[degrandprix]

What is the top speed of the LRT, 80km/h?

The 747 bus is theoretically moving at 110km/h, so with the slower speed through the city and also the stop at the outlet mall, it might work out to the same travel time.

 

[Edmcowboy11]

What is the top speed of the LRT, 80km/h?

The 747 bus is theoretically moving at 110km/h, so with the slower speed through the city and also the stop at the outlet mall, it might work out to the same travel time.

Except a person could get on the LRT at Churchill or at Clairview and not have to transfer at all going to the airport

 

[EdwardEdm]

What is the top speed of the LRT, 80km/h?

The 747 bus is theoretically moving at 110km/h, so with the slower speed through the city and also the stop at the outlet mall, it might work out to the same travel time.

Top operating speed is 70 km/h, top speed of the LRV's is 80 km/h, track and catenary are built to support 80 km/h.

 

[Barnaby]

There is nothing stopping the city from procuring trains which are rated for 120+ kmh, and building the airport leg's OCS system accordingly. It just needs to be planned, and would have to begin with this Rotem order.

 

[IanO]

What is the top speed of the LRT, 80km/h?

The 747 bus is theoretically moving at 110km/h, so with the slower speed through the city and also the stop at the outlet mall, it might work out to the same travel time.

It's as much about capacity and connecting into the system, but yes, I agree.

 

[archited]

The "Hurry up... are we there yet" crowd is not going to appreciate this much. But the LRT with a central airport connection and multi-station stops along a line stretching to downtown would be the ideal IMHO. The regularity of service could not be denied; the capacity to handle luggage could not be denied; and the friendly faces of Edmontonians could not be denied. I still believe that most would debark at the U of A stops and the smart money would bet on a Hotel/Mixed Use Project being in order there.

 

[thommyjo]

What is the top speed of the LRT, 80km/h?

The 747 bus is theoretically moving at 110km/h, so with the slower speed through the city and also the stop at the outlet mall, it might work out to the same travel time.

If you’ve ever been to a brand new city and tried to take a train vs a bus at the airport, the conversation is over.

Sure, speed might not be way better. But simplicity, weather comfort, directness, capacity, frequency…the train wins it all.

Same reason the Cartmell supporters wanting BRT over LRT for WEM to Downtown were wrong. The only argument against the current LRT that makes sense is wanting a BETTER train, like a fully elevated, automated light metro vs a tram. But downgrading to a bus is insane. There’s a reason thousands don’t currently take the bus but will take the train when it opens (even with the slower tram speeds).

 

[Tropical]

If you’ve ever been to a brand new city and tried to take a train vs a bus at the airport, the conversation is over.

Sure, speed might not be way better. But simplicity, weather comfort, directness, capacity, frequency…the train wins it all.

Same reason the Cartmell supporters wanting BRT over LRT for WEM to Downtown were wrong. The only argument against the current LRT that makes sense is wanting a BETTER train, like a fully elevated, automated light metro vs a tram. But downgrading to a bus is insane. There’s a reason thousands don’t currently take the bus but will take the train when it opens (even with the slower tram speeds).

I fully agree. I also behave this way in larger cities like Toronto, where I take the subway whenever possible even if a bus route is technically more direct.

 

[The_Cat]

With the LRT you’re not trying to remember a bus number or schedule. The trains run every five or 10 minutes.

 

[BASE]

Might be a easy priority alignment to be found between the city and province on a project like this. Other parts of the light rail network have been built out sufficiently such that there are plenty of direct or one transfer train only destinations available to feed to and from the airport. This should be some of the cheapest rail sections to build with minimal road crossings and mostly over greenfield.

 

[mcr]

What is the top speed of the LRT, 80km/h?

The 747 bus is theoretically moving at 110km/h, so with the slower speed through the city and also the stop at the outlet mall, it might work out to the same travel time.

I don't think the buses travel at 110km/h.

New Flyer XD40 lists a top speed of 105km/h, and I would think you don't want to hit that for lengthy periods if it's a max (though I could be wrong). I'd imagine they're cruising around 100km/h at most, and then also have to fight the traffic of a busy QE2 at peak times. So the difference does get a bit smaller with that in mind

 

[David A]

The "Hurry up... are we there yet" crowd is not going to appreciate this much. But the LRT with a central airport connection and multi-station stops along a line stretching to downtown would be the ideal IMHO. The regularity of service could not be denied; the capacity to handle luggage could not be denied; and the friendly faces of Edmontonians could not be denied. I still believe that most would debark at the U of A stops and the smart money would bet on a Hotel/Mixed Use Project being in order there.

I have used the LRT/747 combination and it works ok, although carrying luggage on the tight LRT cars when packed with many other riders can be a bit tricky.

As a traveler, I really like Toronto's more dedicated UP line but I don't see us getting that. However, a commuter rail line may be a bit closer to that.

 

[degrandprix]

If you’ve ever been to a brand new city and tried to take a train vs a bus at the airport, the conversation is over.

Sure, speed might not be way better. But simplicity, weather comfort, directness, capacity, frequency…the train wins it all.

Same reason the Cartmell supporters wanting BRT over LRT for WEM to Downtown were wrong. The only argument against the current LRT that makes sense is wanting a BETTER train, like a fully elevated, automated light metro vs a tram. But downgrading to a bus is insane. There’s a reason thousands don’t currently take the bus but will take the train when it opens (even with the slower tram speeds).

I should have said, I do think extending the LRT is the way to go, but I worry that if travel times are not faster it might face lots of opposition.

It would be interesting to see some data re: actual travel time, as well as extra cost to build the airport leg to a higher speed rating.

 

[Glenco]

I should have said, I do think extending the LRT is the way to go, but I worry that if travel times are not faster it might face lots of opposition.

It would be interesting to see some data re: actual travel time, as well as extra cost to build the airport leg to a higher speed rating.

Just to reiterate not having to make a connection and the anxiety it brings would make the LRT direct service more attractive

 

[Edmcowboy11]

From personal experience, I loved the fact that I was able to take the train from Narita International Airport directly to Tokyo station in the heart of Tokyo. No connections, no transfers just train ride and that was it.