Calgary Public Transit - Discussion

[BlackArcher101]

Too bad they can't sue for all the wasted time.

[Fuzz]

Wonder what we get first, a new arena, or a modern fare system?

[Jimmy Stang]

It looks like 4-car trains will start "rolling out" this month for a short test, but we'll have to wait until December for the full deal:

Three tweets from Scott Dippel @CBCScott

Starting next Tues, @calgarytransit says you'll start to notice 4-car trains on the Red Line. Two of the longer trains will be out. #cbc

The 4-car LRT trains will be out from Oct 13-23. Expanded 4-car train service to start officially in Dec. #cbc

60 new C-Train cars are on order for @calgarytransit. The first will arrive later this year. #cbc

[shermanator]

Fantastic for those who are squished every rush hour. IMO, the completion of 4 car platforms is almost as important as the completion of a new train line. Allows for more capacity on existing lines in the same amount of time.

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

It looks like 4-car trains will start "rolling out" this month for a short test, but we'll have to wait until December for the full deal:

Oh sweet, more room for drunks to bring their bags of bottles on the train.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by shermanator

Fantastic for those who are squished every rush hour. IMO, the completion of 4 car platforms is almost as important as the completion of a new train line. Allows for more capacity on existing lines in the same amount of time.

It is a shame it took so long to upgrade all of the stations, but obviously there was much work to be done.

But you're quite right: a 25% increase in capacity without sacrificing frequency - this is a big deal for commuters. This will be great even for irregular events like the surge of people after a Flames game. Each train can potentially take nearly 200 more people off of the platform than currently.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by shermanator

Fantastic for those who are squished every rush hour. IMO, the completion of 4 car platforms is almost as important as the completion of a new train line. Allows for more capacity on existing lines in the same amount of time.

Yep. I don't work downtown anymore, but I'm not sure that people who don't take the train into downtown on the red line understand how horrific it is on those trains at 8 am on a February morning. I'm surprised more people aren't hospitalized. And I can't imagine what it must be like trying to get on at Chinook or 39th Ave station seeing train after train after train pass that not a single person can fit onto.

This was long overdue.

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by Handsome B. Wonderful

Oh sweet, more room for drunks to bring their bags of bottles on the train.

Well I guess they could just go to two car trains if that will make you happier.

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

But you're quite right: a 25% increase in capacity without sacrificing frequency - this is a big deal for commuters. This will be great even for irregular events like the surge of people after a Flames game. Each train can potentially take nearly 200 more people off of the platform than currently.

It's actually a 33% increase in capacity per train. Definitely agree that this will make a huge impact on improving the service.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Handsome B. Wonderful

Oh sweet, more room for drunks to bring their bags of bottles on the train.

What a strange objection to this news.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Handsome B. Wonderful

Oh sweet, more room for drunks to bring their bags of bottles on the train.

Agreed. More room for drunks, along with everyone else is a good thing.

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

What a strange objection to this news.

Not an objection to the increased capacity, just an off the cuff comment about the increasing amount of derelicts on the train lately.

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

It is a shame it took so long to upgrade all of the stations, but obviously there was much work to be done.

But you're quite right: a 25% increase in capacity without sacrificing frequency - this is a big deal for commuters. This will be great even for irregular events like the surge of people after a Flames game. Each train can potentially take nearly 200 more people off of the platform than currently.

Originally Posted by iggy_oi

It's actually a 33% increase in capacity per train. Definitely agree that this will make a huge impact on improving the service.

It's important to note that there will not be a full implementation of 4 car trains at this time. The 33% capacity increase won't happen for quite awhile yet.

60 new LRVs were ordered and will start arriving late this year. 35 of these are earmarked for expansion (4 car trains) and 25 are earmarked to replace some of the oldest cars in the system which will be retired.

Subsequent orders will be needed to expand on the 4 car service as well as to retire the remaining 55 oldest train cars. Another 90 or so LRVs will need to be ordered to fully achieve both.

The 4 car service for now will be concentrated during rush hour and on the Red Line, so there will be some definite capacity gains when and where it is needed. Rotating out some of those older vehicles will be good too as it will make the system more reliable.

[Stealth22]

Heard on the radio this morning that CT has delayed the test of the 4-car trains?

Something about the train potentially shutting off a breaker or something?

[Ducay]

Felt like all the lights crossing 7th Ave were broken/mis-timed this morning. Assumed it was on account of the 4 car trains doing the training

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by Stealth22

Heard on the radio this morning that CT has delayed the test of the 4-car trains?

Something about the train potentially shutting off a breaker or something?

The traction power system was upgraded over the past few years to handle 4 car trains, but some stretches may not be able to handle all of the currently in-service trains in addition to all the 4 car training consists that would be going around.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Felt like all the lights crossing 7th Ave were broken/mis-timed this morning. Assumed it was on account of the 4 car trains doing the training

I've noticed the same thing to the past couple days. It's a 15min walk to work from where I park and for years the lights have been synced the same the entire time. Just recently I noticed as soon as I hit 7th ave it's timed differently. Throws me off.

[Sainters7]

Ah, that must explain the delay this morning when we first got into doontoon. I've only been relying on the train into the core a couple years now, but I've never experienced so many delays before in non-winter weather as this fall so far. Has me terrified for once the snow actually comes.

[bizaro86]

Anybody know why the city decided to switch bus providers for the community shuttles? They ordered 10 new buses from a different vendor.

http://www.marketwired.com/press-rel...us-2063798.htm

I'd be very interested in any details, pm if you don't want to post publicly.

[ken0042]

Possibly better access for passengers with mobility issues?
http://www.grandewest.com/vicinityfeatures