The Answer to Calgary's cab Problem....

[MJM]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/sto...-downtown.html

Good god, do they think people are that stupid? This doesn't correct the problem at all. A "Ride home" taxi stand, what a joke. Still the same amount of people wanting a ride home at the exact same time. As if having 20 drunks line up in a queue on 17th Avenue isn't going to create some fights. Seems to me they are creating more of a problem. How the hell can you walk away from a potential altercation when you have to stand in line with the other party?

The answer is more licenses, plain and simple, but the corrupt monopolies that run the industry in Calgary will never let that happen.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Seems like a good idea to me. Having drunk people all catch cabs at the same place doesn't seem to be an issue anywhere else (Vegas?).

[MJM]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Seems like a good idea to me. Having drunk people all catch cabs at the same place doesn't seem to be an issue anywhere else (Vegas?).

It works when there's enough cabs that they don't have to wait for more than 2 minutes (like Vegas). I go to Vegas three times a year and I've never once waited for a cab. Step out, and got one instantly. Vegas is also open all night meaning not everyone is staggering out at the same time.

The city of Calgary is trying to prevent this type of mob type exodus that is currently happening, how is stopping that accomplished by sending everyone to the same spot?

[Ducay]

Ive never had issues getting a cab downtown; as long as you migrate towards a higher traffic area (or near a bar), you're fine.

[MJM]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Ive never had issues getting a cab downtown; as long as you migrate towards a higher traffic area (or near a bar), you're fine.

I've waited for close to an hour multiple times downtown to get a cab. It's a pretty big issue.

Try getting through on the phone to get a cab home on Friday or Saturday night. Next to impossible. It's not just a downtown issue.

[Hack&Lube]

The solution is to stop urban sprawl so residential and entertainment districts can be more concentrated along with having integrated residential and commercial areas integrated so cabs cab be used more efficiently and more people can walk instead of driving.

[MJM]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

The solution is to stop urban sprawl so residential and entertainment districts can be more concentrated along with having integrated residential and commercial areas integrated so cabs cab be used more efficiently and more people can walk instead of driving.

How is this even related to urban sprawl? Most of the people taking cabs are the young working professionals and university students, the majority of which don't live in the burbs. Most people that live in the burbs keep their drinking close to their home or don't utilize taxi service to begin with

In my opinion, "Urban Sprawl" is becoming an excuse for Calgarians to avoid recognizing some of the major issues they don't want to admit their Utopia in their own mind has.

[BurningYears]

I wouldnt call this rage, but It would be super awesome if they provided Bus service on the weekends (friday/saturday) night a little bit later then midnight. If I remember correctly the transit system in Vancouver runs alot later then it does here. You've got to wonder if theres some sort of lobby group for the cabbies haha.

I know that not too many people are done drinking by midnight and I love paying 2.75 compared to 20 for a cab. I know it wouldnt be feasible on all routes but at least on some of the major routes like the 108/3/72/73/20 for example.

kinda like this would be awesome
http://www.translink.ca/en/Schedules.../NightBus.aspx

NightBus

TransLink runs 12 NightBus routes that cover more ground than the three SkyTrain lines! Look for routes that start with "N" when looking up bus schedules, or use Trip Planner to find your best late-night route.




Good to Know:

• 11 of the 12 NightBus routes originate in downtown Vancouver
• All NightBuses leave downtown Vancouver at 2:09, 2:39 and 3:09 a.m., except the N24 Upper Lonsdale, which leaves between 2:02 and 3:05 a.m.
• The last N10 Richmond Centre leaves downtown at 4:44 a.m.

View our NightBus Route Map for a network overview of our late-night service.







Request-a-Stop: If you feel safer getting off the bus at a point between two regular bus stops, between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. you can "Request A Stop". The bus driver will let you off if he or she believes it's safe to do so. Note: You cannot "Request A Stop" along an express or limited-stop portion of a route.

I posted this in another transit thread, but think that It could potentially help this problem as well, damn you cabbies.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by MJM

How is this even related to urban sprawl? Most of the people taking cabs are the young working professionals and university students, the majority of which don't live in the burbs. Most people that live in the burbs keep their drinking close to their home or don't utilize taxi service to begin with

In my opinion, "Urban Sprawl" is becoming an excuse for Calgarians to avoid recognizing some of the major issues they don't want to admit their Utopia in their own mind has.

It's not the only cause of the issue, but urban sprawl is absolutely related. It's not becoming the excuse in Calgary, people are just finally waking up to the downsides of it.

Young professionals and university students don't live in the burbs?
As a young professional who was recently a UofC student, and sells homes near the heart of Calgary's core, I can tell you this is completely off.
A large majority of them do live in the burbs.

I couldn't keep count of the amount of young professionals I've met in the last 2 months, who bought townhouses in places like New Brighton and are now looking at shifting to DT/Beltline because they're sick of the $80 cab rides home on the weekend.

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

I couldn't keep count of the amount of young professionals I've met in the last 2 months, who bought townhouses in places like New Brighton and are now looking at shifting to DT/Beltline because they're sick of the $80 cab rides home on the weekend.

Once they sober up they'll realize it wasnt worth the extra $50-100k to live downtown so they can get drunk on friday and saturday.

[Tron_fdc]

I'm totally gonna drive by these lines and pick up car loads of girls.

Thanks Calgary, you just opened up a whole new marketplace for drunk women!!

[CaptainCrunch]

How would I solve the problem?



$5.00 per person and we'll get you to your door, or through your front window.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Once they sober up they'll realize it wasnt worth the extra $50-100k to live downtown so they can get drunk on friday and saturday.

How do you figure it costs an extra $50-100k to live downtown? My wife and I bought a condo in the beltline in 2007 (when real estate prices in Calgary were at their peak) for about $300k, which is similar or even less than the price of most homes in the suburbs. Moreover, we don't pay a dime for our daily commutes, saving us thousands every year.

[Bobblehead]

Doesn't his kind of already exist?

When Cowboys was around there was a continual stream of cabs out front. I'm sure there are other places that are the same way today.

Why not give this a try? It gives people a place to expect to find a cab, it gives cabs a good place to find a fare. If it works, great. If not, what harm has been done?

I'm sure there will be a few tweaks required. Some stops will be popular, some won't. But once those get figured out I can't really see a downside.

[Matty81]

Pretty much going to have to wait at peak times no matter what. There's never going to be enough cabs at peak times because that many cabs can't make a living on weekdays.

Its funny to me that people are complaining to the city in Calgary like having cabs waiting for them is a service they pay for or something. Classic Alberta, don't want to pay any taxes but blame the government about everything.

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

How do you figure it costs an extra $50-100k to live downtown? My wife and I bought a condo in the beltline in 2007 (when real estate prices in Calgary were at their peak) for about $300k, which is similar or even less than the price of most homes in the suburbs. Moreover, we don't pay a dime for our daily commutes, saving us thousands every year.

I doubt the square footage of the property is close to the same. Plus the cost of parking your vehicle somewhere. Why compare apples and oranges? Its worthwhile for you to live there since you have no commute. But I know a few people who lived and worked in the burbs that moved downtown for the same reason you outlined in your original post, be closer to the party scene. I just think you can take a hell of a lot of cab rides for the additional cost of living downtown.

[MJM]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

It's not the only cause of the issue, but urban sprawl is absolutely related. It's not becoming the excuse in Calgary, people are just finally waking up to the downsides of it.

Young professionals and university students don't live in the burbs?
As a young professional who was recently a UofC student, and sells homes near the heart of Calgary's core, I can tell you this is completely off.
A large majority of them do live in the burbs.

I couldn't keep count of the amount of young professionals I've met in the last 2 months, who bought townhouses in places like New Brighton and are now looking at shifting to DT/Beltline because they're sick of the $80 cab rides home on the weekend.

Your opinion that young professionals live in the burb is not correct, it's just based on a couple people you know. I work at a large firm downtown whose work force is likely 70% in the age of 23-30 (hundreds of people). I am also responsible for a lot for the recruiting activities for the firm. I can count in one hand the amount of people in that group that live anywhere past the university in the north or past Chinook mall in the South.

The people moving out to the burbs are generally in their late 20's/early 30's and are starting a family. Not the people who are using cabs to begin with.

Like you mentioned, there are a few idiots who move out to the burbs to buy a townhouse because they can't afford to buy anything to begin with, but they would be a real minority out there. They quickly learn what a mistake it is if you still want the party lifestyle.

My wife and I live in the burbs, and let me tell you, we are the only single family, 28 years olds that live within blocks of where we live. Our house is the only house in the cul-de-sac with lights on past 9 pm and the only one who doesn't have kids jumping down at 8 am.

[Jason14h]

Seems like a smart idea to me. Is it the be all solution? No. But it should help!

[MarchHare]

I doubt the square footage of the property is close to the same.

That's true, but our condo is sufficient for our living requirements. A bigger home in the suburbs would just be unnecessary wasted space.

Plus the cost of parking your vehicle somewhere.

We pay $0 for that.

Why compare apples and oranges?

I don't believe I am. My housing needs are two bedrooms, a kitchen, a pantry, a bathroom, and a living room. Those needs can be met either by an urban condo/townhouse or a home in the suburbs. For my personal situation, the total annual cost of living downtown is much less than the cost of living in the burbs. I realize this won't apply to everyone, though.

But I know a few people who lived and worked in the burbs that moved downtown for the same reason you outlined in your original post, be closer to the party scene.

My original post? That was my first post in this thread, and I didn't say anything about wanting to be closer to the party scene. I choose to live downtown because it's both convenient and cost-effective for me from a walkability perspective. My workplace and 99% of the errands I need to run are within walking distance of my home.

Besides, I'm a married guy in my 30s -- the nightclub party scene has no appeal to me whatsoever.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Once they sober up they'll realize it wasnt worth the extra $50-100k to live downtown so they can get drunk on friday and saturday.

Define worth.
The extra $50-$100K gives them the lifestyle they want and a property in an area that will be of higher demand and higher value moving forward. The extra money put into it, is usually outperformed by the higher profits/investment they get out of it on the sale end.

But, to each their own. I'm not trying to preach that everyone should live DT, and it's kind of off topic anyhow. Just saying, the city's wide footprint and inconvenient cabs/transit are highly related.

Originally Posted by MJM

Your opinion that young professionals live in the burb is not correct, it's just based on a couple people you know. I work at a large firm downtown whose work force is likely 70% in the age of 23-30 (hundreds of people). I am also responsible for a lot for the recruiting activities for the firm. I can count in one hand the amount of people in that group that live anywhere past the university in the north or past Chinook mall in the South.

We're arguing your opinion vs mine based on each others experience; Kind of pointless.
My opinion is based on much more than a couple of people I know, it would be hundreds of people I know and demographic research I have done for work; but lets agree to disagree.

And I don't disagree with you on needing more cabs either. I think a combo of more urban density, more cabs, better transit (and later running) are all needed to alleviate the issues.