[kw5150]

Which is both a blessing and a curse. It's starting to get me downtown more (I mean beyond work), but yeah, there's just no incentive to not booze and drive for many people.

In the past I've done exactly what kw suggests, but many of my acquaintances are horrified at the thought. Public transportation? Why, when I can just drive (and hope the cops don't have a Checkstop)?

Horrified......lol I hear ya. I know people who would rather risk it as well and I have no idea why.

The train is a great way to go for a night out. I now live in the beltline so the train days are partly over unless I am going all the way accross downtown to go somewhere.

[Policy Wonk]

Hopefully it will mean those BUDD RDC cars sitting in Moncton will finally get used. Last time I was in Moncton I saw them shunting other via cars going in for repair and repainting and I had a chance to get on one of the refurbished ones during the train safety days. I was really impressed how nice the seats were. The onboard washroom was a nice touch too.

The washrooms had to be completely redone because they were both not particularly handicapped accessible and the "hole in the floor" system is frowned upon by various government agencies and the CPR, even though VIA Rail has been ignoring regulations to that effect for more than 20 years.

[unibrain]

Maybe it's time to consider driving OVER traffic?


http://news.yahoo.com/s/huffpost/669166


China Plans Huge Buses That Can DRIVE OVER Cars (PHOTOS)

Tue Aug 3, 4:05 pm ET
China has overtaken the United States as the world's biggest producer of greenhouse gases and biggest energy consumer.
But the country is also thinking in big and bold ways when it comes to how it will reduce pollution and a new plan to build a "straddling bus" is among the most space-age schemes yet.
In an effort to go green and relieve congestion without widening roads, the Shenzhen Huashi Future Parking Equipment company is developing a "3D Express Coach" (also known as a "three-dimensional fast bus").

The innovation will allow cars less than 2 meters high to travel underneath the upper level of the vehicle, which will be carrying passengers (PHOTOS).
According to China Hush, the 6-meter-wide 3D Express Coach will be powered by a combination of electricity and solar energy, and will be able to travel up to 60 kilometers per hour carrying some 1200 to 1400 passengers.

The first 115 miles of track is set for construction in Beijing's Mentougou district starting in late 2010. The Chairman of the Huashi Future Parking Equipment company boasts it will take only a year and 500 million yuan (around $73 million) to build the futuristic transportation system.

IN PHOTOS: See more pictures of the futuristic bus here.
http://i.huffpost.com/gen/189194/CHINA-BUS.jpg
http://i.huffpost.com/gen/189196/CHINA-BUS.jpg
http://i.huffpost.com/gen/189197/CHINA-BUS.jpg
http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/9151/slide_9151_121536_large.jpg?1280892791965
http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/9151/slide_9151_121537_large.jpg?1280892808075
http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/9151/slide_9151_121538_large.jpg?1280892820259
http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/9151/slide_9151_121541_large.jpg?1280892837851
http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/9151/slide_9151_121542_large.jpg?1280892852675

[DizzyEdge]

^^ The scary part about that is imagining "1200 to 1400 passengers" in that rendering.

[Xelebes]

They are double lane vehicles - so instead having four abreast, you could have 8 to 10 abreast.

[Dado]

They have to double track and triple track some rather tight segments with hills/valley walls (not exactly sure if you could say cliffs) bounded by the river on the other side, mostly running through a Provincial Park. In all, not the easiest proposition, hence the cost.

It's still not going to cost half a billion for upgrades to less than 40 km of track. Where did you get that figure from?

The final report of the CRP (http://calgaryregion.ca/crp/media/60495/rpt-regional transit plan - final report - dec-09[1].pdf) from last December - which had representatives from Canadian Pacific - has the following to say about capital costs (p. x of the Executive Summary):

The estimated total capital costs (in 2008 dollars) for providing three peak commuter rail branches, one to Cochrane, one to Airdrie and one to High River/Okotoks, is $1.2 to 1.3 billion, or about $285 to $330 million per corridor, and approximately $250 million for downtown trackage and station requirements, contingencies and spare vehicles.

[MalcolmTucker]

Yeah so to get one corridor running, you need to do most of the downtown work, a third of the equipment purchases, most of of the capital facilities (yard, downtown station), and then the corridor.

From your (presumably from the CRP report) numbers it is pretty easy to see how they would add up to close to $500 million.

[Policy Wonk]

Hopefully it will mean those BUDD RDC cars sitting in Moncton will finally get used...

Metrolinx is going to put out an RFP for DMU's for delivery in 2014 - that doesn't bode well for the the RDC's being used for whatever "Blue 22" comes to be called. I suspect Talgo might win this one.

[freeweed]

CT now has near-constant announcements on the PA advising everyone to stand back from the yellow line. It's actually really annoying, firstly because it's about as useful as stickers on hair dryers warning people to not use in the tub (ie: only there because of greedy lawyers). Secondly, because I like many people wear headphones and listen to music when on the LRT. We're accustomed to muting/pausing/removing an earbud when the PA squawks, assuming there's an important announcement coming on train delays, etc. Now, you do it and 99% of the time it's a warning to stand behind the yellow line (that you just heard).

I've been watching over the past few days, and myself and at least a dozen other people are stopping our iPods, listening for a second, and then getting a pissed-off look on our faces. Every single damn time.

CT, please stop with this pointless crap. It's about as useful as "do not leave your baggage unattended" at airports being repeated every 5 minutes.

[srperrycgy]

:previous: CT needs to be perceived as actually doing something about safety. Give it a couple of months and the announcements will disappear. Hard to enforce common sense though.

[freeweed]

Hard to enforce common sense though.

If it's common, there's no need to. ;)

[rail car designer]

Metrolinx is going to put out an RFP for DMU's for delivery in 2014 - that doesn't bode well for the the RDC's being used for whatever "Blue 22" comes to be called. I suspect Talgo might win this one.

any idea if this RFP will be based on the RFP released by SNC?

[korzym]

Maybe it's time to consider driving OVER traffic?


http://news.yahoo.com/s/huffpost/669166


China Plans Huge Buses That Can DRIVE OVER Cars (PHOTOS)

Tue Aug 3, 4:05 pm ET
China has overtaken the United States as the world's biggest producer of greenhouse gases and biggest energy consumer.
But the country is also thinking in big and bold ways when it comes to how it will reduce pollution and a new plan to build a "straddling bus" is among the most space-age schemes yet.
In an effort to go green and relieve congestion without widening roads, the Shenzhen Huashi Future Parking Equipment company is developing a "3D Express Coach" (also known as a "three-dimensional fast bus").

The innovation will allow cars less than 2 meters high to travel underneath the upper level of the vehicle, which will be carrying passengers (PHOTOS).
According to China Hush, the 6-meter-wide 3D Express Coach will be powered by a combination of electricity and solar energy, and will be able to travel up to 60 kilometers per hour carrying some 1200 to 1400 passengers.

The first 115 miles of track is set for construction in Beijing's Mentougou district starting in late 2010. The Chairman of the Huashi Future Parking Equipment company boasts it will take only a year and 500 million yuan (around $73 million) to build the futuristic transportation system.

IN PHOTOS: See more pictures of the futuristic bus here.
http://i.huffpost.com/gen/189194/CHINA-BUS.jpg
http://i.huffpost.com/gen/189196/CHINA-BUS.jpg
http://i.huffpost.com/gen/189197/CHINA-BUS.jpg
http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/9151/slide_9151_121536_large.jpg?1280892791965
http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/9151/slide_9151_121537_large.jpg?1280892808075
http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/9151/slide_9151_121538_large.jpg?1280892820259
http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/9151/slide_9151_121541_large.jpg?1280892837851
http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/9151/slide_9151_121542_large.jpg?1280892852675

http://gizmodo.com/5447279/kolelinia-lets-you-ride-your-bicycle-over-the-air?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gizmodo%2Ffull+%28Gizmodo%29

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/4/2010/01/500x_kolelinia_1_01_01.jpg

[The Fisher Account]

Just started a new job at City Hall.. anyone know when the City Hall platforms and station are going to be back in service?

[srperrycgy]

Just started a new job at City Hall.. anyone know when the City Hall platforms and station are going to be back in service?

June 2011.

[mersar]

Just started a new job at City Hall.. anyone know when the City Hall platforms and station are going to be back in service?

Spring or Summer 2011. They haven't really done much yet aside from starting to relocate the crossover, so I'd lean towards summer.

[The Fisher Account]

Thanks you two ^^^

[srperrycgy]

Probably complete by Stampede next year.

[lubicon]

The August update for the XRT project is out. A couple of things I found to be interesting regarding the Tuscany Station:

1. sounds like they will utilize infloor glycol heating for the station.
2. there will NOT be an escalator for this station. Not really a big deal in my opinion but something I find curious. This might be the only station in Calgary outside of downtown that does not have one and that requires climbing to leave the station.

Link is here:

http://www.calgary.ca/docgallery/bu/transportation_infrastructure/rocky_ridge_tuscany/august_2010_newsletter.pdf

[freeweed]

I'm torn about the escalator. It sure will save costs (and space) in the long run. But there are just some days when I want to be lazy coming home, whether I'm just in pain from a good day of skiing or hiking, or maybe I'm nursing some small injury. Taking the elevator (which is really intended for disabled folks) is sure to get me some pretty dirty looks from people when I'm not showing any outward signs of injury. I guess not a big deal but for those 3 or 5 times a year when climbing stairs is just sheer agony...

Holy crap that's a lot of parking. If they keep the PnR fee in place I'm willing to bet it'll be half empty most days.

I am pretty impressed with the incorporation of the Eamon's sign. I'm clueless as to the actual significance or history, but it's a landmark and a very classy thing to do.

[Rusty van Reddick]

No escalator at University...

[Innersoul1]

I like the addition of Bio-Swales or Rain Gardens. The new BC Ferries buidling in downtown Victoria incorporates this feature. It is a great efficient use of rain water and it really beautifies the exterior of the building. I believe the the U 0f C is also experimenting with them specifically at the TFL.

http://www.streetfilms.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/dsc04431.JPG
Credit: Streetfims.org

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3329/3339339795_5b687bee6e.jpg
This is a parking lot that I saw at the Northgate Shopping Centre just outside of Seattle

[You Need A Thneed]

2. there will NOT be an escalator for this station. Not really a big deal in my opinion but something I find curious. This might be the only station in Calgary outside of downtown that does not have one and that requires climbing to leave the station.


After the current renos, Whitehorn station will only have an up escalator, not a down one. The elevator will be much more prominent though, not buried in the back.

I think that the same will be the case for all of the similar NE stations after they in turn get their renos.

There's new reports of the CCC meetings for the NE extention on the city's webpage, the main new information that I could see on them is that there is now "backdoor" entrance to both platforms at Martindale station, instead of only on the inbound platform. This means that you will be able to get onto the platform from both ends of both platforms. Unfortunately, I don't think you will be able to get onto the inbound platform using the backdoor entrance from the south side of the LRT ROW - as that would require a path crossing the tracks.

[fusili]

I like the addition of Bio-Swales or Rain Gardens.

Ah, Bio-Swales. Fancy name for a ditch.

[Innersoul1]

Ah, Bio-Swales. Fancy name for a ditch.

ahem....landscaped ditch....SIR! :cool:

[fusili]

ahem....landscaped ditch....SIR! :cool:

I stand corrected.

[Aegis]

The August update for the XRT project is out. A couple of things I found to be interesting regarding the Tuscany Station:

1. sounds like they will utilize infloor glycol heating for the station.
2. there will NOT be an escalator for this station. Not really a big deal in my opinion but something I find curious. This might be the only station in Calgary outside of downtown that does not have one and that requires climbing to leave the station.

Link is here:

http://www.calgary.ca/docgallery/bu/transportation_infrastructure/rocky_ridge_tuscany/august_2010_newsletter.pdf

Why wouldn't they put an escalator in the station? That seems like a no brainer. If you install an efficient (sleep-mode) one, energy costs are minimized. Over the life of the station (the capital costs of the escalator are minimal).

[MalcolmTucker]

I think maintenance costs are the issue - especially if the station doesn't need the capacity its capacity. Does anyone remember the ridership estimate for the station?

[reflexzero]

Why wouldn't they put an escalator in the station? That seems like a no brainer. If you install an efficient (sleep-mode) one, energy costs are minimized. Over the life of the station (the capital costs of the escalator are minimal).


Might be something to do with all the nitwits who keep kicking the STOP button on the escalators in order to impress their fellow customers.

[Aegis]

I think maintenance costs are the issue - especially if the station doesn't need the capacity its capacity. Does anyone remember the ridership estimate for the station?

Geez. With all this talk about encouraging sustainable transportation, I would have thought making the customer experience for a transit user as comfortable as possible would be near the top of their priority list. Sometimes, it's the little things that matter.

[You Need A Thneed]

There will be 2 elevators in the Tuscany station instead of one elevator and one escalator.

At least that was the last plan that I've seen.

[mersar]

Yep. 2 Elevators (same as Crowfoot). Ridership estimates are not too high (about the middle of the range between the busiest and slowest stations). And from what has been said, the community seemed to be in favour of not having the escalators.

[kw5150]

I like the addition of Bio-Swales or Rain Gardens. The new BC Ferries buidling in downtown Victoria incorporates this feature. It is a great efficient use of rain water and it really beautifies the exterior of the building. I believe the the U 0f C is also experimenting with them specifically at the TFL.

http://www.streetfilms.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/dsc04431.JPG
Credit: Streetfims.org

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3329/3339339795_5b687bee6e.jpg
This is a parking lot that I saw at the Northgate Shopping Centre just outside of Seattle

Yes, if only calgary could do a bit more of this. Bio-swales privide an essential water infiltration component to every development instead of draining everything right into the storm drains and then into the bow river. Ditches are so fugly and I am glad some intelligent cities are finding new approaches to rain catchment instead of Calgary's close-minded approach to environmentalism. Every bit helps. Portland, Vancouver, Nanaimo, Victoria and seattle are really breaking ground with these bio swales and their city pride is quite apparent. We would have to use different species in our bioswales (which we do in the few we have) but the idea is the same. Thanks for posting that.

[freeweed]

Yep. 2 Elevators (same as Crowfoot). Ridership estimates are not too high (about the middle of the range between the busiest and slowest stations). And from what has been said, the community seemed to be in favour of not having the escalators.

For now, while we're all still in our 20s and 30s. Honestly, I don't think I've ever seen someone with white hair in my neighbourhood. Give it 20 years and I bet residents will be screaming for an escalator.

I don't think people are "in favour" of not having escalators so much as "not opposed" to not having them, and more likely just plain resigned to accepting it. I have a hard time conceiving of someone who uses the station actually standing up and saying "please sir, do not put escalators in the station". :D

[shreddog]

Yes, if only calgary could do a bit more of this. Bio-swales privide an essential water infiltration component to every development instead of draining everything right into the storm drains and then into the bow river. Ditches are so fugly and I am glad some intelligent cities are finding new approaches to rain catchment instead of Calgary's close-minded approach to environmentalism. Every bit helps. Portland, Vancouver, Nanaimo, Victoria and seattle are really breaking ground with these bio swales and their city pride is quite apparent. We would have to use different species in our bioswales (which we do in the few we have) but the idea is the same. Thanks for posting that.
Ummm, KW5150, you do realise that Calgary LEADS all North American cities in the area of treating surface drainage before it enters the natural ecosystem, right????

And you must certainly be aware that in Calgary over 50% of all surface drainage (rainwater, surface runoff, storm sewer collection, etc) goes through a primary filtration system whereas no other city (that I'm aware of) in North America filters even 25% of its surface runoff.

Swales look nice and can be great for PR on a small "green" projects (google literature from Cdn Assoc on Water Quality for more details) but are not ideal for retro fit in an urban core (land availability) nor large scale SFH districts.

Anyway, since Calgary has the best treatment of water management in Canada (and NA) I would say that our pride is as good as those with the landscaped ditches!

Edit: Sorry for going OT, guess this should be moved to the "Swales: Conduits of conscience or straits to hell" thread! ;)

[You Need A Thneed]

Yup, Calgary manages its storm water better than pretty much every other city on the planet, and is continually trying to improve it. A "Bio-swale" here or there is nice, but really is just a bucket in the ocean compared to how much storm water needs to be handled.

Calgary has NOTHING to be ashamed of in that area.

[The Fisher Account]

I work for the City and there's a huge misconception that storm water is treated.

IT IS NOT.

[thager]

just read on CPTB that the first nova has arrived at sg .

[You Need A Thneed]

I work for the City and there's a huge misconception that storm water is treated.

IT IS NOT.

Not treated like sewer water, no. But a high percentage of it receives primary treatment - I.e. solids are allowed to settle out of it.

[Innersoul1]

Not treated like sewer water, no. But a high percentage of it receives primary treatment - I.e. solids are allowed to settle out of it.

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't this subject to location. For examaple many of the newer communities have storm water retention ponds. This would allow for the settling of solids, however, communities that abut the river would see their storm water go directly into the water.

[fusili]

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't this subject to location. For examaple many of the newer communities have storm water retention ponds. This would allow for the settling of solids, however, communities that abut the river would see their storm water go directly into the water.

More like subject to the time built. New communities require storm water ponds and facilities as a matter of subdivision requirements. These didn't exist when most of Calgary was built and are in fact quite a recent development. Storm water ponds are needed because infiltration significantly decreases with developed land (more impervious surfaces) and so more water enters the river directly without being infiltrated into the ground water table. Stormwater ponds act as holding tanks to allow water to slowly infiltrate the ground water table over time.

The whole issue with stormwater management is that water in urbanized areas entering the river is: too hot, too much, has too much dissolved minerals and has too little dissolved oxygen (or too much, I kinda forgot). Basically water flowing over impervious surfaces messes fish up.

Stormwater ponds mitigate this by reducing the volume of water flowing into the river, cooling it down, allows minerals to settle (and some to be absorbed through bio-filtration) and re-establishing an appropriate level of dissolved oxygen.

[You Need A Thneed]

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't this subject to location. For examaple many of the newer communities have storm water retention ponds. This would allow for the settling of solids, however, communities that abut the river would see their storm water go directly into the water.

Subject to location yes, but the city is working on building storm ponds in older communities and closer to the river as well.

[Aegis]

Does anyone else find it a stretch to refer to BRT as "rapid transit"? Notwithstanding the acronym, it seems like a stretch to me. To me, "rapid transit" means high-speed rail.

That being said.. I think setting up at least a BRT route from downtown to the airport is a much better use of infrastructure funds than the airport tunnel. Would be even better if they had specially-designed busses that could handle people with a few pieces of luggage each. Comments?

Edit, for clarity: If funds were considered limited, and we could only choose one of the two projects.

[You Need A Thneed]

That being said.. I think setting up at least a BRT route from downtown to the airport is a much better use of infrastructure funds than the airport tunnel. Would be even better if they had specially-designed busses that could handle people with a few pieces of luggage each. Comments?

Both need to happen, for unrelated reasons.

[Innersoul1]

Thanks Fusilli and YNAT.

[fusili]

Does anyone else find it a stretch to refer to BRT as "rapid transit"? Notwithstanding the acronym, it seems like a stretch to me. To me, "rapid transit" means high-speed rail.

That being said.. I think setting up at least a BRT route from downtown to the airport is a much better use of infrastructure funds than the airport tunnel. Would be even better if they had specially-designed busses that could handle people with a few pieces of luggage each. Comments?

Edit, for clarity: If funds were considered limited, and we could only choose one of the two projects.

Calgary's "BRT" is anything but. Other cities, like Curitiba, Bogota, Adelaide etc actually have BRTs. Calgary has an express bus, or more properly named, a limited-stop bus.

A BRT should have several of the following elements:
- Off-vehicle fare payment (not in Calgary)
- Multiple entry doors (not in Calgary)
- Exclusive lanes (or at least sections thereof) (Calgary does not have)
- Easily identifiable stops (Calgary partially has)
- Higher capacity vehicles (Calgary has)
- Traffic signal control or advanced signals (Calgary kinda has)
- Limited stops (Calgary has)

So Calgary basically has two elements of a BRT, limited stops and larger buses, and partial elements of a few others (identifiable stops, traffic signal control) but is missing the three most critical elements: exclusive lanes, off vehicle fare payment and multiple entry doors. Calgary Transit can fool most people with the BRT label, but many of us on this forum would disagree with calling it a BRT.

[Aegis]

Calgary's "BRT" is anything but. Other cities, like Curitiba, Bogota, Adelaide etc actually have BRTs. Calgary has an express bus, or more properly named, a limited-stop bus.

A BRT should have several of the following elements:
- Off-vehicle fare payment (not in Calgary)
- Multiple entry doors (not in Calgary)
- Exclusive lanes (or at least sections thereof) (Calgary does not have)
- Easily identifiable stops (Calgary partially has)
- Higher capacity vehicles (Calgary has)
- Traffic signal control or advanced signals (Calgary kinda has)
- Limited stops (Calgary has)

So Calgary basically has two elements of a BRT, limited stops and larger buses, and partial elements of a few others (identifiable stops, traffic signal control) but is missing the three most critical elements: exclusive lanes, off vehicle fare payment and multiple entry doors. Calgary Transit can fool most people with the BRT label, but many of us on this forum would disagree with calling it a BRT.

Why is off-vehicle fare payment critical? I think the issue with BRT in Calgary is not necessarily transporting vast numbers of people.. but transporting a slightly lesser amount of people for longer distances..or am I wrong there?

[thager]

the novas have started to arrive.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q61/tbhager/Trent/140810-02458ct8101.jpg
thanks to peter from busdrawings for the pic

[fusili]

Why is off-vehicle fare payment critical? I think the issue with BRT in Calgary is not necessarily transporting vast numbers of people.. but transporting a slightly lesser amount of people for longer distances..or am I wrong there?

Off-vehicle fare payment allows passengers to board quickly. The time it takes for each passenger to show the driver their fare is considerable. This factor is multiplied when the vehicle is high capacity. It can take minutes just for people to get on the bus. Boarding times are a incredible hinderance to maintaining speed and accurate headways. Off-vehicle fare payment also allows for boarding from multiple doors.

There was a study done in New York that found out that the time cost of having passengers pay the fare to the bus driver was actually higher than the cost of the fare itself.

[srperrycgy]

New +15 to 4th St W platform:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4891833283_0d3f7ea2db_b.jpg

Very funky. I like this one. :cool:

[Policy Wonk]

any idea if this RFP will be based on the RFP released by SNC?

I have no idea, but I suspect they will be looking to distance themselves from SNC's efforts.

[wmp.dll]

the novas have started to arrive.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q61/tbhager/Trent/140810-02458ct8101.jpg
thanks to peter from busdrawings for the pic

So when will we see these hit the streets? Any specific routes that I will be able to catch them on? :)

[mersar]

So when will we see these hit the streets? Any specific routes that I will be able to catch them on? :)

They'll be based out of SG from what we've heard so far (as most new buses usually are), and I'd expect to see them on any route that gets a 40' bus currently. The first 3 are here of 40 (give or take, it may be 32 as Regina took 8 from either Calgary's order or Calgary's options for next years order), so probably in September or October for them to hit the streets (brand new bus model for Calgary from a new manufacturer so probably some learning to do first)

[Aegis]

Why did CT decide to start buying Nova busses? As opposed to staying with New Flyer? (and increasing efficiency through compatible parts, etc)

[mersar]

They put out a tender and Nova happened to be the better bid. And while I won't disagree about efficiencies, considering CT is buying between 40 and 80 of them, its a small factor. Especially if they are a better bus (as many of the CT operators say they are from experiencing them in other cities)

[Aegis]

They put out a tender and Nova happened to be the better bid. And while I won't disagree about efficiencies, considering CT is buying between 40 and 80 of them, its a small factor. Especially if they are a better bus (as many of the CT operators say they are from experiencing them in other cities)

I'm sure they go through a basic project analysis, but I gotta wonder how buying 40-80 units that are different from the majority of the fleet (requiring new training programs, a different parts inventory, and different service life) would be a reasonable choice.

[freeweed]

New +15 to 4th St W platform:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4891833283_0d3f7ea2db_b.jpg

Very funky. I like this one. :cool:

Good to see Calgary has its own bridge to nowhere.

[rail car designer]

I have no idea, but I suspect they will be looking to distance themselves from SNC's efforts.

that would really be a shame as that specification was one of the best I've ever seen. very performance based.

[h0twired]

the novas have started to arrive.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q61/tbhager/Trent/140810-02458ct8101.jpg
thanks to peter from busdrawings for the pic

On appearances alone it looks like a rather low budget bus.

New Flyer's new Excelsiors hit Winnipeg streets a few weeks ago.

http://www.awesysnet.ca/cptdb/uploads/IMG_0003.JPG

[SubwayRev]

Off-vehicle fare payment allows passengers to board quickly. The time it takes for each passenger to show the driver their fare is considerable. This factor is multiplied when the vehicle is high capacity. It can take minutes just for people to get on the bus. Boarding times are a incredible hinderance to maintaining speed and accurate headways. Off-vehicle fare payment also allows for boarding from multiple doors.

There was a study done in New York that found out that the time cost of having passengers pay the fare to the bus driver was actually higher than the cost of the fare itself.

Here's an article on that study: http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/05/ff_komanoff_traffic/

[fusili]

Here's an article on that study: http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/05/ff_komanoff_traffic/

Thanks dude. I read too much stuff and always forget where I read it. Interesting read for sure.

[You Need A Thneed]

NE LRT Extention Update:

VfiLPiI1xhw

[kw5150]

Love the new hybrid buses. Some compettion is always a good thing

[srperrycgy]

:previous: They're not Hybrids.

[You Need A Thneed]

:previous: They're not Hybrids.

Didn't the City buy a few hybrid busses from a couple of different manufacturers to try them out? If so, have they arrived?

I know this order of Novas isn't hybrid.

[mersar]

Didn't the City buy a few hybrid busses from a couple of different manufacturers to try them out? If so, have they arrived?

I know this order of Novas isn't hybrid.

The hybrid order was scrapped from what I recall. Makes sense, pretty much everywhere else has had nothing but trouble from their hybrids (ETS bought 6 of them and 2 of them haven't been in service in a year or more, and actually disappeared from ETS's yard earlier this year. The other 4 break down daily and the most common sighting is them being towed back to the garage)

[You Need A Thneed]

The hybrid order was scrapped from what I recall. Makes sense, pretty much everywhere else has had nothing but trouble from their hybrids (ETS bought 6 of them and 2 of them haven't been in service in a year or more, and actually disappeared from ETS's yard earlier this year. The other 4 break down daily and the most common sighting is them being towed back to the garage)

It's probably good to not be an early adopter for some things like this.

Weren't the hybrid buses almost double the price as well?

[Riise]

On appearances alone it looks like a rather low budget bus.

New Flyer's new Excelsiors hit Winnipeg streets a few weeks ago.

I'm not a big fan of the appearance of the Novas. On the other hand, the Excelsiors look nice!

[You Need A Thneed]

I was wondering...

If that really is a pic of Calgary's new Nova Buses, why doesn't it have Nova's updated headlight style?

Nova Bus (http://www.novabus.com/transit-solutions/vehicules/nova-lfs.html)

[mersar]

Probably CT requested that style lights.

Peter has posted a pile of closeup shots now on his site at http://www.busdrawings.com/Transit/alberta/calgary/nova/8101-8140/index.htm, including interior photos.

[You Need A Thneed]

Fatal pedestrian accident on the NE line around lunchtime.

Calgary Herald Story. (http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/service+disrupted+pedestrian+fatality/3409419/story.html)

The accident was at 36th Street and 26th Ave, right beside the Peter Lougheed Hospital. I saw the stopped train and flashing lights went Iwent out for lunch.

[mersar]

Fatal pedestrian accident on the NE line around lunchtime.

Calgary Herald Story. (http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/service+disrupted+pedestrian+fatality/3409419/story.html)

The accident was at 36th Street and 26th Ave, right beside the Peter Lougheed Hospital. I saw the stopped train and flashing lights went Iwent out for lunch.

CBC is saying police think its a suicide, though the Herald story was from after and its usually not mentioned if it was or not if it actually was.

[Ramsayfarian]

CBC is saying police think its a suicide, though the Herald story was from after and its usually not mentioned if it was or not if it actually was.

This is why Calgary needs taller bridges.

[mersar]

9 of the Nova's have been spotted in Calgary so far (7 at SG, the other 2 were spotted early this morning parked at a truck stop on Peigan Trail and will likely by at SG by now) according to reports on CPTDB

[reflexzero]

NE LRT Extention Update:


Yeah they just put in the chain link fence sound wall next to my house. Nothing but the best!

I can already see that the 2 street level crossings mixed with the furious lane-changing and two more sets of traffic lights on the NW corner of Saddletowne Circle are going to be a major clusterbomb when completed.


So, the question is, will my property value increase or decrease when Saddletowne station is opened?

[MalcolmTucker]

Depends on noise exposure vs walking distance to the station. Also whether the noise is just trains, or if it includes bells.

Just me, but I would be ok buying a place with a good soundwall with train sounds, not so much with crossing bells.

I would bet a wash or an increase is likely, but hard to measure since the market is moving so much in any case.

[mersar]

Noticed yesterday that they've started the rebar and form work for the new west bound side of city hall station. Nothing started on the east bound side yet though

[mersar]

Fall service revisions are out (http://www.calgarytransit.com/html/fall_service_revisions_2010.html)

Quite a few increased freqencies above and beyond going back to normal fall/winter/spring scheduling. Routes 6, 11, 12, 14, 32, 46, 78, 137 all get increases, route 427 is no longer and a number of revisions to the routes to correspond with the opening of the Douglas Glen and McKenzie Towne park and ride lots which open on the 30th.

[srperrycgy]

Fall service revisions are out (http://www.calgarytransit.com/html/fall_service_revisions_2010.html)

Quite a few increased freqencies above and beyond going back to normal fall/winter/spring scheduling. Routes 6, 11, 12, 14, 32, 46, 78, 137 all get increases, route 427 is no longer and a number of revisions to the routes to correspond with the opening of the Douglas Glen and McKenzie Towne park and ride lots which open on the 30th.

Yep. The #6 goes back to 20min freq. during the day like before. :tup:

[mersar]

Yep. The #6 goes back to 20min freq. during the day like before. :tup:

Yep, I'm liking that change the most of any. Helps that both the #3 and the #6 stop essentially beside my new place, so no shortage of ways of getting downtown and to the CTrain even more frequent.

[kap384]

First pre-cast platform piece is down on 4th St. station. Hopefully more to come soon.

[CTrainDude]

Looks like the tunnel forms are starting to go up at the 64th Avenue tunnel to the NE extension...

[RicoLance21]

Yeah they just put in the chain link fence sound wall next to my house. Nothing but the best!

I can already see that the 2 street level crossings mixed with the furious lane-changing and two more sets of traffic lights on the NW corner of Saddletowne Circle are going to be a major clusterbomb when completed.


So, the question is, will my property value increase or decrease when Saddletowne station is opened?

I don't mind the C-Train noise, but the crossing bell noise would prevent me from considering a property there.

[reflexzero]

I don't mind the C-Train noise, but the crossing bell noise would prevent me from considering a property there.

Well, guess I'll be moving before the line opens in 2012, which is too bad as I've watched my community grow up over the last 10 years.

[magnetite]

Got to ride one of those Nova buses you guys were talking about. Not in Calgary though. I'm currently in Kelowna for a week or so. Pretty neat stuff.

[mersar]

Figured I'd post a shot of the work at Brentwood thats been underway for nearly a month now. Just rebuilding the bus loop, shifting it a tiny bit further southwest to give more room for the lane that runs along Crowchild which has historically been quite tight. Also will be new modern shelters on the loop and new electronic displays.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/4947629440_3a2edc05a0_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/33872918@N06/4947629440/)
Brentwood Bus Loop Reconstruction (http://www.flickr.com/photos/33872918@N06/4947629440/) by Jason R. Reid (http://www.flickr.com/people/33872918@N06/), on Flickr

[yads]

Is google maps transit directions broken for anyone else? I've submitted a report to google, but in the mean time I've been forced to use Calgary Transit's trip planning :yuck:

[DarkKeyo]

Figured I'd post a shot of the work at Brentwood thats been underway for nearly a month now. Just rebuilding the bus loop, shifting it a tiny bit further southwest to give more room for the lane that runs along Crowchild which has historically been quite tight. Also will be new modern shelters on the loop and new electronic displays.


Am I reading correctly? Are we finally getting some of the 'Electronic Displays' promised for quite a while now? We haven't even got clocks at the newer stations, like Brentwood used to have, like Whitehorn has as far as I know still has. We don't have anything resembling technology newer than the invention of the escalator or elevator, really. New stations don't even have public phones, as a friend of mine found out when his cell phone died.

I look forward eagerly to even a clock (showing what time CT thinks it is) at any bus loop. I also look forward to the electronic displays and new ticket machines that were promised a year or two ago. Weren't those funded and supposed to be implemented sometime this or next year?

I like that they're replacing the somewhat aged bus shelters, and I hope some of the other bus loops get the same treatment. And the stations, getting the treatment Whitehorn is getting (particularly the 29 year old south ones).

As an aside: I can see my home in that picture.

[MalcolmTucker]

^ Projects have to be done by April as they were funded by stimulus funds. Going to be lots of small projects over the next months, or rather building the backends for all these systems.

[SubwayRev]

Can anybody direct me to some info about the expansion to four-car platforms? I can't seem to find anything on the City's website. (big suprise!) I was discussing it with soembody the other day, and wanted to find some budget numbers, timelines, etc.

Thanks!

[mersar]

Not much has been said, the most info anywhere is in this press release (http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/releases-2010-h050e-5913.htm) from transport canada:

Four-car LRT Station Platforms — $60 million
To increase CTrain capacity, suburban station platforms will be lengthened to accommodate future four-car trains along the south and northwest LRT. The scope involves station upgrading in the south at Fish Creek, Canyon Meadows, Anderson, Southland, Heritage, Chinook,39th Avenue, Erlton and Stampede, and along the northwest at Brentwood, University, Banff Trail, Lions Park, SAIT and Sunnyside.
LRT Traction Power Upgrades — $30 million
Upgraded electrical substations, overhead wiring and associated facilities are required to accommodate four-car trains and conduct lifecycle maintenance.
That was for the announcement of $270M that was from the city, province and feds, with the federal money coming from both the stimulus plan (projects to be completed by March 2011) and the building Canada fund (projects to be completed by spring 2015).

Of course the fact they are starting on the NE instead does throw the reliability of what was in the PR in question, whether they changed where they are upgrading with those funds or if the NE is being done using other money.

[SubwayRev]

Thanks for that mersar!

I'm starting to wonder if this project isn't 10 or 15 years away, then it could increase capacity by 33% with minimal investent.

[srperrycgy]

First pre-cast platform piece is down on 4th St. station. Hopefully more to come soon.

Yep, a whole platform form full of the pieces:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/4952460677_535174c8fc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lrtincalgary/4952460677/)
New4STW-09022010-1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lrtincalgary/4952460677/) by srp775 (http://www.flickr.com/people/lrtincalgary/), on Flickr

[You Need A Thneed]

Shuttle bus service only between Franklin and MKWW this whole weekend. There is maintenance being done at marlbourough, and I believe that the platform might be getting replaced ( and the extended platform panels put on too) at whitehorn station.

Edit: I think the switches south of whitehorn station are being replaced too.

[CTrainDude]

Shuttle bus service only between Franklin and MKWW this whole weekend. There is maintenance being done at marlbourough, and I believe that the platform might be getting replaced ( and the extended platform panels put on too) at whitehorn station.

Edit: I think the switches south of whitehorn station are being replaced too.
Stringing catenary for the new crossover at Marlborough, and tieing in the signals for it. Replacing two switches at Whitehorn, and I belive pouring the ramp on the south - no platform replacement yet.

[DarkKeyo]

Stringing catenary for the new crossover at Marlborough, and tieing in the signals for it. Replacing two switches at Whitehorn, and I belive pouring the ramp on the south - no platform replacement yet.

Really? They're running out of weekends/weather to close the line.

So, it is a new crossover. Good, the NE line needs more of those... and the S line, too. And that line also needs platform replacements and station upgrades... I hope we can afford to do all of them...

[Ramsayfarian]

Is Calgary getting some like this?


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/4958418807_0120da6e6c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kurt-b/4958418807/)
ETS Platinum (6002) Interior (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kurt-b/4958418807/) by KBauschardt (http://www.flickr.com/people/kurt-b/), on Flickr

[srperrycgy]

CT's Proposed Airport Access Plan:

http://www.calgarytransit.com/pdf/Proposed_Transit_Service_Plan_for_YYC.pdf

[MalcolmTucker]

Well good thing we have elected officials that will fix that gobbledigook. Centre St tram and NC LRT?
http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/6015/airportaccess.jpg

[fusili]

CT's Proposed Airport Access Plan:

http://www.calgarytransit.com/pdf/Proposed_Transit_Service_Plan_for_YYC.pdf

Why is Calgary Transit so off base with everything they do. Trams (and everyone should know how much I love them) are not a f*&king express service. Trams are slow. Taking a tram from the airport to centre street to downtown would be ridiculously slow. A tram that goes up centre street to maybe 40th avenue would be okay. But to the airport? Facepalm.