[Infrastructurist]

Yeah the account based card was leading edge from 1995-2015 or so … given we never did that, better to just skip that technology generation and go straight to credit/debit tap on the buses.

This is true, but at the same time I don't really think it should just be completely bypassed. Given that they had a leading edge in 1995-2015 as you mentioned that proves that they're reliable and well understood. Having a card system could also be extremely beneficial in future expansions i.e. the transit system the province wants connecting the two major cities, banff, etc. and not to mention that a card doesn't just bring "innovation" and "environmental" impacts, but they also allow us to assess patterns, and transit behaviour using data derived from card usage which could be used to optimize transit in the near future.

 

[darwink]

proves that they're reliable and well understood

Alas, this is just not true. To implement one that works requires accepting tradeoffs that make it barely more useful than paper passes and tickets, or ballooning in scope and complexity to try to implement what people think are basic features but are really hard to do (fare capping, online accounts (and non-proximity reloads), automatic reload (even harder, automatic reload with a frequency more often than once a day), lost card / balance transfers between cards).

The card/account systems work by having every reader having an individual copy of every card ever issued stored locally, updated periodically. Card systems without accounts are crazy simple in comparison and have existed since the late 60s.

 

[darwink]

they also allow us to assess patterns, and transit behaviour using data derived from card usage which could be used to optimize transit in the near future.

Much easier just to sniff up bluetooth data.

 

[trtcttc]

This is true, but at the same time I don't really think it should just be completely bypassed. Given that they had a leading edge in 1995-2015 as you mentioned that proves that they're reliable and well understood. Having a card system could also be extremely beneficial in future expansions i.e. the transit system the province wants connecting the two major cities, banff, etc. and not to mention that a card doesn't just bring "innovation" and "environmental" impacts, but they also allow us to assess patterns, and transit behaviour using data derived from card usage which could be used to optimize transit in the near future.

You can do all of this with credit card tap and pay. As long as the person uses the same card, it has the same fare capping, transfer, usage tracking as a closed-card system. We're likely going to see card systems like Presto (Ontario), Oyster (London), Octopus (HK), Easycard (Taiwan) and many others phased out in the next few decades. They're expensive to operate and now that they've added open payment, there's no advantage to the closed card system.

 

[Infrastructurist]

You can do all of this with credit card tap and pay. As long as the person uses the same card, it has the same fare capping, transfer, usage tracking as a closed-card system. We're likely going to see card systems like Presto (Ontario), Oyster (London), Octopus (HK), Easycard (Taiwan) and many others phased out in the next few decades. They're expensive to operate and now that they've added open payment, there's no advantage to the closed card system.

Your right, this makes complete sense. I guess for me I went to university at UBC in Vancouver so I used the Compass Card so much It felt like something worth advocating for in Calgary LOL technology just advances so fast it's crazy how these are slowly getting phased out. Feels like new tech

 

[Infrastructurist]

Saw something regarding an event today about a two station extension south for the red line. Not sure if this was talked about already here’s the link.

Red Line LRT South Extension Functional Planning Study

The City is launching a functional planning study for a proposed 4 km south extension of the Red Line Light Rail Transit (LRT).

engage.calgary.ca

I think we should focus on an airport connection with the blue line before this project, however it’s good to see that the transit system is partially catching up with our urban sprawl

 

[Red Star]

Saw something regarding an event today about a two station extension south for the red line. Not sure if this was talked about already here’s the link.

Red Line LRT South Extension Functional Planning Study

The City is launching a functional planning study for a proposed 4 km south extension of the Red Line Light Rail Transit (LRT).

engage.calgary.ca

I think we should focus on an airport connection with the blue line before this project, however it’s good to see that the transit system is partially catching up with our urban sprawl

The South LRT extension should be very cheap to construct. The track is at grade and all the road overpasses are already built. The 3.5km extension is just track and two stations. Doesn't get much simpler than this.

Building the MSF and purchasing additional LRVs will cost more money.

 

[darwink]

The South LRT extension should be very cheap to construct.

The amount of surface water between 2004, 2005 and today:

at least it and the accompanying soil conditions are a known known. Structures likely will need foundation sealing and methane venting.

For people who don't want to dig:

 

[CalgaryTiger]

The amount of surface water between 2004, 2005 and today:
View attachment 707233View attachment 707234View attachment 707235

at least it and the accompanying soil conditions are a known known. Structures likely will need foundation sealing and methane venting.

For people who don't want to dig:
View attachment 707236

The Silverado Station seems so redundant... I know there are some people that would use it but at the cost of constructing a station?

 

[InfrastructureEnthusiast]

The Silverado Station seems so redundant... I know there are some people that would use it but at the cost of constructing a station?

Agreed, I think a station at the midpoint between those two, and a second south of 210 av would be better placement. Wonder what the reasoning for the current choices was?

 

[darwink]

The Silverado Station seems so redundant... I know there are some people that would use it but at the cost of constructing a station?

surface stations don't cost very much.

 

[ThujaPlicata]

The Silverado Station seems so redundant... I know there are some people that would use it but at the cost of constructing a station?

I agree - the extension that makes the most sense is down to 210 avenue station, reason why is there are plans to build a transit oriented development called Belmont station.

Currently the library and future field house are getting constructed: https://www.calgary.ca/planning/parks-rec/belmont-fieldhouse-and-library.html
There is also plans for a high school just south of the station

Belmont Station: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://images1.showcase.com/d2/vfCi7LvwELAxHl4caVhFdPOed2Zz7Wbe2XNDgw3wG8c/document.pdf

 

[Infrastructurist]

Agreed, I think a station at the midpoint between those two, and a second south of 210 av would be better placement. Wonder what the reasoning for the current choices was?

Don't quote me on this, but I saw a video posted by someone who was at the event yesterday (totally forgot who, if I could find it i'll post it here) that mentioned how they had created the 210 ave station as a catalyst for a future extension into Okotoks which would help far down the line with transit access to Alberta's cities like Lethbridge

 

[CalgaryTiger]

surface stations don't cost very much.

They don't cost nothing either and I don't think here is where you need to have four stations (Shawnessy, Somerset, Silverado, and 210th Ave) so close together. Four stations in 6KM seems like too many. Especially with a multi-use pathway running alongside the train tracks. If you'd tell me Silverado Station would service a national Soccer Centre at Spruce meadows, I could get behind that.. haha to refence others posts of mine. But I think the money would be far better spent of the midtown station between Heritage and Chinook or another station between Chinook and 39th Ave.

 

[Red Star]

The Silverado Station seems so redundant... I know there are some people that would use it but at the cost of constructing a station?

Three reasons:

1. There's already multi-family built around the future Silverado station with more planning to be built.
2. The Silverado station increases the catchment area of people able to walk to a station. It's also 1.4km away from 212ave station and 1.9km away from Somerset station.
3. As @darwink mentioned, surface stations are cheap to build.