Transit II

[fusili]

Originally Posted by Wooster

I would much prefer if the BRT was simply rebranded along with other routes as "fast & frequent" services. Perhaps unique liveries are useful, but more than that I think things like the stop/station amenities need to go beyond the bus stop painted red. It needs things like real-time arrival information embedded at the station, enhanced waiting areas, wayfinding, better route information etc. Also operationally, much more dedicated bus lanes, signal priority etc.

Look at TransLink for how they've really effectively branded, communicated that kind of service - "B-Line"

We've been talking a lot about that in RouteAhead planning.

The entire "branding" process is incredibly important. We will look at maps, stations and the system name in later TransitCamp posts. I agree that BRT is a poor term (it is really a technical term, not a lay term) and we really need to look at branding our fast and frequent network as a whole.

The more I think about what RouteAhead needs to accomplish, the more I am convinced it is really about creating a "high frequency network" with all the associated branding, operational improvements, information enhancements and amenities.

[Elbownian]

Originally Posted by fusili

The more I think about what RouteAhead needs to accomplish, the more I am convinced it is really about creating a "high frequency network" with all the associated branding, operational improvements, information enhancements and amenities.

100% agreed. Frequency is everything. If the objective is get transit users to make spontaneous trips (ie. Hey, we're out of milk!), a frequency of ten minutes or less is pretty much a must. It makes it feasible to just walk to the stop and wait for the next bus, rather than having to check a schedule.

I must admit, I don't see a whole lot of value in the current psuedo-BRT. From what I've seen, only one route (305 EB) shows any marked improvement in trip length at peak, and off peak there's no real difference at all. Is it actually worth having a whole different service running parallel to existing mainlines if it doesn't provide a substantial time benefit, or would it make more sense to just increase capacity on the existing services (Routes 1,2 and 3)?

Then again, if shaving off 2-3 minutes provides enough of an incentive to get more people using transit, I suppose that's an added value.

[Offside_Ref]

I've always wondered if peak-only express/limited stop services on existing routes would be beneficial in some situations in Calgary. I take the bus very often, but I have seen multiple #20 buses in and out of the UofC bunch up because they're skipping ahead of each other at every other stop. Since they run fairly frequently during that time anyways (at least when university is in session), something like at least every 5 minutes for an hour or so, what is everyone's opinion of taking out a couple buses from local service and branding them as limited stop versions of the same route?

Granted, you run into signage problems and other things, but it's essentially what exists for the 1/305 and the 3/301 right now, especially since the 305 only runs in rush hour. It could be something to start the ball rolling on new "BRT" routes, or at least on routes that have very heavy demand between two points and almost nothing in between.

[Elbownian]

While a dedicated limited stop/express service makes sense in theory, can it actually go all that much faster if it's still stuck in the same traffic as the regular buses?

[Cage]

Originally Posted by Elbownian

While a dedicated limited stop/express service makes sense in theory, can it actually go all that much faster if it's still stuck in the same traffic as the regular buses?

If the service is a true express/limited stop service, then its entirely possible for BRT to be faster than traditional service. Take Bow Trail as an example. The BRT could be express along the entire line from Westbrook Mall to West of Sarcee, the buses would then be free to travel aling the center line and avoid the local buses that stop at each intersection area.

[RyLucky]

Ha! Great article. I never thought about it until now, but I am happier to ride the red bus than one with the old design. Was it a mistake, or did BRT red buses improve the perception of all red buses? I'm not sure.

Originally Posted by fusili

Transitcamp Blog Post: The Red Bus Goes Fast- Mistakes in Branding.

http://transitcamp.ca/2012/06/21/the-red-bus-goes-fast-mistakes-in-branding/

Feedback always appreciated.

[DizzyEdge]

I thought the red design was simply the new branding for all of CT and the BRT buses simply got the branding first because they were the newest purchases, and CT wasn't going to rebrand existing hardware.

[mersar]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

I thought the red design was simply the new branding for all of CT and the BRT buses simply got the branding first because they were the newest purchases, and CT wasn't going to rebrand existing hardware.

Correct. The red branding came initially with the series 7 LRV's and the initial order of D60LFR buses, I seem to recall this was part of the funding agreement with the province for some reason. About a year later when they ordered the next set of buses (can't recall if it was the EZ-Rider or 40' D40LFR) buses they then decided to start using it on all the new buses, but older buses that needed body work and repainting were redone in the classic color scheme instead of the new scheme. The SD160 LRV's however have slowly been transitioned to the newer scheme though there are a few left in the old. The U2 LRV's will remain in the old until retirement.

[mersar]

Plans are out for the extensions of Fish Creek and Heritage stations to 4 LRV.

Heritage
Fish Creek-Lacombe

Kind of interesting way of changing Fish Creek - Move the staircase off the platform to the other side of the track, building ramps down to an at-grade crossing at the south end of the outbound track and then extend the platform to the new at-grade crossing.

Heritage is pretty simple in comparison, just extend it south and move the crossing. Heritage does require getting rid of wheelchair access during construction though so some people will complain.

[Wigs]

Transit geeks, have your say in trying to name Edmonton's LRT lines

[fusili]

Originally Posted by WIGS

Transit geeks, have your say in trying to name Edmonton's LRT lines

Awsome that the Transit Agency is doing that. Something similar should be done for Calgary..... (stay tuned for this weeks Transitcamp Blog )

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by fusili

Awsome that the Transit Agency is doing that. Something similar should be done for Calgary..... (stay tuned for this weeks Transitcamp Blog )

Hope you haven't written too much yet. CT is going to go with colours for the LRT lines instead of "201" and "202," I've been told. Although yet to be finalized, red and blue are the likely colours for the current lines.

[fusili]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

Hope you haven't written too much yet. CT is going to go with colours for the LRT lines instead of "201" and "202," I've been told. Although yet to be finalized, red and blue are the likely colours for the current lines.

Woot woot! (Actually the blog won't be on route naming, you will see tomorrow). Colour lines are awesome and you can get quite a few with basic colours. Here are some ideas:

Red- NW/S LRT
Blue- NE/W LRT
Green- SE/NC LRT

Orange- 16th AV Crosstown
Purple- Westbrook/Heritage/Foothills Industrial
Yellow- Bowness/Forest Lawn
Grey- 52nd Street E
Brown- Somerset/South Hospital

After this you get into "light" or "dark" colours or things like "turquoise"

[Full Mountain]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

Hope you haven't written too much yet. CT is going to go with colours for the LRT lines instead of "201" and "202," I've been told. Although yet to be finalized, red and blue are the likely colours for the current lines.

Glad to hear that!

[DarkKeyo]

Originally Posted by fusili

Woot woot! (Actually the blog won't be on route naming, you will see tomorrow). Colour lines are awesome and you can get quite a few with basic colours. Here are some ideas:

Red- NW/S LRT
Blue- NE/W LRT
Green- SE/NC LRT

Orange- 16th AV Crosstown
Purple- Westbrook/Heritage/Foothills Industrial
Yellow- Bowness/Forest Lawn
Grey- 52nd Street E
Brown- Somerset/South Hospital

After this you get into "light" or "dark" colours or things like "turquoise"

I think this is a very good idea. 201 and 202 have more of a 'bus route' feel and less of a 'train/bus rapid transit' feel.

I would like to point out that, on the CTrain maps, NW/S is already blue (and was referred to as the 'blue line' when it opened, as far as I know), and NE/W is already maroon-red. And, since I saw a new version of that map on train #2336 (an updated version with smoother lines and font, and lots of space left for Martindale and Saddletowne), they're keeping that colour scheme for a while. The map didn't have space for the WLRT, though, so they may do another map entirely when that opens.

[RyLucky]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

Hope you haven't written too much yet. CT is going to go with colours for the LRT lines instead of "201" and "202," I've been told. Although yet to be finalized, red and blue are the likely colours for the current lines.

About time! Colours are the way to go.

[fusili]

Next TransitCamp blog post: What should we call the Primary Transit Network? Share your thoughts.

http://transitcamp.ca/2012/06/27/whats-in-a-name-labelling-the-primary-transit-network/

[Wooster]

Originally Posted by fusili

Next TransitCamp blog post: What should we call the Primary Transit Network? Share your thoughts.

http://transitcamp.ca/2012/06/27/whats-in-a-name-labelling-the-primary-transit-network/

CART - Calgary Area Rapid Transit?? Includes a smooth transition into regional service (whenever that happens) from a branding persepctive.

[fusili]

Originally Posted by Wooster

CART - Calgary Area Rapid Transit?? Includes a smooth transition into regional service (whenever that happens) from a branding persepctive.

Ha ha. I actually thought of that too, kind of like the BART, or DART.

You should post it in the comments, so we can include it in the poll next week.

[You Need A Thneed]

Marge: What should we call the baby? How about Larry?
Homer: Not that! They will call him Larry Schmarry!
Marge: Michael?
Homer: Of course not! The kids will call him Michael Dike-el!
Marge: How about Bart?
Homer: Hmm, let me see... (talking to himself while counting fingers on his hand...) Cart... Dart... Eart... Nope, cannot find anything that rhymes with that.