Quote:
Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout
I'm not a Calgarian but here are my two cents on airport LRT.
1. You can't say you want to be a world class city but not build the infrastructure for one. Look at Halifax. They want to be world class (rightfully so) but don't want to invest in transportation infrastructure. The city needs an LRT but the closest to rail transport they've come to is a proposal to use the old freight rail lines (because everyone lives by freight rail tracks). If you're going to do it, don't cheap out.
2. Airports are vital to economic success. To make them more accessible is a good thing. Parking at the airport sucks. Doesn't matter which airport. I don't want to get off a plane at 11:30pm or 2:00am ar YQY and drive home. I don't want to have to dig my car out from 3 feet of snow at YHZ (I've done it, I'm still angry and hold a grudge Quality Inn Halifax Airport), and I don't want to get into a cab in an unknown city, paying a premium because I'm at the airport (every airport on earth). I also don't like to bum rides to the airport (but totally do). LRT makes life so much easier and smoother. I adore the UP in Toronto (it's not light rail but same principle).
3. Sure LRT to the airport helps tourists and business travelers. But it really helps locals. It makes better use of the airport for you fine folks. You'd likely get to the airport a bit earlier, meaning an extra coffee or beer at the airport before you depart which is a good thing.
If you want my two cents (which obviously you do, because no one asked me) if you want to be world class build for the future not today. You don't build a hockey team saying "why sign a superstar if we are middle of the road today?" You sign a superstar to make you a contender in June.
|
I’ve taken the 300 from downtown the airport. Limited stop bus. Sure, it’s not as sexy as a train, but time wise it’s efficient. In fact, more efficient than if you hopped on a train, waited for a transfer at the NELRT and took that downtown (which stops at every stop). That would be at least a 40min journey vs the 300, which is 30-35 minutes. So what’s the improvement besides the image of bus versus train? You certainly don’t need the capacity of a train vs bus, because ridership is pretty low relatively speaking for that journey.