Park 'n' Ride fee credited for reduction in LRT parking lot crime

[Eagle Eye]

Originally Posted by stampsx2

Shawnessy and especially Somerset. People that start before 8am don't have normal jobs and don't live in a normal city?

Haha what? I start work at 7:30 so I have no clue what you are trying to say.

I get to the Fish creek station at 6:50 and there are a lot of spots left (like 75% empty), and then there are still the lots up on the top of the hill too.

[algernon]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

Yeah, I kind of doubt that number.

<Then proves me wrong.>

Touché.

I'm not ragging on the subsidy angle. I just want people to accept the 'hardships' of living in the 'burbs. I know there is not enough inner-city land to go around, but if people want to contribute to our sprawl, why shouldn't they shoulder some of the costs they are creating? Should I get a tax break for living in an established community that 'has paid for itself'?

[Jackpot_Smooth]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

People with normal jobs in normal cities don't have to go to work before 8am.

I hate how it's become "normal" in Calgary, LRT parking issues being part of the reason.

I'm at the station at 6am to avoid the rush, going home earlier.

[Bigtime]

Crime is down and we are complaining? What are we, Winnipeg?

[Bill Bumface]

Having to get on the train at 7AM when I believe downtown is no further than 30minutes from any train station means you are going to work early.

In Calgary, 8-5 is pretty standard. Places like Toronto that ranges a lot more because of everyone having brutal commutes.

I find it crazy how you can work 8:30-5:30 and be the "late" guy because everyone else is in before 8.

You'll find that most of the world finds going to work before 8 very strange.

Hence my point of showing up to the LRT and getting parking at 7am no problem doesn't really demonstrate that the system works. It demonstrates that Calgarians are retareded/forced to work early because of LRT parking shortages.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

The one thing that comes to mind is that P3 options will be looked at for the construction and possibly operation of the SE LRT. McIver made a motion to have City administration prepare a report on alternative funding models for the SE LRT. It is due back to council in July, so we may see the SE LRT become a plank in some mayoral platforms after that. It should be said that this idea isn't really a McIver Original. They are basically looking to follow something like the Canada Line (Vancouver) model.

What is the Canada Line model? I know they charge a premium to anyone getting on at the airport, but obviously they can't do that for the Calgary SE LRT.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Having to get on the train at 7AM when I believe downtown is no further than 30minutes from any train station means you are going to work early.

In Calgary, 8-5 is pretty standard. Places like Toronto that ranges a lot more because of everyone having brutal commutes.

I find it crazy how you can work 8:30-5:30 and be the "late" guy because everyone else is in before 8.

You'll find that most of the world finds going to work before 8 very strange.

Hence my point of showing up to the LRT and getting parking at 7am no problem doesn't really demonstrate that the system works. It demonstrates that Calgarians are retareded/forced to work early because of LRT parking shortages.

I think it has more to do with the fact that financial markets in Toronto and New York open at 9:30 Eastern time. A lot of corporate work has to revolve around doing business with people in that time zone.

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Having to get on the train at 7AM when I believe downtown is no further than 30minutes from any train station means you are going to work early.

In Calgary, 8-5 is pretty standard. Places like Toronto that ranges a lot more because of everyone having brutal commutes.

I find it crazy how you can work 8:30-5:30 and be the "late" guy because everyone else is in before 8.

You'll find that most of the world finds going to work before 8 very strange.

Hence my point of showing up to the LRT and getting parking at 7am no problem doesn't really demonstrate that the system works. It demonstrates that Calgarians are retareded/forced to work early because of LRT parking shortages.

While I agree that 8 AM being a late start time would be strange in a lot of places, I don't think it's because of LRT parking shortages. Roughly half of downtown commuters take transit to work, and then about another half of those people are taking the train (as opposed to bus). Only 10-15% of LRT riders use Park N' Ride.

The reason for the earlier/longer work days in Calgary is just culture and more specifically corporate culture. I know for us, and I assume lots of other people in the oil and gas or o/g service industries, a 7 or 7:30 start is normal. For us, it is because our guys in the field start that early (or earlier) and the office people have to be there to communicate with them as issues arise, etc. Also, our clients start that early too.

EDIT: Plus what Cowboy89 said above.

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by SebC

What is the Canada Line model? I know they charge a premium to anyone getting on at the airport, but obviously they can't do that for the Calgary SE LRT.

It has to do with how it was built and operates. The Canada line was built using a P3 (Public-private partnership). Basically:

- Translink (Vancouver region's equivalent of Calgary Transit) specified route, preferred station locations and capacity in pphpd (persons per hour per direction) in an RFP (request for proposals)

- A few competing bids from private consortia were accepted. Things like vehicle technology, station platform length, station design and construction methods were left up to these private bidders. What the line would end up looking was left pretty wide open. The winning consortium was also to enter into a contract with Translink to operate the line for a term of 30 years, while the line would officially be owned by Translink.

- The winning bid was by a joint venture called "InTransitBC," which was headed up by SNC Lavalin, who is now building a the West LRT in Calgary under a much different P3 scheme (more below)

- The line was completed last year and is now operated privately. Translink takes over operations after the 30 year term.

What Calgary did with its West LRT project was a watered-down version of this which they called a Design-Build. The City of Calgary dictated vehicle technology, station design, alignment, etc. and will operate the West LRT line when it is completed. There was a similar bid process (which was won by a different joint venture, also involving SNC Lavalin) which will be responsible for constructing the line. I believe they also ended up with some city-owned land in the process. They also prepared reports on the costing of the trench option along 17th Ave. between 40th street and Sarcee Trail SW, which council then decided upon.

Anyway, long story short, the City is now exploring and reporting on options for a much different P3 process for the SE LRT that will look much more like how the Canada Line was done.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_Line

[Clarkey]

I secretly look down on co-workers who start after 8. Especially the under 30 guys who don't have kids. I think there's no excuse for coming in after 8 in 'the patch', it's against the culture. It's one of my secret superiority complexes... right up there with secretly looking down on co-workers who smoke and looking down on guys who dress too casual.

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Having to get on the train at 7AM when I believe downtown is no further than 30minutes from any train station means you are going to work early.

In Calgary, 8-5 is pretty standard. Places like Toronto that ranges a lot more because of everyone having brutal commutes.

I find it crazy how you can work 8:30-5:30 and be the "late" guy because everyone else is in before 8.

You'll find that most of the world finds going to work before 8 very strange.

Hence my point of showing up to the LRT and getting parking at 7am no problem doesn't really demonstrate that the system works. It demonstrates that Calgarians are retareded/forced to work early because of LRT parking shortages.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Clarkey

I secretly look down on co-workers who start after 8. Especially the under 30 guys who don't have kids. I think there's no excuse for coming in after 8 in 'the patch', it's against the culture. It's one of my secret superiority complexes... right up there with secretly looking down on co-workers who smoke and looking down on guys who dress too casual.

[GGG]

I think the fee in the Park and Ride lots should be based on demand rather than cost to operate. The goal should be to have the lots have a few spots open all day and fill up at around nine. So for a station like bridlewood/sommerset it is working pretty good. I usually their around 7 but I went in late last week and their were about 10 spots or so open around 8:30.

Anderson's lot though should be a lower price because there is lower demand and the lots sits empty all day. It is a under utilized asset.

[dubc80]

Originally Posted by Clarkey

I secretly look down on co-workers who start after 8. Especially the under 30 guys who don't have kids. I think there's no excuse for coming in after 8 in 'the patch', it's against the culture. It's one of my secret superiority complexes... right up there with secretly looking down on co-workers who smoke and looking down on guys who dress too casual.

I hope they return the favor and look down on you when you leave at 5:00 and they are still there till 5:30 or 6:00.