Calgary Public Transit - Discussion

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Incredible incompetence to "believe" Telvent's promise to do better next time, after firing them once already. Should have cut bait and moved on long ago on what sounds like a substandard system in the first place.

What are we procuring Sea Kings here?

Has technology even moved on from a loaded card system? Maybe we just move onto Visa PayWave / Interac Flash / NFC technologies?

[billybob123]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Has technology even moved on from a loaded card system? Maybe we just move onto Visa PayWave / Interac Flash / NFC technologies?

Problem is how to handle monthly passes?

[Addick]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Yes, but if this is what I had to show my boss after after being tasked 5 years ago with implementing a system, I'd be fired. Customization of an existing system wouldn't take that long either.

Calgary Transit has definitely made mistakes themselves and retaining Televent was one of those mistakes. The process isn't straightfoward, however, it is not as complicated as Televent made it.

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Has technology even moved on from a loaded card system? Maybe we just move onto Visa PayWave / Interac Flash / NFC technologies?

I'd say it is advancing but the medium has not become obsolete. For example, Transportation for London (TfL) has readers that accept Oyster Cards (TfL's Smart Card) and Touchless Credit Cards.

[albertGQ]

I have a question. Was cleaning the house recently and found a partial book of adult tickets. The price on them is $2.75. Can I still use a ticket on its own is do I have to throw in $0.50 with every ticket?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

I have a question. Was cleaning the house recently and found a partial book of adult tickets. The price on them is $2.75. Can I still use a ticket on its own is do I have to throw in $0.50 with every ticket?

Officially, CT's rules say you have to pay the difference, but I've never had a bus driver ask for it.

[Cuz]

Originally Posted by getbak

Officially, CT's rules say you have to pay the difference, but I've never had a bus driver ask for it.

Correct, the rules say one thing, but the practice is different. The only time I personally asked for someone to pay the difference is when an adult has tried to use a youth ticket.

[Regular_John]

It's just mind boggling to me that cities still have such a hard time implementing these systems in this day & age.

I can pay for starbucks from my damn phone.
Disneyland handles a multitude of passes/meal plans/purchases through NFC cards and bracelets.
Other cities/countries have complex zone pricing with trains/ferries/buses/streetcars... even competing train companies... hell competing payment cards, and it all works.

But for whatever reason Canadian cities just seem immune to being able to competently roll this stuff out.

[CliffFletcher]

While we're ranting about transit, any word on when all stations will be four-car capable? When they started this initiative what, 11 years ago, I don't recall anyone saying it was a 15-year plan.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by clifffletcher

while we're ranting about transit, any word on when all stations will be four-car capable? When they started this initiative what, 11 years ago, i don't recall anyone saying it was a 15-year plan.

q4 2015/q1 2016

[sleepingmoose]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

While we're ranting about transit, any word on when all stations will be four-car capable? When they started this initiative what, 11 years ago, I don't recall anyone saying it was a 15-year plan.

Stations are all already 4-car capable - they're just waiting for an order of new trains to start arriving in the fall so they have enough cars to assemble 4-car trains.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by sleepingmoose

Stations are all already 4-car capable - they're just waiting for an order of new trains to start arriving in the fall so they have enough cars to assemble 4-car trains.

Is the Somerset-Tuscany line all four cars now? I remember reading a tweet a while ago and they mentioned the other line was 4 car ready but it didn't' mention if the Somerset-Tuscany line was. Good news if it is.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Robbob

Is the Somerset-Tuscany line all four cars now? I remember reading a tweet a while ago and they mentioned the other line was 4 car ready but it didn't' mention if the Somerset-Tuscany line was. Good news if it is.

The CT site says that 4-car platforms are complete on both lines and we could see 4-car trains in late 2015.

I have also heard what was mention earlier by sleepingmoose: platforms are all done and now we're waiting for trains.

[temple5]

Transit tax in Vancouver got rejected - only 38% voted yes.

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/ca...anadian-cities

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...ticle25228292/

Coles notes: voting for temporary 1/2% sales tax increase (&->7.5) to cover 7.5B in transportation projects. The province and Feds had already commited, so the municipalities were looking for a way to cover their 1/3 share or 2.5B.

Here is what they were voting on. http://mayorscouncil.ca/information-centre/ After looking at that I can see why it failed, they made the question to complicated, tried to please everyone instead of focussing on a few key high priced projects.

Did anyone from Vancouver metro area follow this closely? Is TransLink really that corrupt? From reading a few articles it would appear that was the largest reason for the NO vote was that ppl didnt trust TransLink to spend the money effectively.

I do find it a bit humorous that the supports of the losing side instead of blaming their campaign are blaming the whole idea of referendums. And one professor from UBC blamed people for taking their frustrations for TransLink on the vote. I really wonder if that guys professorship should be removed because if you are voting on giving an organization 250M/ a year to spend and you dont trust them to spend it appropriately then that would seem to be a pretty big problem.

I cant say I disagree with them in that you elect people for a reason to make the tough decisions and in this eras political climate its very easy for politicians to pass the buck to the electorate instead of making grown-up decisions. Only have to look to Greece to see what happens when elected officials are to scared shat-less of losing their jobs they would rather blame the people.

[temple5]

If Calgary had a similar vote in place I think it would pass if it included fixing Crowchild/Bow/Memorial interchange and adding the Green Line. But thats just me.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by temple5

I cant say I disagree with them in that you elect people for a reason to make the tough decisions and in this eras political climate its very easy for politicians to pass the buck to the electorate instead of making grown-up decisions. Only have to look to Greece to see what happens when elected officials are to scared shat-less of losing their jobs they would rather blame the people.

Another element is that such referendums are usually not required for road infrastructure.

[temple5]

Originally Posted by Addick

Another element is that such referendums are usually not required for road infrastructure.

Not in Canada though, but very common in the US for big ticket projects.

[STeeLy]

I'm surprised they didn't consult with the company that runs Presto in Ontario... they seem to have the monthly pass/electronic fare system figured out pretty well...

[para transit fellow]

Airdrie get real-time bus information

http://airdrietransit.transloc.com/

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by para transit fellow

Airdrie get real-time bus information

http://airdrietransit.transloc.com/

I admit, that's pretty damn cool.

[para transit fellow]

Montreal's OPUS transit pass system final gets the ability to reload from home... if you buy a $17 gadget to re-load the pass..

http://montrealgazette.com/news/loca...s-for-the-home

However the gadget is not completely well- received:

http://montrealgazette.com/storyline...dget-sorry-stm