Calgary Public Transit II

[artvandelay]

Originally Posted by 5seconds

Lowering the LRT speed in the new NE section because residents think it will kill someone?

http://www.calgaryherald.com/speeds+dropped+stations+after+residents+outcry/7130579/story.html

First, who approved that decision, and second, who ever allowed a Neighbourhood/LRT ROW to be designed in a way that would even raise that possibility?

90 to 50, brutal. I would be pissed if I was a commuter in the NE. Did the people who live in these communities not realize the massive LRT ROW through the neighborhood before they moved there?

[frinkprof]

This is a bit of theatre, really. The residents think that they have been given a concession, but the thing is that the trains would likely not be going much over 50 there anyway.

In almost every case, they would be slowing down to go through the switch to change sides to go into the station. For the trains headng inbound, they would still be accelerating out of Saddletowne Station at that point and staying at 50 or below wouldn't be much of a drop off in speed from where they would be anyway.

After Saddletowne is no longer the terminus over a decade from now, the speed through this section will probably be increased (perhaps not to the maximum) and not nearly as many people will be up in arms about it.

[You Need A Thneed]

Originally Posted by artvandelay

90 to 50, brutal. I would be pissed if I was a commuter in the NE. Did the people who live in these communities not realize the massive LRT ROW through the neighborhood before they moved there?

It can't be from 90 kph, the trains can only go 80kph.

Hopefully, a review of the east road crossing through Martindale provides some changes that satisfy the community, and then the speed limit can be raised again.

[fusili]

Ridership goals for Calgary Transit? The newest post on TransitCamp's blog:

http://transitcamp.ca/2012/08/23/ridership-goals-for-calgary-transit/

[Cage]

Originally Posted by artvandelay

Did the people who live in these communities not realize the massive LRT ROW through the neighborhood before they moved there?

Martindale has been around since the 80s. There is a good chance that up until 4 years ago all realtors were saying "don't worry about the LRT space, its a nice greenbelt and separation from backyard neighbours. The city has no plans to expand the LRT and no money to fund the expansion."

I remember looking at a place in the Hamptons about 14 years ago. The realtor mentioned that there was an LRT ROW close by, this was listed as a selling feature. Asked how the LRT was going to get across Nose Hill. Realtor mentioned a new LRT line up center street was going to be built " in the next 5-10 years."

[Cage]

Originally Posted by fusili

Ridership goals for Calgary Transit?

I would like to see a split ridership goal for Calgary Transit. Something like 60% of downtown destined commuters use transit plus 25% of non downtown destined commuters.

Alternately drop the downtown goal reference and focus solely on out of downtown commuters (e.g. Universities, high schools, office parks, industrial areas).

[fusili]

Originally Posted by Cage

I would like to see a split ridership goal for Calgary Transit. Something like 60% of downtown destined commuters use transit plus 25% of non downtown destined commuters.

Alternately drop the downtown goal reference and focus solely on out of downtown commuters (e.g. Universities, high schools, office parks, industrial areas).

I thought of that too. Based on downtown transit growth, I can see 65% being a realistic goal for 2025. Its 51% already, and that is without the West LRT. I could see the SETWAY and one more LRT line by 2025 really pushing ridership up.

The real challenge will be the non-downtown growth. This is where I see upgrades to limited stop/BRT service really creating ridership to Universities/Hospitals/Business Parks/Industrial Areas.

[DizzyEdge]

Any update on the CONNECT card?

[Wooster]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

Any update on the CONNECT card?

Transit extended the testing period. There were some more bugs to work out. I'd expect by near the end of the year for full roll out. They really, really want to make sure it's working as flawlessly as possible before roll out because a lot of glitches would be very bad.

[Cage]

Originally Posted by fusili

I thought of that too. Based on downtown transit growth, I can see 65% being a realistic goal for 2025. Its 51% already, and that is without the West LRT. I could see the SETWAY and one more LRT line by 2025 really pushing ridership up.

The real challenge will be the non-downtown growth. This is where I see upgrades to limited stop/BRT service really creating ridership to Universities/Hospitals/Business Parks/Industrial Areas.

WLRT will move a lot of people from bus to train, but might take a while to move from car to train. To push 65% Downtown commute, one needs to get better service to a big car trip producing market. Only the SELRT has the potential to significantly impact car to transit migration. IMHO I don't think SETWAY could do the job (get to 65% transit ridership), only full builtout LRT line to Cranston will do and that is unlikely before 2025.

[Wigs]

Attn: SSP Calgary Transit geeks: We at FM now have a new shirt catering to you and your love for the CTrain! Check out our latest shirt- I (CTrain) YYC available in Men's http://bit.ly/MQxLzs or Women's http://bit.ly/P7Qbgq
coupon code: ssptransit for $3 off any order at checkout (shows up at bottom of page)

your fellow Calgarian/forumer,
Grant aka WIGS

[You Need A Thneed]

Temporary construction fencing is down at Martindale and Saddletowne Stations. Ticket vending machines are in place, the new traffic lights are operating.

At ready for the block party tomorrow and the start of service Monday morning.

[mersar]

Noticed last night that quite a bit of work at Fishcreek-Lacombe for the new ramps and platform extension is underway. Plus the work at Heritage and Chinook and the south line will be a construction mess this winter and into next year.

[frinkprof]

^I think Fish Creek and Heritage are supposed to be done by December 1st. Heritage for sure.

Those are awesome shirts WIGS.

Anyone else going to the NE LRT opening party tomorrow? I'll be going. Maybe some of us SSPers can meet up.

[mersar]

I was wanting to go but can't since I'll be somewhere between Nowhere, Sk and Middle of Nowhere, MB at the time.

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by mersar

I was wanting to go but can't since I'll be somewhere between Nowhere, Sk and Middle of Nowhere, MB at the time.

I'll be there in a week! Although most likely between Buttfuck, SK, and Armpit, MB. I take the scenic route.

[You Need A Thneed]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

Anyone else going to the NE LRT opening party tomorrow? I'll be going. Maybe some of us SSPers can meet up.

I'll be taking my two kids. They are so excited for the bus shuttle ride on the way there. If you see a balding guy towing around a 5 yeard old girl and an almost 3 year old boy, that'll be me.

[You Need A Thneed]

Brand new C-Train Safety Video:

• Video Link

[CTrainDude]

Originally Posted by mersar

Noticed last night that quite a bit of work at Fishcreek-Lacombe for the new ramps and platform extension is underway. Plus the work at Heritage and Chinook and the south line will be a construction mess this winter and into next year.

Fish Creek and Heritage are both supposed to open this fall. This Sunday they'll be closing one track at Fish Creek to demolish the stairs from the south side pedestrian bridge.

[srperrycgy]

I'll be up there to take pics and take in the festivities.