Edmonton Public Transit

[Coldrsx]

All or nothing likely, but certainly not impossible... although complicated depending on who runs it.


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Some very positive news

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ETS continues to enhance safety and security using unique gender-based approach
November 10, 2020


Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) is a leading transit agency in North America for using gender-based analysis (GBA+) to further enhance safety and security on transit. This type of unique approach—based on diverse and inclusive community perspectives—will put ETS at the forefront of implementing safety enhancements based on GBA+ and community feedback.

“As part of City Council’s ongoing work to make Edmonton a safer city, we’ve been working directly with community partners on initiatives that will further enhance safety on transit, particularly for women and girls,” said Councillor Bev Esslinger. “This important safety work is being driven by the community, for the community.”

The ETS approach involves directly connecting with community groups and agencies, such as the Women’s Advocacy Voice of Edmonton (WAVE), the ETS Advisory Board, and members of the Edmonton Safe City Community Collaboration Committee, which includes Indigenous organizations, academia and others, to better understand root causes of safety concerns with a focus on women’s and girls’ safety.

“By incorporating diverse perspectives and actioning community ideas to further enhance safety for women and girls, the transit system will be safer for everyone,” said Carrie Hotton-MacDonald, Director of Business Integration, ETS. “There’s still lots of work to do in our strategic safety plan, but I’m very proud of the community work we’re doing and the direction we’re taking.”

Since City Council’s $22-million investment in 2018 to further enhance safety and security on transit, ETS has seen encouraging results, including:
A 300 per cent increase in reporting incidents because of improved surveillance, personnel presence and communication efforts that outline how to report concerns.
A 30 per cent decrease in criminal occurrences.
A 50 per cent decrease in mischief at LRT stations and transit centres with contracted security guards.

Transit Watch text message service
Based on community feedback, ETS will launch a Transit Watch text message service on November 13, as part of its continuous improvement plan to further enhance safety and security on transit.

The new Transit Watch text message service will allow Edmontonians to discreetly report safety and security concerns on transit, such as harassment, disorder and suspicious behaviour. Edmontonians can send a text message to the existing Transit Watch phone number, 780-442-4900, and the message will go directly to ETS staff in the Control Centre 24/7. The Control Centre will respond to the text message and dispatch appropriate resources, if required. All emergencies should still be reported to 9-1-1.

“We’ve heard from women and girls about the importance of having a discreet way to report safety and security concerns on transit,” said Hotton-MacDonald. “This safety initiative provides another layer of reporting that will help empower our riders to report concerns. More reporting also gives us valuable insight and data to help us strategically deploy resources to the right place, at the right time.”


For more information:
edmonton.ca/transit

Media contact:
Rowan Anderson
Communications Advisor
Communications and Engagement
780-690-1605

[Hallsy's Toupee]

SE Valley Line LRT construction update #7
https://transforming.edmonton.ca/taking-shape-valley-line-southeast-update-7/

[Coldrsx]

Catenary poles are up

[EdmTrekker]

Originally Posted by RetiredGuy

I recall reading one of the counselors asking why the valley line west could not be built so that parts of the line could be active sooner. As the west line is an extension of the east line, could the part say from 102 street to 107 street be put in operation sooner and then other extensions would follow. Is that what will happen or the west line won't be operational until all of it is complete?

I am not sure but do not think phased implementation was part of the planning and bid documents.

[B.ike]

Originally Posted by RetiredGuy

I recall reading one of the counselors asking why the valley line west could not be built so that parts of the line could be active sooner. As the west line is an extension of the east line, could the part say from 102 street to 107 street be put in operation sooner and then other extensions would follow. Is that what will happen or the west line won't be operational until all of it is complete?

That won't happen because:

1. the contract is to build the entire thing at once

2. (and here is the bigger issue) the City still needs to figure out how to operate the entire valley line as one entity. The MWLRT is a P3 while the WLRT is more of a traditional model.
Basically the MWLRT is a privately owned line and they're gonna need a 1000 page agreement to merge the two lines operationally.

Honestly it will be a nightmare coming to an agreement between TransEd and ETS once it comes down to operation logistics.
I've heard from teachers in P3 schools where they can't even use push pins on walls because that 'affects' the integrity of the building value.

The City needs to work on the agreement now - else the reality come 4 years from now, without such an agreement, is that the Lewis Estate ETS run train will stop at Alex Decoteau Park and go back towards Lewis Estates again, while the MWTC train will stop at city Centre and head back towards MWTC. That's the reality of these P3 or DBFOT contracts. The consortiums will do everything to protect the value of their infrastructure and investment. The are first and foremost accountable to the shareholders not the stakeholders.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/iconic-bike-shop-torn-down-to-make-way-for-lrt-1.5203126

EDMONTON -- The Western Cycle building has finally come down in order to make way for the Valley Line West LRT expansion.

The iconic store and its sign stood on 124 Street for over 80 years, since 1934, but while the building is demolished, the sign lives on.

In May, the Alberta Sign Association launched an online fundraiser to be able to move the sign to the Edmonton Neon Sign Museum downtown. The cyclist sign was taken down in July to be added to the museum’s collection.

Construction on the west LRT line is slated to begin in 2021 and take five to six years to finish.

I thought Western Cycle was going to reopen elsewhere, say at Manchester Square.

[EdmTrekker]

That sign could have been used on the LRT station as functional living art. A museum is not always the best answer for signage that is known for its geographic "place".

[Airboy]

Originally Posted by Hallsy's Toupee

I thought Western Cycle was going to reopen elsewhere, say at Manchester Square.

When I talked to them before they closed , they were talking about reopening. A couple of suppliers said that they had not rebooked orders. I believe retirement is in order. But I will contact a friend in the industry and see what he knows. Nice to have a store downtown. Not that you can get a bike now is beside the point.

[Coldrsx]

I know it is not in the same world, but Sportchek has bikes, some service and gear for average riders.

I do agree though, that sign should be part of 124st's legacy/draw/space...

[s4.audios]

Originally Posted by Airboy

Nice to have a store downtown.

When it's all complete you will be able to take the train to Revolution Cycle. Six years is a long time for that but something to look forward to.

[feepa]

Mud sweat and gears is right besides revo too.

Western Cycle is not coming back

[Airboy]

Originally Posted by feepa

Mud sweat and gears is right besides revo too.

Western Cycle is not coming back

No sign they are coming back.

[Coldrsx]

[Black Star]

It's looking good......Just can't wait until its (Finally) done lol.

[Coldrsx]

Had to go to NAIT yesterday and took the Metro line.

It reminded me how utterly embarrassing it is.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Had to go to NAIT yesterday and took the Metro line.

It reminded me how utterly embarrassing it is.

Have the signaling issues been fixed? If so, what makes the Metro Line fall short of expectations?

[Coldrsx]

Nope.

It took nearly 30mins to get from Bay to NAIT station... THIRTY! I can walk to NAIT in that period of time.

We stopped 4-5 times mid-station and peddled at <25km/h.

Truly embarrassing.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

The signalling issues are apparently being fixed but I haven't heard a peep on its progress.

[Coldrsx]

Folks are out there working, that was clear, but progress looked slow.

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Nope.

It took nearly 30mins to get from Bay to NAIT station... THIRTY! I can walk to NAIT in that period of time.

We stopped 4-5 times mid-station and peddled at <25km/h.

Truly embarrassing.

Again, this could've all been remedied with grade separating the line over or under Kingsway and 111 Ave...