Calgary Public Transit II - Page 356

MalcolmTucker · #**7101** Posted **Nov 20, 2013, 5:43 AM**

At this point the political capital required to solve the problem long term isn't worth it when a disruptive technology is going to destroy the business in the next 15 years anyways.

YYCguys · #**7102** Posted **Nov 20, 2013, 4:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

What's about buses following the LRT routes?

Similar to that which exists in Toronto. I had to take the "night bus" from Bathurst Station on the Bloor Line all the way to Kipling Station to get to the airport before the subway started on an early Sunday morning. Although it did make some other local stops as well which was annoying.

DizzyEdge · #**7103** Posted **Nov 20, 2013, 7:08 PM**

What I'd like to see is 30 min, 45 min or hourly bus runs on the LRT and BRT routes.

para transit fellow · #**7104** Posted **Nov 20, 2013, 8:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotten42

I don't agree with this...in fact quite the opposite. I think there are many opportunities for cabs that head out to the burbs to bring people back the other way. There is a higher demand for cabs out in the burbs that you know.

When I drove taxi in 1991, only 1 in 15 trips from downtown to the deep south had a returning fare. I took the trips south but the real money at that time was parking in front of the York and catching the steady stream of folks flagging a cab. If you were good at it, you could catch a couple of short trips while waiting in the queue for the dispatch to announce a trip for you. (GPS systems won't allow that anymore)

(summary of Calgary cab driving experience: never worked so hard for so little money in my life!)

freeweed · #**7105** Posted **Nov 20, 2013, 8:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

At this point the political capital required to solve the problem long term isn't worth it when a disruptive technology is going to destroy the business in the next 15 years anyways.

This is precisely what I'm hoping for, because taxi service in Calgary has only gotten WORSE in my decade here. I see no reason whatsoever to believe it will get any better.

You Need A Thneed · #**7106** Posted **Nov 20, 2013, 8:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeweed

This is precisely what I'm hoping for, because taxi service in Calgary has only gotten WORSE in my decade here. I see no reason whatsoever to believe it will get any better.

I think it's pretty simple. Change the archaic bylaws so that services like Uber can run. The Taxi industry would be forced to change.

The only reason it hasn't been changed to this point is that it pisses off the current taxi drivers who paid lots of money for their taxi plates.

However, at same point, that bandaid is going to have to be pulled off. It might as well be now, it's not going to be easier at any point in the future.

Me&You · #**7107** Posted **Nov 20, 2013, 8:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

At this point the political capital required to solve the problem long term isn't worth it when a disruptive technology is going to destroy the business in the next 15 years anyways.

It was encouraging when Uber did their trial run here a few weeks back. Unfortunately they've been cock-blocked by the bureaucracy surrounding the taxi regulations.

As you mentioned, the technology is there (and rapidly developing) to unseat the current form of the taxi business. However, for these new formats to actually become a reality in Calgary, there still needs to be the political will to make the necessary changes.

MalcolmTucker · #**7108** Posted **Nov 20, 2013, 10:46 PM**

Well, not exactly. You can get around the livery stuff with fun legal strategies (especially when driveless comes to be). If car2go is legal, so would driveless taxis (we just couldn't call them taxis).

sim · #**7109** Posted **Nov 21, 2013, 1:57 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

At this point the political capital required to solve the problem long term isn't worth it when a disruptive technology is going to destroy the business in the next 15 years anyways.

I'd say that's a rather optimistic timeline for full implementation of an actual useful and reliable system with the technology you are talking about here. No one really knows how that is all going to work, but disruptive it will be. In my opinion it also has the potential to be about one of the largest mistakes humanity will make with as of yet only speculative unintended consequences and even more that haven't even been conceived.

DizzyEdge · #**7110** Posted **Nov 21, 2013, 5:35 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Me&You

It was encouraging when Uber did their trial run here a few weeks back. Unfortunately they've been cock-blocked by the bureaucracy surrounding the taxi regulations.

As you mentioned, the technology is there (and rapidly developing) to unseat the current form of the taxi business. However, for these new formats to actually become a reality in Calgary, there still needs to be the political will to make the necessary changes.

Isn't Uber just like a very local version of rideshare? Just curious if it's not 'illegal' for me to yell on the side of the road "will anyone give me a lift for some cash" why would it be to have an internet system allowing you to do the same thing?

J-D · #**7111** Posted **Nov 21, 2013, 5:36 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

Isn't Uber just like a very local version of rideshare? Just curious if it's not 'illegal' for me to yell on the side of the road "will anyone give me a lift for some cash" why would it be to have an internet system allowing you to do the same thing?

It is illegal for you to yell that on the side of the road... or at the very least, for anyone to take you up on it.

Socguy · #**7112** Posted **Nov 22, 2013, 7:02 PM**

Here's another one: Thursday night cabs were in short supply. I witnessed a van cab driver refuse to take 2 people to the airport when he found out they were not in the same group but both wanted to go to the airport. He stated that he was only willing to take one and the other would have to wait for the next cab.

Policy Wonk · #**7113** Posted **Nov 24, 2013, 4:51 AM**

I have had that happen in Los Angeles repeatedly. Most recently I could see a woman outside the hotel was looking pretty agitated as whatever airport shuttle hadn't shown up. As she had MileagePlus tags on her bag, I extrapolated she was probably also going to Terminal 7, but the douchebag dead stop would not let her in the car.

DizzyEdge · #**7114** Posted **Nov 26, 2013, 1:34 AM**

I noticed on the 411 they had an LED board on the bus. At the moment it was just occasionally giving the time and date, and would indicate if the stop button had been pushed. Any idea if they're planning on having named stops show up on that thing?

Also, when are we supposed to be getting those "hockey mask" LRT cars again?

TallisRH · #**7115** Posted **Nov 26, 2013, 2:35 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

I noticed on the 411 they had an LED board on the bus. At the moment it was just occasionally giving the time and date, and would indicate if the stop button had been pushed. Any idea if they're planning on having named stops show up on that thing?

Also, when are we supposed to be getting those "hockey mask" LRT cars again?

That is indeed the plan. As part of the same system, real-time GPS bus arrival info will be available on the website.

August 2015 for the first delivery of the new LRVs.

MasterG · #**7116** Posted **Nov 26, 2013, 3:13 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TallisRH

That is indeed the plan. As part of the same system, real-time GPS bus arrival info will be available on the website.

August 2015 for the first delivery of the new LRVs.

Does CT ever publish all their little schemes and plans? The big projects seem to have good documentation but the little stuff just kind of happens. Connect cards, Real-time train info, now these bus LED signs. Route 3 going to the articulated buses. Someone posted about a CT ticket machine at the airport (the lack of which was my my biggest pet peeve a few months ago).

Is there any place where we can see what they are working on ? I feel their isn't alot of visibility on what they are doing and when. At least compared to other City programs and developments

mersar · #**7117** Posted **Nov 26, 2013, 3:49 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasterG

Does CT ever publish all their little schemes and plans? The big projects seem to have good documentation but the little stuff just kind of happens. Connect cards, Real-time train info, now these bus LED signs. Route 3 going to the articulated buses. Someone posted about a CT ticket machine at the airport (the lack of which was my my biggest pet peeve a few months ago).

Is there any place where we can see what they are working on ? I feel their isn't alot of visibility on what they are doing and when. At least compared to other City programs and developments

Best place to check is the CPTDB.ca discussion forum for unofficial news about things. Unfortunately CT doesn't always post much about upcoming things.

CTrainDude · #**7118** Posted **Nov 26, 2013, 3:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TallisRH

That is indeed the plan. As part of the same system, real-time GPS bus arrival info will be available on the website.

August 2015 for the first delivery of the new LRVs.

Major stops (stations, terminals, major intersections), will also have an audio announcement to go with the LED sign.

DizzyEdge · #**7119** Posted **Nov 26, 2013, 3:54 AM**

Thanks for the info. Personally what I'd love CT to do is send everyone one of those bone jarring shuttle buses to the scrap yard

Incredibly harsh suspension.

mersar · #**7120** Posted **Nov 26, 2013, 4:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

Thanks for the info. Personally what I'd love CT to do is send everyone one of those bone jarring shuttle buses to the scrap yard

Incredibly harsh suspension.

Fortunately you'll get some of your wish. The life span of those shuttles is quite short, and I believe the oldest of the Arboc shuttles from only a few years ago have already been scrapped/sold.