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Highest Q3 numbers we've had in APTA since 2019
 
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Highest Q3 numbers we've had in APTA since 2019

These numbers are very positive and a source of pride right now at ETS. Just everyone don't freak out too much when Q4 numbers are released and it shows a huge decline. The three weeks of school strike had ridership down 25% on the buses. LRT is not as affected but Q4 numbers will be brutal.
 
Interesting that aside from Bow Valley, York Transit, and GO Transit, everyone is down Sep 25 compared to Sep 24, and half are down Year to Sept 25 vs Year to Sept 24 (Edmonton is up)
I mean my bad take theories are:
- Edmonton's population growth contributing to ridership growth (this one's obvious)
- More infill around LRT helping a bit? The amount around Valley Line SE is subtle but expansive.
- CoE actually investing more in transit having an effect?
- Super unfounded but transit safety perception hit us earlier than other transit systems, so we're getting earlier recovery than other transit systems?
- Downtown recovery and RTO. Probably going to get a boost in February as well, but as downtown grows, LRT ridership grows.
- Post secondary institutional strength contributing to LRT ridership numbers
- Driving becoming a pain. Overheard multiple people finding it anxious to drive and switching to public transport for bad weather conditions and bad drivers.
 
These numbers are very positive and a source of pride right now at ETS. Just everyone don't freak out too much when Q4 numbers are released and it shows a huge decline. The three weeks of school strike had ridership down 25% on the buses. LRT is not as affected but Q4 numbers will be brutal.
If open payment launches on December 8 as intended, hopefully that'll help boost the numbers a bit more. If someone needs to head a few blocks down Whyte, go to an event, or are from out of town, being able to tap something they already have with no extra thought or effort needed, ETS will be that much more competitive with other options (including walking).
 
If open payment launches on December 8 as intended, hopefully that'll help boost the numbers a bit more. If someone needs to head a few blocks down Whyte, go to an event, or are from out of town, being able to tap something they already have with no extra thought or effort needed, ETS will be that much more competitive with other options (including walking).
Is open payment going to be based on regular $3.50 fares? Just realized that might give a big boost to fare revenue when that happens.
 
Is open payment going to be based on regular $3.50 fares? Just realized that might give a big boost to fare revenue when that happens.
I was under the impression that anyone using a card of any type (Arc Card, debit card, credit card) would be paying $3.00 while anyone using cash or purchasing an Arc Ticket from a vending machine would be paying $3.75. This is to encourage everyone to either just have an Arc Card or tap with debit or credit.

Here's a memo I came across: "Customers utilizing Tap to Pay can still benefit from fare concessions and daily and monthly fare caps, if they consistently use the same payment method. The physical and digital versions of the same card are two different payment methods. Multiple riders travelling together will each require a unique methods of payment. Customers are not required to register their cards, unless they are applying for a fare concession (student, senior, etc.). ETS paper tickets are accepted as valid payment until the end of 2025."
 
Tapping debit/credit on most transit systems is the same as cash fare. But Edmonton made the best decision of going to fare capping rather than paying up front and loading monthly passes, so they could surprise us in a good way (or bad way and tack on a $1.25 convenience fee)
 
I mean my bad take theories are:
- Edmonton's population growth contributing to ridership growth (this one's obvious)
- More infill around LRT helping a bit? The amount around Valley Line SE is subtle but expansive.
- CoE actually investing more in transit having an effect?
- Super unfounded but transit safety perception hit us earlier than other transit systems, so we're getting earlier recovery than other transit systems?
- Downtown recovery and RTO. Probably going to get a boost in February as well, but as downtown grows, LRT ridership grows.
- Post secondary institutional strength contributing to LRT ridership numbers
- Driving becoming a pain. Overheard multiple people finding it anxious to drive and switching to public transport for bad weather conditions and bad drivers.
Crosstown routes are doing well.
IMG_3955.jpeg
 
People who know more about buses than me, what are we going to be getting?

25 New Flyer Xcelsior Clean Diesels?
ETS has a long term contract, so yes.
These 25 buses should be growth buses as that was an unfunded profile that was included in the Supplemental Capital Budget Adjustment. Presumably they approved the associated operating costs. Some of the buses will go towards converting some On Demand to fixed route that have achieved sufficient ridership.

It should be noted that replacement buses are dangerously underfunded.
 

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