[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Makarov

By that logic, New Yorkers struggle even more with embracing transit.

Also, as you have identified, high prices are the result of two factors: supply and demand. In Calgary's case, I would argue that the most significant factor in high parking prices downtown are the restrictions the city has placed on parking supply.




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...s_by_ridership

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-Train:

Here is where things get uncomfortable for Calgarians, politically.

Ridership is outpacing growth, but train infrastructure is not outpacing ridership.

I think you can pretty easily bet where the demographics for that ridership are coming from, and it's not, in say (delicately), the CaptainCrunch or Cheese demographics.

One thing I think is pretty safe as a statement is that in terms of mass transit, if you build it, they will come. I can't think of a properly run mass transit system in the world with declining ridership numbers. I know in the case of Vancouver, the Canada line (downtown to Richmond/YVR) has already vastly surpassed ridership expectations in only it's third year in service. The system as a whole is still bursting at the seams, even during non-peak hours.

According to Makarov's article, ridership increase is largely attributed to servicing otherwise unserviced suburbs.

Before they think of opening a station at the airport and running a line out there, maybe the rationale above should be examined. Build lines to all of Calgary's communities and then organize a hub to the airport.