Calgary Public Transit II

[MalcolmTucker]

Using audits with the same methodologies, Calgary has lower fare evasion rates than systems with turnstiles.

The question with going to a Metrocard (basic stored value card) type system is who does it benefit. I think most of those benefits could come from the ticket vending machines being able to distribute monthly passes and ticket books.

[holhm22]

Originally Posted by Aegis

It just seems like the "Metrocard System" accomplishes what Calgary wants to do, in a system with significantly higher capacity than Calgary in which the fare per rider is lower (although that is likely for other reasons).

I'm not clear on so unique about our situation that we can't use existing technology to meet the need?

The fixed cost of installing turnstiles can't seriously be cited as a barrier in comparison to low rates of fare evasion, when the fine for fare evasion is regularly increased in response to increased fare evasion..

Even though it is not logical for Calgary and doesn't really fit with the free fare zone, I like the idea of fare gates. Makes it feel safer. And I know this will never happen, but I would like to see automatic platform gates and "automatic" doors on the trains instead of buttons to open.

[Full Mountain]

Originally Posted by holhm22

Even though it is not logical for Calgary and doesn't really fit with the free fare zone, I like the idea of fare gates. Makes it feel safer. And I know this will never happen, but I would like to see automatic platform gates and "automatic" doors on the trains instead of buttons to open.

When you say automatic doors, are you thinking ones that open at every stop regardless if there is someone there or not? Do any LRT systems (at or above grade) have a system like that?

[Policy Wonk]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

We could, but their system paid for itself by eliminating token handing costs. We would be replacing one type of paper, with another type, while making enforcement harder.

There was also the issue of "token sucking" which had to be seen to be believed.

You know the bums who approach you in parking lots trying to sell a used ticket? Yeah... take that to the next level. Bums were sucking tokens out of turnstiles and selling them to commuters. Apparently in large numbers.

[CTrainDude]

Originally Posted by Full Mountain

When you say automatic doors, are you thinking ones that open at every stop regardless if there is someone there or not? Do any LRT systems (at or above grade) have a system like that?

All of Calgary's 'new' LRVs (anything but U2s) have the capability to let the operator open all the doors on the platform at once, and bypass the door buttons - but this feature is disabled. Especially outside of rush hour, when it's really hot or cold, you don't want doors opening to the outside if they don't need to (amongst other reasons).

[holhm22]

I wonder... Does any LRT system in the world have any kind of automatic platform gates or platform screen doors?

[milomilo]

Originally Posted by holhm22

Even though it is not logical for Calgary and doesn't really fit with the free fare zone, I like the idea of fare gates. Makes it feel safer. And I know this will never happen, but I would like to see automatic platform gates and "automatic" doors on the trains instead of buttons to open.

I say keep the manual opening, but the closing needs to be much more aggressive. Keeping the door open for someone rushing to the door can slow down thousands of other commuters in the process.

[CTrainDude]

Originally Posted by holhm22

I wonder... Does any LRT system in the world have any kind of automatic platform gates or platform screen doors?

I can't comment on this, but I know that it would mean Calgary LRT operators would have to start being a lot more precise about stopping locations - with weather and human drivers, I think it would make stopping to line train doors up with platform screens more work than it's worth. Plus, different Calgary LRVs are different lengths, hence doors are in different places - the next generation cars arriving this fall have doors in quite different places from the current vehicles.

[holhm22]

Originally Posted by CTrainDude

I can't comment on this, but I know that it would mean Calgary LRT operators would have to start being a lot more precise about stopping locations - with weather and human drivers, I think it would make stopping to line train doors up with platform screens more work than it's worth. Plus, different Calgary LRVs are different lengths, hence doors are in different places - the next generation cars arriving this fall have doors in quite different places from the current vehicles.

Yeah... APGs wouldn't make sense with the new cars and our budget compared to big cities in Europe and Asia with heavy rail. Though it would be really neat to see CT get rid of the stupid buttons and add APGs. Just a pipe dream though...

[MasterG]

Originally Posted by holhm22

Yeah... APGs wouldn't make sense with the new cars and our budget compared to big cities in Europe and Asia with heavy rail. Though it would be really neat to see CT get rid of the stupid buttons and add APGs. Just a pipe dream though...

What about the small stuff?

I was in Vienna in the summer. I loved that you could press a button on the door ahead of time and it knew that you wanted off at the next station. Opened immediately upon arrival

Throw those same buttons on buses for major routes and we are getting somewhere

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by MasterG

What about the small stuff?

I was in Vienna in the summer. I loved that you could press a button on the door ahead of time and it knew that you wanted off at the next station. Opened immediately upon arrival

Throw those same buttons on buses for major routes and we are getting somewhere

What, you mean instead of the always fun experience of waiting for the bus to come to a complete stop, the green light to come on, then waving hands frantically hoping the sensor picks it up, never sure if the door is broken, or your hands are just to damn ghost-like while 5 other people also wanting to get off breath down your neck, thinking you might be a little to "slow" to figure out how to open a door? Because that's my favourite part of the day. Don't take that from me.

[Full Mountain]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

What, you mean instead of the always fun experience of waiting for the bus to come to a complete stop, the green light to come on, then waving hands frantically hoping the sensor picks it up, never sure if the door is broken, or your hands are just to damn ghost-like while 5 other people also wanting to get off breath down your neck, thinking you might be a little to "slow" to figure out how to open a door? Because that's my favourite part of the day. Don't take that from me.

Protip for the doors without handles, hold your hand horizontal so that it provides a larger surface for the sensor to pick up. The sensor is mounted above the door not on it.

[Rusty van Reddick]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

What, you mean instead of the always fun experience of waiting for the bus to come to a complete stop, the green light to come on, then waving hands frantically hoping the sensor picks it up, never sure if the door is broken, or your hands are just to damn ghost-like while 5 other people also wanting to get off breath down your neck, thinking you might be a little to "slow" to figure out how to open a door? Because that's my favourite part of the day. Don't take that from me.

I've never had this problem, ever. You complain a lot.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Rusty van Reddick

I've never had this problem, ever. You complain a lot.

Sorry, I'll try to be more like you.

[UofC.engineer]

Originally Posted by Rusty van Reddick

I've never had this problem, ever. You complain a lot.

WOW! Thank you so much for contributing to this discussion. Have a happy Friday Rusty

[joe498]

Nenshi: Keep parking when redeveloping LRT lots

http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/keep-parking-when-redeveloping-lrt-lots

Calgary’s slow-moving plans to redevelop around LRT — and the community pushback around them — could be improved if the city replaces all surface park-and-ride spaces with parkade stalls, says Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

City planners will bring to council this spring their plan for transit-oriented development at Anderson station, home to the largest LRT parking lot in Calgary.

After years of consultation and tweaking the plan based on community concerns, the city still plans to reduce the 1,750 car spaces to 500, but gradually over the decade-long development of the dense cluster of residential and office buildings.

Nenshi told reporters Monday he wants the city to consider a policy to maintain or add parking supply at LRT-area redevelopment sites, with multi-level parking structures. He said that could quell the biggest resident beef with the densification plans.

“I actually fully share those concerns. As the city grows, we can’t rely on everybody taking the bus to the CTrain,” the mayor said.

Of the 20 LRT park-and-rides, all but 69th Street and Canyon Meadows are surface lots, a much cheaper option that gobbles up far more land. There are also redevelopment plans that would slash room for parking at Brentwood, Shawnessy, Chinook and other stations, but such plans have been long in the works without imminent threat to park-and-ride users.

The mayor’s idea is just an idea at this point, he acknowledged.

“I floated that trial balloon and we’ll see how people feel about it,” Nenshi said. “I think if we put that in place, the numbers still can make sense, and we can move much more quickly.”

He said he isn’t sure why city hall has moved so slowly to develop these lands, a key part of the city’s bid to limit future suburban sprawl. Nenshi also touts transit-oriented as a way to help add to Calgary’s affordable housing supply. The towers that have risen next to Brentwood and Heritage stations are among the first examples of such entry-level condo towers.

[Full Mountain]

Originally Posted by joe498

Nenshi: Keep parking when redeveloping LRT lots

http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/keep-parking-when-redeveloping-lrt-lots

I have no issue with this as long as the cost of the structure can be recovered. Or a very least have a 50% cost recovery like transit fares.

[MalcolmTucker]

I would not have an issue as long as the fees are set so there is always an available spot to maximize utility.

[fusili]

I think the idea is valid, as long as the parkades are designed well, integrate into the TOD appropriately. Underground is likely cost-prohibitive, but a well-designed and screened parkade is fine IMO. Can also act as a way to provide off-peak parking for commercial areas in the TOD.

[ByeByeBaby]

I think this makes a lot of sense.

What we should really do is remove the parking restrictions around LRT stations; there is a massive supply of accessible space that could be used by transit users that is instead being kept as empty asphalt for no productive reason. The space could be metered, with area residents receiving a discount or free parking.