The Great Canadian Transit Thread

[Coldrsx]

It's not on ETS' radar, but thankfully there is an initiative to include it in an enhanced corridor that could extend it further north to MacEwan (which would also allow it to tie-into the 112st West Valley Line stop to help complete the integration.

The gondola south terminus would be adjacent to the south streetcar and the north gondola terminus is at Central Station and a major bus station.

We love the historic cars, but add a siding and incorporate some futuristic 60s/70s early LRT models from Germany and run them as heated/year-round options.

https://www.highlevelline.com

[J.OT13]

• Video Link

Ottawa's stations hit some of these (redundant elevators and accessible fare gates), good number of fare vending machines, but misses on a lot of others with small, cramped subway entrances, narrow platforms, single or no escalators (expectation Rideau and one Parliament with doubles).

Montreal stations are amazing but lack accessibility. Toronto seem too cramped or way overbuilt. Vancouver strikes a good balance, if it wasn't for single elevators and some cramped Canada Lines stations and trains (we stayed in Yaletown once, and even outside rush hour, the lack of fare gates were problematic).

Can't speak for other systems in Canada.

[Reecemartin]

This week I got to travel to Ottawa to check out their lovely new Stadler FLIRT trains to be used on O-Train Line 2, but these trains aren't just going to be a great fit on this line - they could and should be used in many other cities in North America. Enjoy the tour!

https://youtu.be/HcmIkyblcv8

[Coldrsx]

Carrie Hotton-MacDonald
(She/Her) • 1st
Branch Manager, Edmonton Transit Service
1h • 1 hour ago

Lots of gratitude this a.m. for the people choosing transit with me. We hit our highest level of ridership recovery last week, with 84% of normal!

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Carrie Hotton-MacDonald
(She/Her) • 1st
Branch Manager, Edmonton Transit Service
1h • 1 hour ago

Lots of gratitude this a.m. for the people choosing transit with me. We hit our highest level of ridership recovery last week, with 84% of normal!

Sounds about right. TTC these days feels like it's back to pre-pandemic levels.

[Coldrsx]

Festival/Stampede traffic though or actual usage/commuting.

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Festival/Stampede traffic though or actual usage/commuting.

Well that sure wouldn't be the case in Edmonton!

[Coldrsx]

'Final testing' at the north terminus of the Valley Line; apparently targeting a 'pre-Sept' opening, but who really knows. Exciting either way.


https://twitter.com/stephenraitz/status/1549818632472911873

[Coldrsx]

Last night I had the opportunity to learn more about the Calgary Airport Banff Rail project from the friends of CABR. What a tremendous opportunity to realize the combined benefits of a commuter and tourism service.

This has the potential to help relieve labour pressures in the area and provide a more environmentally friendly way for the millions of tourists to visit this special place.

A key component to its success will be the needed infrastructure once people arrive at stations; this includes walkable, bikeable and improved transit options upon arrival.

Exciting times to say the least and much more to come soon.

Needed provincial support is the next hurdle.

[J.OT13]

Video on the O-Train Confederation Line, with some history and an overview of station by station.

• Video Link

[swimmer_spe]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Last night I had the opportunity to learn more about the Calgary Airport Banff Rail project from the friends of CABR. What a tremendous opportunity to realize the combined benefits of a commuter and tourism service.

This has the potential to help relieve labour pressures in the area and provide a more environmentally friendly way for the millions of tourists to visit this special place.

A key component to its success will be the needed infrastructure once people arrive at stations; this includes walkable, bikeable and improved transit options upon arrival.

Exciting times to say the least and much more to come soon.

Needed provincial support is the next hurdle.

Banff does have the Roam bus service. I'd imagine a redesign of the routes to better serve the train and the area would happen. Maybe they might see the need to rebuild the Lake Louis LRT.....

[Coldrsx]

Roam is fantastic and I use it regularly, but it would need more regular service and there would need to be more development around the stations to support things... which is planned

[swimmer_spe]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Roam is fantastic and I use it regularly, but it would need more regular service and there would need to be more development around the stations to support things... which is planned

This could really highlight the use of rail and transit for parks to the point that we may see things happen for places like Algonquin or others. Maybe a Jasper-Banff train...

[Coldrsx]

Jasper Banff would never happen, but maybe... maybe Edmonton-Jasper again.

[swimmer_spe]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Jasper Banff would never happen, but maybe... maybe Edmonton-Jasper again.

...that is kinda what I mean with a connection between Calgary and Edmonton

[Coldrsx]

The challenge is that Edmonton is 3x Calgary to a similar location.

[swimmer_spe]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

The challenge is that Edmonton is 3x Calgary to a similar location.

There would be lots of challenges with doing this. I do agree though that an Edmonton - Jasper train makes sense and could happen. I am just thinking of people wanting to go to the one further away.

[Coldrsx]

There was a 'ski train' which went up Fri and came back Sunday and it was wonderful, but expensive and required transport when there.

I used to take the VIA Canadian Fri morning (or mid-morning or afternoon depending on when it showed up), but the return was Tues or Wed and so had to find a way back.

I cannot see enough demand to do it, but can see this happening for Banff as the tourism/visitor numbers are 6x.

[whatnext]

Reading this article in Bloomberg I'm wondering if Canada has the same problem. Certainly here in Vancouver Translink is constantly advertising for drivers:

America’s Bus Driver Shortage Has Left Transit Systems in Crisis
With the nation’s current drivers retiring in large numbers, agencies need to cultivate a new generation of transit operators, a new report says.
By Skylar Woodhouse
July 20, 2022 at 3:00 AM PDT

The number of bus drivers across the US is declining as many retire or seek higher-paying private-sector jobs that require less in-person contact.

The shortage is creating a major challenge for transportation agencies as they try to revive their systems and win riders back after taking steep losses throughout the pandemic, according to a report by TransitCenter, a public transportation advocacy group, released on Wednesday. The report sheds light on the industry and what agencies can do to retain workers and attract younger drivers....

....In a recent American Public Transportation Association survey of 117 transit agencies, 71% reported that they have either had to cut service or delay service increases because of worker shortfalls, according to the report. More than nine out of 10 said they were having difficulty hiring new employees, with nearly two-thirds struggling to retain workers....

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/...c&utm_source=twitter&utm_content=citylab

[Truenorth00]

The US is also terrible at higher order transit which increases the productivity of transit workers. In Canada, the expansion of higher order transit has kept bus fleets from even growing at the same rate of population.