Calgary Public Transit II

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by Wigs

meanwhile Edmonton has spacious 5-car trains waiting to be filled. go figure!

haha, I just mean the need to dig 8th ave might come way sooner than expected.

[Socguy]

As they they build the BRT's down south, it should help somewhat with the train load levels. Once the one to Woodbine is complete, I'll be off the train. I imagine that the proposed transit way would also make for a bit of reduction as well. Now, I'm not sure what the load levels coming down from the NW are but I doubt they could possibly be as bad as the south line. If that is indeed the case those BRT projects may take enough pressure off to let the city avoid digging up 8th for a little while yet...

[MasterG]

Originally Posted by Socguy

As they they build the BRT's down south, it should help somewhat with the train load levels. Once the one to Woodbine is complete, I'll be off the train. I imagine that the proposed transit way would also make for a bit of reduction as well. Now, I'm not sure what the load levels coming down from the NW are but I doubt they could possibly be as bad as the south line. If that is indeed the case those BRT projects may take enough pressure off to let the city avoid digging up 8th for a little while yet...

And the 16th Ave BRT will take some NW load off if it is implemented correctly. Many, many University / SAIT students live in NE and transfer downtown.

When is the work on all these BRT lines set to begin? Seems like they high-level plan is there but haven't heard much else since then.

[mersar]

Originally Posted by MasterG

And the 16th Ave BRT will take some NW load off if it is implemented correctly. Many, many University / SAIT students live in NE and transfer downtown.

When is the work on all these BRT lines set to begin? Seems like they high-level plan is there but haven't heard much else since then.

The Southwest Transit Way (downtown to Woodbine) is funded through budget year 2015-2022. Same for the 17 Ave SE Transit Way. The North Cross Town BRT and South Cross Town BRT are both funded from 2015-2018 budgets.

Source: Investing in Mobility Report

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by MasterG

And the 16th Ave BRT will take some NW load off if it is implemented correctly. Many, many University / SAIT students live in NE and transfer downtown.

When is the work on all these BRT lines set to begin? Seems like they high-level plan is there but haven't heard much else since then.

Hey good call on that, it didn't occur to me how many people go downtown from the burbs just to transfer and take another train to a different part of the burbs so I guess the BRTs can work as downtown bypass routes.

[Chadillaccc]

Originally Posted by fusili

Looks like we will have about 0.52 trips per capita per day. That is unbelievable. I don't have the numbers on me right now, but that is amazing. Close to Toronto and Vancouver and absolutely trouncing most other cities in North America.

That is badass Anyone have the numbers for all alternative transport?

Originally Posted by 5seconds

Scott Dipple from CBC just tweeted:

Scott Dippel ‏@CBCScott 4m

Calgary Transit's Chris Jordan says plan is for Green Line to start as busway and convert to LRT in 30 yrs. #yyccc #yyc #cbc

That is a devastating disappointment. So after Tuscany, LRT construction is basically over for a decade at best, possibly two, and three decades until we get another new line built. Dang.

[milomilo]

Originally Posted by 5seconds

Calgary Transit's Chris Jordan says plan is for Green Line to start as busway and convert to LRT in 30 yrs. #yyccc #yyc #cbc

Lol. Might as well stop all work developing plans for green line LRT then, because they will be completely irrelevant in 2050.

That is utterly ridiculous actually - are we not going to spend any large sums of money on public transit? Calgary has been successful in building out a good LRT network so far, why are we just going to put that on hold for 30+ years?

[H.E.Pennypacker]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

That is a devastating disappointment. So after Tuscany, LRT construction is basically over for a decade at best, possibly two, and three decades until we get another new line built. Dang.

Disappointing indeed but not overly shocking ... At least there is a plan in place and a route will be decided upon - probably comes down to funding, or lack of .. If somehow the City can get funding for the conversion from bus to LRT sooner I'd guess they'll jump on it

I'm more intrigued to see what the route they have in mind is .. If it's a 30 year LRT conversion plan I'm wondering if they're holding out for more financing to bury the line up until 20th Ave NE?

[MasterG]

Originally Posted by H.E.Pennypacker

Disappointing indeed but not overly shocking ... At least there is a plan in place and a route will be decided upon - probably comes down to funding, or lack of .. If somehow the City can get funding for the conversion from bus to LRT sooner I'd guess they'll jump on it

I'm more intrigued to see what the route they have in mind is .. If it's a 30 year LRT conversion plan I'm wondering if they're holding out for more financing to bury the line up until 20th Ave NE?

And I suspect 30 years may be a total build out number. Due to the size of this line I suspect smaller sections would be built as LRT much further before.

Tuscany represents the end of the NW-S line, which faced a 30 year build-out after all.

What I would think:

1. Green Line Quarry Park - Panarama (BRT)
2. Convert Downtown to Mcknight(ish) terminal to LRT
3. Convert Downtown to Quarry Park to LRT
4. Convert remainder of North Line to LRT
5. Convert remainder of South Line to LRT to Seton

All of these could easily be separated by 1-10 years, depending on other priorities, funding and changing needs throughout the network.

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

That is badass Anyone have the numbers for all alternative transport?

That is a devastating disappointment. So after Tuscany, LRT construction is basically over for a decade at best, possibly two, and three decades until we get another new line built. Dang.

Originally Posted by milomilo

Lol. Might as well stop all work developing plans for green line LRT then, because they will be completely irrelevant in 2050.

That is utterly ridiculous actually - are we not going to spend any large sums of money on public transit? Calgary has been successful in building out a good LRT network so far, why are we just going to put that on hold for 30+ years?

Originally Posted by H.E.Pennypacker

Disappointing indeed but not overly shocking ... At least there is a plan in place and a route will be decided upon - probably comes down to funding, or lack of .. If somehow the City can get funding for the conversion from bus to LRT sooner I'd guess they'll jump on it

I'm more intrigued to see what the route they have in mind is .. If it's a 30 year LRT conversion plan I'm wondering if they're holding out for more financing to bury the line up until 20th Ave NE?

Originally Posted by MasterG

And I suspect 30 years may be a total build out number. Due to the size of this line I suspect smaller sections would be built as LRT much further before.

Tuscany represents the end of the NW-S line, which faced a 30 year build-out after all.

What I would think:

1. Green Line Quarry Park - Panarama (BRT)
2. Convert Downtown to Mcknight(ish) terminal to LRT
3. Convert Downtown to Quarry Park to LRT
4. Convert remainder of North Line to LRT
5. Convert remainder of South Line to LRT to Seton

All of these could easily be separated by 1-10 years, depending on other priorities, funding and changing needs throughout the network.

The city's numbers for how much it has to invest in infrastructure does not include any replacement for MSI after the original funding envelope is depleted later this decade. Don't worry people.

[outoftheice]

For those who are interested in learning everything there is to know about the Green Line, I would encourage you to check out the following website which is just in the process of launching:

http://www.lrtonthegreen.ca

As a bit of background for everyone, the Foundation came into being after a meeting in mid-March of various community groups and stakeholders from along the length of the Green Line. The idea was to unite the various advocates of the North Central LRT and the South East LRT in recognition of the fact that investment in one would automatically benefit the other. By creating a focal point in the communication amongst the stakeholders it would also allow the groups to better advocate for the Green Line. Since that meeting, work has been happening behind the scenes to make the vision a reality. I am happy to say that the LRT on the Green Foundation has now also been officially registered as a non-profit society in Alberta and has formed our Board of Directors. The Board consists of 3 representatives from the communities of north central Calgary and 3 representatives from the communities of south east Calgary as well as one more person who has advocated for the line in its entirety.

We'll be slowly trying to advance our cause over the coming months and the website is a good place to check back and learn about our advocacy efforts. If the recent cycle track debate has taught us anything, it is that uniting advocates is the first step into creating real change.

[fusili]

Originally Posted by milomilo

Lol. Might as well stop all work developing plans for green line LRT then, because they will be completely irrelevant in 2050.

That is utterly ridiculous actually - are we not going to spend any large sums of money on public transit? Calgary has been successful in building out a good LRT network so far, why are we just going to put that on hold for 30+ years?

Calgary's lines are pretty much all at capacity. The Yonge/Spadina line is at capacity (as is the Bloor line pretty much)- in fact it is the heaviest used subway line in North America (the Lexington Avenue line is four-tracked and has multiple spurs). Vancouver's lines are all close to, if not at capacity. Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary are the top four transit cities (in terms of trips per capita) after New York in North America. And yet, our federal government does not have a national transit strategy. Weak.

[MalcolmTucker]

Even doubling federal infrastructure funding would only match 10 cents on the dollar provincial funding at current levels.

[Full Mountain]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

Even doubling federal infrastructure funding would only match 10 cents on the dollar provincial funding at current levels.

Seems like an amount similar to the $100B over 20 years that the feds are planning on spending the on the military could go a fair ways towards transit.

$100,000,000,000/35,000,000 = $2,857 per capita

$2,857 / 20 years = $142 per capita per year

$142 x 1,200,000 = $170,400,000/year for the City of Calgary (Total $3.4B over 20 years)

Seems like things would move nicely with a commitment like that, no?

[MalcolmTucker]

^ the current federal 10 year plan is $52 billion give or take.

[Full Mountain]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

^ the current federal 10 year plan is $52 billion give or take.

huh, now let me guess it's not distributed on a per capita basis is it....

[andasen]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

That is a devastating disappointment. So after Tuscany, LRT construction is basically over for a decade at best, possibly two, and three decades until we get another new line built. Dang.

The Northeast will probably be up for another extension in the next 10 years. Especially with the tunnel now in place.

[PPAR]

Originally Posted by andasen

The Northeast will probably be up for another extension in the next 10 years. Especially with the tunnel now in place.

There is also one more station planned on the West Leg.

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by Full Mountain

huh, now let me guess it's not distributed on a per capita basis is it....

Vast majority is per capita, with $4 billion reserved for 'projects of a national significance' and a floor so small provinces can actually do a project.

[MichaelS]

Originally Posted by PPAR

There is also one more station planned on the West Leg.

And a couple more on the south line as well I think.

damn. Beaten by CtrainDude.