New Calgary transit fees.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by fotze

Loyal CT riders, I am a loyal CT rider but I am loyal to the dollars, as soon as I can find parking for under the bus pass price of $84 my profound loyalty can be bought for a dollar per month. Loyalty my ass.

Monthly parking for less than $84 a month? You got a loooong ways to test your loyalty! Long if you factor in gas and op costs.

I hear the East Village is wonderful this time of year. Even then, I'm not sure it's $84 cheap.

[tvp2003]

Latest update: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Ca...108/story.html

Article talks about dropping the fee to $1; also discussion about whether the fee should be applied at bus park and rides (i.e. BRT) versus c-train park and rides. Apparently some confusion as only the latter was discussed during council debates, and not the former:

Stevenson said transit let council believe only LRT lots would be affected, pointing to an early debate that focused on removing the fee at those lots.

No one from administration, he said, clarified that the fees also applied to bus rapid transit lots.

"In my mind, it's a little bit sneaky," Stevenson said, adding he's been getting complaints about the charges. "Obviously, aldermen didn't know that, because if that's the case, somebody would have picked up on it when we were debating the LRT lots."

Transit spokesman Ron Collins said all 33 park-and-ride lots were always included in the new fee.

"It's been no secret," he said. "We're not trying to fool anybody."

Ald. Joe Connelly, who supports taking the fee down to $1 a day, said he's received some complaints about a lot already charging in his west side ward.

"We did talk exclusively about LRT lots," he said of the debates, adding he should have been more on top of the ramifications. "People being penalized for riding the bus doesn't sit well with me, either.

"I think Calgarians are looking for a break and we just keep dinging them."
Calgary Transit is to report back to a city committee next month on where it will find the $1.5 million in revenue it anticipates losing with the cancellation of the fee for night and weekend parking.

The "lost" $1.5 million number for revenue from evenings/weekends still doesn't make sense IMO... their overall budget was for $6 million, so they were thinking 25% of that would be from evenings/weekends?!?

[Bobblehead]

To clarify an earlier point someone made; Transit passes are tax deductable. The parking fee is NOT deductable.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by fotze

Unless you are a consultant, then I think you can deduct parking/transpo costs.

Right, then it goes on your expense statement.

But the average working stiff can't.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Does Calgary have any alternate transportation services along the lines of NY, Boston and Philly? Boston and NY have something called "zipcar"--and in Philly it's called "Philly Car Share." It's not a bad idea for infrastructure-poor areas--might be a solid startup business model for Calgary if you've got a few million dollars burning a hole in your pocket. Gets around transit fees, parking fees, cost of car maintenance and the whole kit and caboodle...

[Ducay]

Glad the aldermen are starting to make a noise about the park and ride fees at bus stations. The whole reason they put the fee in, was to increase feeder bus usage. Thats fine by me, charge $3 at C-train stations. But charging at bus park n rides is stupid.

[Meelapo]

They were supposed to start charging $3 for the Park and Rides for buses but it doesn't seem like they've started. I park my car at NorthPointe in the NW Park and Ride (for the BRT 301) and last week there was a sign saying that pay parking was going to start on the 19th but they took it down. I've noticed other Park and Ride lots down Centre Street have had their signs taken down too. Any idea what's going?

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Meelapo

They were supposed to start charging $3 for the Park and Rides for buses but it doesn't seem like they've started. I park my car at NorthPointe in the NW Park and Ride (for the BRT 301) and last week there was a sign saying that pay parking was going to start on the 19th but they took it down. I've noticed other Park and Ride lots down Centre Street have had their signs taken down too. Any idea what's going?

North Pointe starts charging next Monday (May 25) per the Calgary Transit website: http://www.calgarytransit.com/html/park_n_ride.html

[Cowboy89]

I guess in lost revenue the city should not only calculate evening/weekend parking fees, but reduced ridership because of the fees. While they expected to get an incremental $3 per day from me they lost $5 per day of what they were already getting beforehand.

For me the combination of the parking cost and falling Downtown parking rates made driving to work a no-brainer. It's marginally more per day when you have a parking plan and factor in increased gas consumption and depreciation on your vechicle, but it's worth it once you factor in the fact that you don't have to put up with the normal inconvienences of Calgary Transit IE: trains breaking down at the slightest sign of 'unexpected' poor weather such as rain, cold, and snow, Not being able to get a seat by the time the train is at Brentwood, constant train station closings for refurbishments downtown, sick people passing on their illness, smelly smokers pressed up against you in crowded trains, drunken bums who bother everyone who are a fixture on trains outside of rush hour if you have to stay late. The once a year when you actually are counting on trains to run on time to get you to somewhere timely when some random a-hat decides it's time to end their life by jumping in front of a train during rush hour, the four or five times a year when a clueless a-hat with their headphones on walks cluelessly into the path of a train downtown during rush hour)

All in all commuting by car is far more pleasuable. I have my sirius sat radio going, my comfortable leather seats, and on average it saves me 15 minutes of commute time each way. Well worth the additional cost.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

All in all commuting by car is far more pleasuable. I have my sirius sat radio going, my comfortable leather seats, and on average it saves me 15 minutes of commute time each way. Well worth the additional cost.

I live in Ranchlands and work in Sundance. Not taking the train is a really easy choice. I save close to 2 hours/day. I am a contractor so those 2 hours are really important and more that cover the gas/depreciation on my vehicle. I am also doing my part to maintain gasoline consumption and drive the price of oil back up so I can have some job security .

[Envitro]

Originally Posted by Dion

You forgot to factor in the cost of gas and the wear and tear on your vehicle driving to and from work. That said i'd send an email to your alderman and let them know the reasons why you are now chosing to drive to work.

Oh yeah, for sure. I actually chose to not include that in my calculations because it's a wash vs. added benefit of having vehicle at work, time saved if I want to go somewhere straight from work instead of having to go on the bus & then to wherever, etc., etc. Plus another spiff is that it's mine 24/7 so I can leave my vehicle and not worry about it getting stolen or broken into.

Anyway, I agree with you, there are definitely downsides to driving in to DT every day and it does take a toll on the vehicle, but there are lots of intangibles too (like not having to ride on the bus anymore)

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by fotze

I always hate that bullcrap accounting. Lost revenue? YOU NEVER HAD IT! I lost 34 million last week in the Lotto 6/49. The province lost 100 billion in royalties if the royalty was 100%.

Thats accounting code for 'holy crap we spent it already'

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

Does Calgary have any alternate transportation services along the lines of NY, Boston and Philly? Boston and NY have something called "zipcar"--and in Philly it's called "Philly Car Share." It's not a bad idea for infrastructure-poor areas--might be a solid startup business model for Calgary if you've got a few million dollars burning a hole in your pocket. Gets around transit fees, parking fees, cost of car maintenance and the whole kit and caboodle...

The city has crushed a few of those kind of ideas. Not big into competition our city.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

Thats accounting code for 'holy crap we spent it already'

Probably on those spiffy new 'PlanIT Calgary' cutouts littered downtown earlier this week.

[pepper24]

Do they offer a monthly pass for parking? It seems like a pain in the butt to park, pay for your ticket, then head back to your car to put the ticket on the inside of your window especially in the winter or if you're running late for work.

[Dan02]

don't need a ticket, can register your vehicle by license plate over the phone.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

The city has crushed a few of those kind of ideas. Not big into competition our city.

That's a real shame. It works fantastically in the Boston area.

[Clarkey]

Dipshart Dale Hodges conveniently was out making a phone call when they were voting whether or not to re-open the discussion on this. Because of that it got voted down by all the pinko aldermen and Bronconnier.

Get your arse in there during a vote like this. It's clearly intentional that Hodges conveniently was not there to vote.

[Hemi-Cuda]

i finally lost my free parking area next to the Barlow/Max Bell station, so now i'm taking my buddy up on buying his downtown appt parking stall for $105/mo (he doesn't own a car). i wasn't going to do it if i could have kept the free parking as it was cheaper still taking the train, but now that i have to pay for parking as well it's a wash and i'll save a half hour on my commute

congratulations CT on losing another customer

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Clarkey

Dipshart Dale Hodges conveniently was out making a phone call when they were voting whether or not to re-open the discussion on this. Because of that it got voted down by all the pinko aldermen and Bronconnier.

Get your arse in there during a vote like this. It's clearly intentional that Hodges conveniently was not there to vote.

Honestly, nothing surprises me anymore...

BTW, more "on the fly" changes: http://www.calgarytransit.com/html/park_n_ride.html

Monthly Convenience Parking Passes

Starting June 1, 2009 a monthly parking pass is available for Calgary Transit Park and Ride lot customers. This pass allows customers the convenience of paying once a month rather than daily.

The cost is $60/month ($57.14 plus $2.86 GST).

The Monthly Convenience Parking Pass:

• Does not guarantee a parking stall if a lot is full.
• Can be used at any Calgary Transit Park and Ride lot.

Passes must be renewed each month. The deadline to purchase a pass is the 5th business day of each month. Passes purchased after the 5th business day will be for the NEXT month.

Fees are not pro-rated. It is best to purchase your pass ahead of time to ensure you receive the full value.

Registered license plates identify valid pass holders. There is no need to display anything in your vehicle.

The Monthly Convenience Parking Pass may be purchased in person at the Calgary Parking Authority located at 620 – 9th Ave. SW or by phone at 403-537-7000 between 8:00am and 4:15pm.

For further information, please call 403-537-7000 or email cpainquiries@calgaryparking.com.

Monthly Convenience Parking Passes are available on a first-come first-served basis.

Calgary Transit nor the Calgary Parking Authority is responsible for loss or damage however caused, to vehicles and/or to vehicle contents. Parking fee covers the sale of the parking privileges only and does not include bailee custody or liability for vehicles and /or their contents.

5 days a week x 4 weeks x $3 = $60, so it truly is a "convenience" pass only and will not save you any money unless you're using it more than 20 times a month.

P.S. They're still not charging at North Pointe (the one that Ald. Stevenson was probably complaining about since it's where the 301 originates from the North)... not that I'm complaining