The Great Canadian Transit Thread

[niwell]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

I guess adding more supply just won't help keep prices down. If new units come in, older ones become cheaper.

It is like people think the rules of supply and demand don't apply to traffic and real estate.

Add enough supply and prices will stabilize and then start to come down. Either add more units around existing transit, or add more transit around under utilized units.

Haven't you seen the two Toronto's map? Close higher order transit access is a pretty big factor in the social success of a neighbourhood.

What else pray tell would help make the area more affordable?

Problem is, it doesn't really work out that way in reality. Toronto is adding a HUGE amount of supply in the inner-city. And more than you would think in close proximity to transit. But this supply is in the form of condo units. And yeah, the price for condo units is somewhat stable. What isn't expensive is single family homes. There is no way more single family homes will be built in the central city, and the amount being built in the far suburbs is decreasing in favour of more multifamily. And the pattern of where prices are highest / have increased the most doesn't necessarily relate that well to higher order transit. The Beaches, for instance, has kind of shit transit. Some of the most expensive areas in central Toronto that aren't on the Yonge line are primarily served by streetcars.

I guess demolishing neighbourhoods wholesale and replacing them with generic highrises would make them cheaper. Certainly not stable though.

In any event there are still a large number of sites along the Bloor-Danforth line that can be developed (and plenty in development) without touching the historic neighbourhoods. They probably won't be massive highrises, nor should they.

[caltrane74]

Originally Posted by nname

First train 5:30am seems kind of late. Vancouver's first train run at 4:48am, and is already quite late for those who wish to catch the 6am transborder flights.

If 5:30AM is too late, catch the 1:00AM train and hang out at Pearson? Don't think it's that bad, if it's really that important to be there that early anyways.
Worst Case Scenario, you're there 3 hours early.

[caltrane74]

My pics today

[miketoronto]

Originally Posted by caltrane74

If 5:30AM is too late, catch the 1:00AM train and hang out at Pearson? Don't think it's that bad, if it's really that important to be there that early anyways.
Worst Case Scenario, you're there 3 hours early.

There is 24 hour transit service to the airport via the TTC.

[caltrane74]

Originally Posted by miketoronto

There is 24 hour transit service to the airport via the TTC.

True Enough.

I guess if someone really has to get to the airport that early, there are probably a number of options besides the express train. Can always catch a cab, have a friend drop you off, or drive. The fact that the first train is at 5:30am and not 5:00am is not really a big deal.

[1overcosc]

It would have been nice if UPX could have started up at 4:00am instead. That's early enough for people to get to the first flights. That said, it isn't a huge deal.

[MoreTrains]

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

It would have been nice if UPX could have started up at 4:00am instead. That's early enough for people to get to the first flights. That said, it isn't a huge deal.

The UPX should just never stop running, like Toronto, a 24 hour city with a 24 hour train. lol

[niwell]

Originally Posted by MoreTrains

The UPX should just never stop running, like Toronto, a 24 hour city with a 24 hour train. lol

Aside from maintenance issues it's probably because Pearson restricts flights between 1230am and 630am. I agree that it should probably start at 4am to get people to those early flights in time though.

[eemy]

For US-bound flights, in particular, that start time could be problematic. Most business people who travel to the US regularly probably have NEXUS though, which should speed things up. I imagine that as the service gets underway and they have a better gauge of how it is used, the scheduling might be altered somewhat.

[MalcolmTucker]

Well, for those first flights a cab will just fly on empty highways.

[SFUVancouver]

Officedweller in the Vancouver sub recorded some webcam pictures of progress on construction Lincoln Station on the SkyTrain Evergreen Line. It's worth noting that this was originally a 'future station' that had its construction accelerated to be part of the build-out of the line. This was made possible as a result of a Public Private Partnership between the City of Coquitlam and the owner of Coquitlam Centre (conveniently located beside the future station). Together they put up the $28 million dollars it would cost to add the station. Needless to say, nobody will bat an eye with Coquitlam Centre comes forward in the years ahead with a rezoning proposal for massive mixed-use residential development on their acres of surface parking.

Something similar is being done for Capstan Way Station on the SkyTrain Canada Line: two major developers with a vast tract of land next to the roughed-in 'future station' will be assessed a $7,800 per unit surcharge by the City of Richmond on the first 50% of units built as part of their rezoning applications to build out a 6,400 unit mega development. This will raise the $25 million dollars it will cost to build the station and the City will come up with any shortfall out of its transportation Community Amenity Contributions for the area.

Further up the Canada Line, the 'future station' at 57th Avenue will be built as a result of Community Amenity Contributions from two massive redevelopment projects on the Pearson-Dogwoods Land and Langara Gardens site, both right next door to the roughed-in station at Cambie and 57th Avenue. There is one more 'future station' at 33rd Avenue, but no plans are yet afoot to have that built.

Anyway, here's a Google Maps link to the station's location and on we go to the photos:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Lincoln Station roof being built - webcam pics today:


http://wcs.pbaeng.com/projects/R1_Transit


http://wcs.pbaeng.com/projects/R1_Transit


http://wcs.pbaeng.com/projects/R1_Transit

[Beedok]

I never realised Greyhound doesn't go past Montreal.

[Chadillaccc]

The Evergreen Line is going to be sweet. It's too bad they couldn't build a station inside Burnaby Mountain for SFU. That would have been crazy expensive, but a great amenity for the university to be connected to.

[SteelTown]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

We did? City Council voted for LRT for the B-Line. The Mayor is pro-LRT as well. Mayor Eisenberger was even the former CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute so obviously he's super pro LRT.

It's just the Liberals dangling a carrot at Hamilton.

Dangling a carrot again...

Premier pledges support for Hamilton LRT, then quickly takes it back

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/n...lrt-then-quickly-takes-it-back-1.3060245

Premier Kathleen Wynne almost provided some clarity on Hamilton's rapid transit system situation on Monday, before promptly muddying the waters again.

During question period at Queen's Park, Wynne said, "If we don't work with Hamilton and build that LRT, and make sure we get that infrastructure in place Mr. Speaker, then the boom that's happening in Hamilton can't continue."

"I'm not going to stand by and let that happen."

While that was no doubt music to the ears of LRT advocates everywhere in the city, she rose a few moments later to clarify her statement on a point of order, to remove the "L" from the conversation once again.

"I referenced the Hamilton LRT when I was talking about projects," Wynne said. "Line 30 in the budget, Mr. Speaker. I should have said either the Huron main L.R.T. Or the Hamilton rapid transit, Mr. Speaker. Point of correction."

Which puts the city right back where it was on the rapid transit question.

The newest provincial budget mentions "rapid transit" for Hamilton, but the city is still largely in the dark as to what that would look like – light rail transit or bus rapid transit.

[1overcosc]

Given the mixed signals from Hamilton's municipality, and the fact that Hamilton voted NDP **cough** **cough**, I'm not surprised at this.

[1overcosc]

Kingston launched two additional limited-stop express buses yesterday.

One runs from Queen's & the CBD & RMC to the eastern suburbs and runs every 15 minutes weekday daytimes and every 30 minutes evenings and Sundays.

Another connects major shopping areas (including the downtown core) and runs every 15 minutes at peak periods and every 30 minutes in the offpeak.

Great additions to the bus network. With so many service improvements happening all the time it's no wonder Kingston Transit's ridership is skyrocketing.

[MalcolmTucker]

Banff:

RFP issued for gondola

The Town of Banff is looking to hire an independent expert to assess ways to deal with the tourist town’s traffic troubles, including the feasibility of building an aerial gondola transit system.

Last week, the municipality issued a request for proposals (RFP) for long-term transportation planning and the deadline for submissions is May 14. The Town hopes to have the $70,000 study completed and submitted by the end of September.

The study will include a comparative analysis of four options, including building new roads, a vehicle bridge across the Bow River, adding new lanes to Mountain Avenue up Sulphur Mountain, improvements to public transit and a cable-propelled gondola.

Read more: http://www.rmoutlook.com/article/20150430/RMO0801/304309974

Map of the current system: http://roamtransit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/2014RoamTransitMapsSchedules.pdf

[Aylmer]

I think a simple, inexpensive DMU connection to Calgary would do wonders for Banff as well as the suburban towns to the west of Calgary like Cochrane. I know there's the Rocky Mountaineer, but I'm talking about something way more frequent (several times a day) and way less expensive ($20-30?).

[niwell]

Originally Posted by Aylmer

I think a simple, inexpensive DMU connection to Calgary would do wonders for Banff as well as the suburban towns to the west of Calgary like Cochrane. I know there's the Rocky Mountaineer, but I'm talking about something way more frequent (several times a day) and way less expensive ($20-30?).

That would be awesome, but I'm not sure how feasible it would be without major expenditures on new infrastructure. Or a very infrequent and unreliable timetable. Probably would have to add a new track along most of the length since the corridor holds the CP mainline, and is generally single-tracked. Lots of environmentally sensitive areas too.

[GoTrans]

Originally Posted by niwell

That would be awesome, but I'm not sure how feasible it would be without major expenditures on new infrastructure. Or a very infrequent and unreliable timetable. Probably would have to add a new track along most of the length since the corridor holds the CP mainline, and is generally single-tracked. Lots of environmentally sensitive areas too.

I don't believe the CP mainline is particularily overtaxed, otherwise CP would or should have built more sidings over the past few years. The main problem is long trains so building several short sidings just for DMU useage might be the most effective use of infrastructure funds. Even if there were only 3 or 4 round trips per day to begin with, we would see a marked improvement in travel options. The train would have to operate at an avg. speed of 100km/hr to make it competitive with the bus or auto. A early morning trip into Calgary would also provide commuter service to Canmore and Cochrane. Maybe the new government of Alberta could convince the feds to share some costs for the improvement. I think the PC's in Ottawa might be a little worried now and be more willing participants.