Calgary Public Transit - Discussion

[ken0042]

Keep in mind- he is talking avenues; not streets. As the train travel north-south beside 9th street.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Rathji

I think the cost to start the SE LRT, to perhaps Shepard or maybe even Quarry Park, would be miniscule compared to the cost to do the downtown subway.

I don't think that's true, because the SE LRT would be cut and cover on 2nd Street. For the cost of the 8th Ave Subway, the SE LRT might get from Eau Claire to Inglewood.

Originally Posted by mykalberta

The south line currently runs every 2-6 minutes at peak times according to the CT website. What problem does a 800M subway solve? Does it allow for trains every 3 minutes? I think that adding an extra 30% capacity to every current train is going to help for a long time.

I personally think the reason alot of people want the subway is because they think that will decrease downtown traffic congestion. CT doesnt and shouldnt care about limiting traffic issues downtown as they are trying to compete for traffic into downtown. Their only reasoning with a subway should be operational and capacity concerns.

It reduces the congestion of trains. The problem the subway solves is that after that 33% capacity increase from 4 car trains, (which I'm not sure is sufficient even today), no further capacity increases are possible without the subway. IIRC, the due to not having switches, not sharing the line, no traffic lights, and the potential for 5 car trains, the subway allows for about 400% capacity increase.

[frinkprof]

Chinook Station Closure

Reminder that Chinook Station closes January 14th for 8 months to be torn down and rebuilt.

Buses that would normally stop at the Chinook Station bus loop will stop at a relocated temporary terminal on 3rd Street. There will be a shuttle operating between Chinook Station and 39th Avenue Station.

http://www.calgarytransit.com/html/c...tion_info.html

[4X4]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

Chinook Station Closure

Reminder that Chinook Station closes January 14th for 8 months to be torn down and rebuilt.

Buses that would normally stop at the Chinook Station bus loop will stop at a relocated temporary terminal on 3rd Street. There will be a shuttle operating between Chinook Station and 39th Avenue Station.

http://www.calgarytransit.com/html/c...tion_info.html

It makes me wonder how much more CTrain we could have right now if the original stations weren't those big ugly brick buildings with escalators and all that indoor heated space. Now we're tearing them down 25 years later to build at grade crossings with glass canopies. I mean, whose idea was it to build those things anyway? And why was it necessary to climb and descend stairs to traverse the tracks, when you still had to walk right over tracks right after you left half of these stations?

[SebC]

I'm actually wondering if, once we have the ability to run trains on a 90-second headway (so, a long way into the future - once we have the 8th Ave Subway) we'll regret getting rid of the overhead access.

I also appreciate having heated space at the platforms.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by SebC

I'm actually wondering if, once we have the ability to run trains on a 90-second headway (so, a long way into the future - once we have the 8th Ave Subway) we'll regret getting rid of the overhead access.

I also appreciate having heated space at the platforms.

A 90 second headway would require full grade separation, which would mean that the whole line is being rebuilt anyway.

[frinkprof]

Northeast LRT Station Refurbishment/Platform Extensions

The six remaining northeast line stations will be refurbished in 2013 and 2014, and have their platforms replaced and extended.

Rundle, Marlborough and Franklin stations will be done in 2013 with Barlow/Max Bell, Zoo and Bridgeland stations being done in 2014.

The platforms will be completely replaced in all cases and furnishings, shelters, etc. will be upgraded. In some cases, the pedestrian overpass accesses to these stations will be replaced as well.

The first station scheduled for refurbishment is Rundle Station. Construction starts late this month. The station will be able to remain open most of the time, save for the platform replacement, which will take place over a long weekend (not sure which one yet - but my guess is Family Day long weekend or Good Friday long weekend) when the station will be closed. Marlborough Station construction starts in March.

Here's a before/after rendering (not that great a rendering, but you get the idea):

Spoiler!

More information: http://www.calgary.ca/Transportation...xtensions.aspx

------------------------------

With this news, the completion of the 4-car capacity upgrades becomes more clear, but the following stations are still up in the air.

University - Only a 4 month window to work with due to the school year.

SAIT - See University. Also has an enclosure on either end - one or both of which will have to be completely or partially torn down.

Victoria Park/Stampede - Timing is difficult for this one due to Stampede, hockey season and other events that make this a critical station for much of the year.

Banff Trail - Should be done during the football offseason. Not as difficult as Victoria Park/Stampede, but not without constraint.

Anderson - No temporal or site constraints other than it is a busy transfer station.

Lion's Park - Should be the easiest of the remaining stations. The schedule for this one is known. Starts Spring 2013 and lasts 6 months. Will be open for much of that time.

39th Avenue - Somewhat difficult due to site conditions. Might need a road closure of 39th Avenue.

[JazzyFlame]

Thanks for the update frinkprof.

Does anyone know what the latest news is on the SE line?

[frinkprof]

^First phase of SE Transitway has been approved by City Council. Awaiting funding.

[JazzyFlame]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

^First phase of SE Transitway has been approved by City Council. Awaiting funding.

Thankyou!

What is the first phase? and is there a timeline?

[frinkprof]

I probably misspoke with the term "phase," at least at this juncture. What's going ahead right now is just a predesign study for the SETWay. The phases are to be determined this year, then can move ahead upon receiving funding.

From Ald. Shane Keating's blog dated Dec. 12th, 2012:

Up to $10 Million has been set aside for a detailed SETWAY predesign study.

The detailed predesign phase will commence in the Spring of 2013 with the GreenTRIP funds.

• The first stage is to finalize the alignment and station location. This will provide information on the land required including the new maintenance facility location.

• The next stage is to look at a phasing plan to move from a dedicated bus-way to an LRT.

• The third stage is packaging a phase that can be costed and if The City has money move to tender.

http://shanekeating.blogspot.ca/

[rayne008]

This is pretty cool, as I thought they had a huge set back a few months back...

All ticket vending machines at Calgary Transit CTrain stations are now able to accept both credit and debit cards as payment for tickets.

Initially only one machine per station was modified to accept credit and debit card payments when some ticket vending machines were retrofitted over a year ago.

“The feedback from our customers since the initial installation has been phenomenal,” said Calgary Transit Director Doug Morgan. “Customers have been telling us they really find it convenient to pay their fares using credit and debit card payments and would like to see it extended to all of our ticket vending machines.”

“As a result, we have extended the service to every one of our 152 ticket machines across the transit system.”

Mayor Naheed Nenshi praised the initiative. “This enhances the customer experience and provides an easy and convenient option to pay Calgary Transit fares. This is a great example of transforming government and putting the citizen first in all we do,” Mayor Nenshi said.

Ticket vending machines accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express and INTERAC.

All ticket vending machines also return change if tickets are purchased using cash.

[polak]

"Lets pat ourselves on the back for doing something we should have done in 2003"

[Jimmy Stang]

I wonder if they allow you to purchase more than one ticket per transaction yet. Accepting plastic is long overdue, but when I tried it out with my wife a few months ago, we had to complete the entire process twice. Not the end of the world, obviously, but I would expect it to be more efficient.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by rayne008

This is pretty cool, as I thought they had a huge set back a few months back...

I think you're mixed up with the reloadable card.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by rayne008

This is pretty cool, as I thought they had a huge set back a few months back...

All ticket vending machines at Calgary Transit CTrain stations are now able to accept both credit and debit cards as payment for tickets.

Initially only one machine per station was modified to accept credit and debit card payments when some ticket vending machines were retrofitted over a year ago.

“The feedback from our customers since the initial installation has been phenomenal,” said Calgary Transit Director Doug Morgan. “Customers have been telling us they really find it convenient to pay their fares using credit and debit card payments and would like to see it extended to all of our ticket vending machines.”

“As a result, we have extended the service to every one of our 152 ticket machines across the transit system.”

Mayor Naheed Nenshi praised the initiative. “This enhances the customer experience and provides an easy and convenient option to pay Calgary Transit fares. This is a great example of transforming government and putting the citizen first in all we do,” Mayor Nenshi said.

Ticket vending machines accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express and INTERAC.

All ticket vending machines also return change if tickets are purchased using cash.

Thats all I need, is some d!ck trying to pay for his 1-way fare with his credit card.

Hopefully you can only pay for a set amount with Credit card or hopefully they have been able to work out some reduced fee with the credit card companies.

I am all for allowing someone to use a CC for a 4 + ticket purchase, but 1 ticket seems almost too convenient as to increase the costs that CT already has.

The one thing they do need to change and hopefully this does is the ability to purchase more than 1 ticket. Why that limitation is even in place is beyond me.

[rayne008]

Do these machines use the 'tap to pay' technology?

[frinkprof]

^No. Not yet anyway. I think a new RFP was issued for a replacement to the stillborn Connect smartcard system.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by rayne008

Do these machines use the 'tap to pay' technology?

Coming to Calgary Transit Summer 2023

[4X4]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Thats all I need, is some d!ck trying to pay for his 1-way fare with his credit card.

Hopefully you can only pay for a set amount with Credit card or hopefully they have been able to work out some reduced fee with the credit card companies.

I am all for allowing someone to use a CC for a 4 + ticket purchase, but 1 ticket seems almost too convenient as to increase the costs that CT already has.

The one thing they do need to change and hopefully this does is the ability to purchase more than 1 ticket. Why that limitation is even in place is beyond me.

Oh geez. So you are never, ever, ever going to ever buy just one ticket with your debit card? You're always going to have cash on hand to pay your fare?
Well why don't you just keep a spare train ticket in your wallet and stick it in the validation machine and not worry about people that are only buying one ticket with plastic.