Calgary's $8 BILLION Transit Plan - The RouteAhead

[Bunk]

Council today reviewed the first cut at an $8 Billion 30 year Rapid Transit Plan. It's part of a comprehensive strategic plan for Calgary - The RouteAhead.

It's not only a network plan, it also looks at customer service, fiscal sustainability, governance and organization of Calgary Transit and service delivery objectives.

www.routeahead.ca

http://metronews.ca/uncategorized/37...-transit-plan/

Here's the draft proposed RouteAhead Network Plan.





The goal of the plan is not only to craft a new direction for the service, but also to highlight the need for a funding solution - $8 billion is a lot of money, and there's no current funding solution in partnership with the Provincial and Federal Governments. Transit represents by far the largest infrastructure need for cities.

What do you think of the routes? Discuss.

[Byrns]

I guess I'll be dead when the downtown subway is built.

[BlackArcher101]

If they shifted the SETWAY half a short-term to the left compared to north central, then I'd like that a bit better. How much further will those lines have to extend by 2042? Where is the major growth going to be between now and 2042?

[photon]

What's the difference between transitway and BRT?

[charper]

Overall I think the plan is a good start. They're doing the right things with engagement and the consultation component is taking an innovative approach which is refreshing and a welcome departure from the open house approach.

That said, plans are only as good as they are implemented. Clearly there will need to be a mechanism in place to be able to tweak the plan so that it can respond to emerging requirements.

The first test of Route Ahead will be the SETWAY and eventual LRT. As the NCLRT seems to be prioritized behind the SETWAY, it will be interesting to see how Route Ahead informs those decisions and whether the plan will actually be a plan, or just a suggestion.

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by photon

What's the difference between transitway and BRT?

Without clicking on the site...

I'm guessing that transitway is basically a road that is exclusively used by transit (I would also guess emergency vehicles as well). BRT may very well be transit way, however, BRT could also be a bus that uses regular road with HOV lanes (much like the 301 on Centre Street).

That would just be my guess anyway.

[charper]

Originally Posted by photon

What's the difference between transitway and BRT?

Transitway is essentially a "bus only" roadway. Ottawa is a great example of this. BRTs can use a transitway where there is no congestion from private vehicles; however, they are not required to do this. A BRT is mainly a bus which has minimal stops and additional capacity. This makes it more "rapid" when compared to a typical bus route. Transitways can be used to secure the right of way in advance of building an LRT route.

[shermanator]

IMO, the subway is the most important portion of that link, moreso than the SELRT or NCLRT. The airport link will be very important as well, but not so much from a ridership perspective.

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by photon

What's the difference between transitway and BRT?

By Calgary's definition - fully exclusive right-of-way (transitway) vs. not (BRT).

By most of the rest of the world's definition - there is no difference.

[nik-]

I'd like to see a NW to NE connector train.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Not sure where those transitways around Crowchild Trail SW and Glenmore Trail SW are going to go. It's not like there's an abundance of un-utilized room in those corridors.

[TorqueDog]

Yes to all that except the HOV. And do the 8th Avenue Subway sooner.

[Bunk]

One key point is that the timing of mode progression (toward LRT for instance in NC Calgary and SE Calgary - thought of as one line in this plan) is dependent on funding. If we are able to secure a long term funding arrangement it could mean skipping busway/transitway and going straight to LRT in some or all segments of the line. That line is over $5 billion of the roughly $8 billion plan.

[You Need a Thneed]

Bunk, is that U of C to Westbrook link a gondola? I suppose technologies aren't fully discussed at this point?

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by nik-

I'd like to see a NW to NE connector train.

Outside of the airport (basically an expanse of low intensity/barren land surrounding the actual runways and terminal) and possibly an MRU spur, having LRT lines as connectors, crosstown or ring routes won't be happening. The properties that would have to be bought up would be immense, especially for routes that would provide a secondary or auxiliary service. BRT and/or transitways are much more practical here.

[Bunk]

In the case of the "west campus mobility" line from Hospitals to Westbrok - there's potential of technology like cable-car/gondola to traverse the Bow Valley. The other option would be dedicated lanes on Crowchild, but that's challenging too and much less direct.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Bunk, is that U of C to Westbrook link a gondola? I suppose technologies aren't fully discussed at this point?

Yes, it's a possibility that Transit has studied a bit. Mode is undetermined in this plan. Technology will be pinned down at functional plan stage for each corridor.

[KelVarnsen]

I'd love to see a gondola in Calgary.

[You Need a Thneed]

Also, why doesn't the 17th Ave transit way reach all the way to the 52nd St BRT?

Edit: I see the schedule says until hubalta road, which is east of 52nd.

[SeeBass]

So what do you think is the NCLRT going up Centre street or in the valley with stations near nobody?