WestLRT Construction Transgression thread

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Lil Pedro

I am a real big fan of the Sunalta station. Might be the nicest station in the whole LRT system.

The south side looks gorgeous.. the north side looks so bland and cold.

[calgaryrocks]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

Am I the only one planning on riding the WestLRT when it opens just because I can?

nope, my wife and I are planning on doing that too (well maybe not right away, but we wan't to at some point), even though we are in the deep south

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

Am I the only one planning on riding the WestLRT when it opens just because I can?

I doubt that it will be on opening weekend, but I'll definitely check it out at some point shortly after it opens. I was too young to remember the original lines opening, so I only remember the various extensions that have taken place since (except Brentwood). Being able to check out an entire, brand new line is pretty unique.

[mykalberta]

Quick question on the NE-W line.

With the projected lower ridership of the W line will they be turning around certain trains downtown durring rushour to keep up with NE demand or will every train go from NE end of line to W end of line?

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

The south side looks gorgeous.. the north side looks so bland and cold.

Yeah, it's kind of a shame that the side that will get 90% of exposure to most Calgarians feels like an afterthought.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Quick question on the NE-W line.

With the projected lower ridership of the W line will they be turning around certain trains downtown durring rushour to keep up with NE demand or will every train go from NE end of line to W end of line?

As far as I know it'll go from end-to-end. If anything, there will be more trains active on the line during rush hour.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Quick question on the NE-W line.

With the projected lower ridership of the W line will they be turning around certain trains downtown durring rushour to keep up with NE demand or will every train go from NE end of line to W end of line?

I don't think it makes any sense to turn around trains. Turning around trains takes up time and slows down the rest of the trains.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

Am I the only one planning on riding the WestLRT when it opens just because I can?

I am going to take my kids one weekend soon after it opens.

They love riding the train and it will give me a chance to see the new line.

Everyone wins.

[Joborule]

Hopefully this won't be the only time this decade a new line opens. Heck, if two more are done before 2020 Calgary will be in a real sweet spot with it's transit system! This city is going through a lot of changes in many compartments; developing into a true world class city.

[Ashartus]

I still think they could've come up with a better name than "69th Street" for the end of line station that will be used to name the trains. I'm looking forward to the trains starting up though.

[Muta]

I personally think the Sunalta station isn't that aesthetically pleasing. To me, it looks like a big tin can, and the copper color just adds to the brown / flat color scheme the city experiences 7 months of the year as it is. It feels like the design is a bit of a cop out, but that's just me.

There's definitely better looking elevated platforms out there (outside of Calgary, that is).

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Hopefully this won't be the only time this decade a new line opens. Heck, if two more are done before 2020 Calgary will be in a real sweet spot with it's transit system! This city is going through a lot of changes in many compartments; developing into a true world class city.

I don't see how an entire new line would be opened by Dec 31, 2012. Are the north-central and SE lines even beyond the discussion/consultation stages?

[Freeway]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Hopefully this won't be the only time this decade a new line opens. Heck, if two more are done before 2020 Calgary will be in a real sweet spot with it's transit system! This city is going through a lot of changes in many compartments; developing into a true world class city.

Optimistic, but without the SE line progressing more than it has, I can't see that line getting done before 2020, let alone both that and the North-Central line.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I've been coming down this route for years. I know exactly how many people get on/get off, and where, and what the reduction of three buses is going to do. Add in the fact that Westbrook Station is going to be the feeder hub for a good chunk of buses, and you're going to get capacity issues.

I'd be willing to put money on this. I can immediately see that my commute is now going to be longer. Especially coming home when everyone leaves at 5 and we have to crowd the platforms with the Crowfoot line.

Prove me wrong.

Yes, you're daily commute on one bus is clearly enough information to determine that an entire leg of the LRT will have capacitly issues.

If only the guys who designed this thing had access to that level of information, perhaps this crippling reduction in transit capacity would have been spotted before they decided to build the thing.

Seriously dude, do you honestly think the people who come up with transit plans aren't capbable of looking at ridership numbers of the busses you're talking about and then checking to see if the train capacity can match that? Or do you think they just looked at the numbers, saw that it would be the horrific reduction in capacity that you seem to think it is, and just said "Eh, good enough".

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Optimistic, but without the SE line progressing more than it has, I can't see that line getting done before 2020, let alone both that and the North-Central line.

Man, 2020. That seemed liked so freaking far away not that long along. Now it's 8 years away...amazing.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Ashartus

I still think they could've come up with a better name than "69th Street" for the end of line station that will be used to name the trains. I'm looking forward to the trains starting up though.

You don't want to ride the 69 train?

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

Yes, you're daily commute on one bus is clearly enough information to determine that an entire leg of the LRT will have capacitly issues.

If only the guys who designed this thing had access to that level of information, perhaps this crippling reduction in transit capacity would have been spotted before they decided to build the thing.

Seriously dude, do you honestly think the people who come up with transit plans aren't capbable of looking at ridership numbers of the busses you're talking about and then checking to see if the train capacity can match that? Or do you think they just looked at the numbers, saw that it would be the horrific reduction in capacity that you seem to think it is, and just said "Eh, good enough".

Good sir, I believe there will be more crowding at Westbrook station than there is now due to feeder buses.

I have no doubt the "capacity" can hold the people. But now we're going to be fighting for space on the train at peak times, and partly due to the removal of buses.

I prefer breathing room and the ability to turn 360 degrees, bag in hand while I'm standing on public transit to account for sudden stoppages and momentum shifts. Not to mention not hitting the old lady in the face seated in front of me.

I pray that's not going to happen. But I'm not optimistic at 7:45 on Monday morning, when it's cold and blustering outside, and everyone wants to take the train to avoid icy driving conditions.

Are you?

If you can save me a seat, friend, I will stop complaining.

[Ozy_Flame]

^^ Well said Fotze. I'd give you two thanks if I could.

[Muta]

Love the C-Train development, but I'm with Ozy - it will likely increase my travel time now that I'm dropped off on 7th (as opposed to other areas in the core I need to get to).

Of course I will be taking the train (given that I don't have much of a choice anymore), but I too know what crowds he's talking about. This is not going to be fun on those -30 days, that's for sure (aside from the underground station heat, and the added body heat of strangers which is rather disturbing).

But then again, as an inner city resident, when the going gets tough outside (climate-wise), people seem to lose their driving ability and they swarm buses and fill them up, leaving me to wait several buses every day anyways.

I'm completely for leaving those prime bus lines as is; the train will probably be similarily full anyways. I'd be for advocating a system that is a pay-per-zone system (similiar to Vancouver and Auckland), where people further out pay more to travel longer. I'm sure I'll be cut down on this for making that statement, but I'm prepared to take the lumps.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by fotze

I can see where Ozy is coming from because there is a section of the houses around the Westbrook and 26th station (if thats what the 26th one is called) where the commute will be undeniably crappier, I too am in that area. Currently I could walk 5 minutes to the stop on Crowchild, hop on the bus, into downtown onto 9th avenue. Perfect and super fast. Same for people near bow trail.

After this, you would need to wait for and take a feeder bus to the station, walk to the platform, wait for the train, get on it and then downtown. I could eaasily see that doubling the time. I just won't be doing it. Not a chance.

But you don't design the system for every little person's situation, is annoying that the people closer to the core are now inconvenienced for those further away, but majority rules though.

I have parking now so I don't care anymore.

Also the folks in Lakeview who had an express bus that I believ is getting nixed in favour of a feeder to the station. The after LRT would absoultely be much crappier than before.

I'm looking at the map.

http://www.calgarytransit.com/pdf/We...n%20Routes.pdf

Does the 18, 20. 62 or 112 solve that? There's like 4 coloured lines on Crowchild at Killarney.Which bus did you hop on crowchild? I'm just trying to do some comparisions on how people get around.

26th station will be called Shaganappi Point