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This memo (page 15 of this document) was sent from the LRT planning team in the 1970s, to the team planning Churchill Square. It is one of the LRT-related items that I scanned in the ERRS Archive (you can view more of the collection here). Fifty years later, and the situation seems to be about the same. I hate transferring between the LRT and the 7 because of the long wait in the cold on 102A Ave. I'm not sure what a good solution would be though. Perhaps all the bus stops around Churchill Square could be relocated to the CN Tower loop, where the new pedway connection is being constructed? But that would still leave a lot of folks waiting for their buses in the cold unless they build a proper heated shelter there, and I'm not sure how badly this location would mess with the schedules and routing for some routes.
Memo.png
 
Great news on cell service in the LRT tunnel!

"In the 2023 Fall Supplemental Capital Budget Adjustment, Council approved $4.7 million to expand access to emergency communication services by leveraging the Alberta First Responder Radio Communications System (AFRRCS), which would support public access for emergency calls. [...] The outreach to external stakeholders resulted in a proposal from Telus that goes beyond the scope of what the City could have achieved with an improved AFRRCS system. Telus’ proposal is to offer a complete 5G and 5G+ cellular network that will be open for use by all telecommunication service providers in LRT tunnels and all seven underground stations. Telus’ proposal has full implementation targeted by March 31, 2026.
[...]
Under the proposed agreement, Telus will provide system design, installation and maintenance of the cellular network, with integration for other carriers, for up to 30 years. This network would also be available to the City to securely leverage to increase operational efficiency and safety measures. In exchange, the City would provide funding that has already been budgeted for this connectivity objective (details in private Attachment 1) and the required infrastructure to support network deployment including: space; power infrastructure; HVAC and the fibre optic network. In addition, a partner benefits agreement is still being negotiated which will include promotional opportunities for Telus."
 
CplKlinger said:
View attachment 624199
Click to expand...

The growth from 2023 is great to see.

The change from 2019 isn't so great - given that our population has had a 20%+ increase versus 12.5% growth in transit ridership.

Citynerd just released a video (below) showing vehicle traffic is the worst ever (US) - most notably NYC (who this week introduced $9 congestion pricing in a large part of Manhatten).
Among his findings to explain why congestion is up and transit ridership down:

A higher proportion of people who now work from home were previously transit users vs. vehicle commuters. So WFH has impacted transit use more negatively than vehicle traffic counts.

People who work from home are averaging extra vehicle trips weekly that they didn't previously take when commuting to work - and those new trips are mostly car trips

There are still effects of COVID 19 and other viruses impacting people's decision not to take public transit (crime and safety wasn't noted but has to be a factor, too)

People using e-commerce (Amazon) deliveries and ride apps like Uber or food delivery services are up, negatively impacting traffic.

For people who drive downtown or do a lot of driving around our city, are you noticing traffic congestion better, worse or the same from previous years?
If worse, is it moreso to do with construction? And/or there are just more cars on the road?

 
TAS said:
The growth from 2023 is great to see.

The change from 2019 isn't so great - given that our population has had a 20%+ increase versus 12.5% growth in transit ridership.

Citynerd just released a video (below) showing vehicle traffic is the worst ever (US) - most notably NYC (who this week introduced $9 congestion pricing in a large part of Manhatten).
Among his findings to explain why congestion is up and transit ridership down:

A higher proportion of people who now work from home were previously transit users vs. vehicle commuters. So WFH has impacted transit use more negatively than vehicle traffic counts.

People who work from home are averaging extra vehicle trips weekly that they didn't previously take when commuting to work - and those new trips are mostly car trips

There are still effects of COVID 19 and other viruses impacting people's decision not to take public transit (crime and safety wasn't noted but has to be a factor, too)

People using e-commerce (Amazon) deliveries and ride apps like Uber or food delivery services are up, negatively impacting traffic.

For people who drive downtown or do a lot of driving around our city, are you noticing traffic congestion better, worse or the same from previous years?
If worse, is it moreso to do with construction? And/or there are just more cars on the road?

Click to expand...
The on/off ramps of the henday into new suburbs are getting pretty bad. Another reason I’ll never live outside the henday and find it difficult to have friends move there (then complain about traffic and taxes themselves 🙃). Downtown is still the easiest DT to drive in the country for any large city. Virtually 0 traffic ever vs comparables.
 
TAS said:
The growth from 2023 is great to see.

The change from 2019 isn't so great - given that our population has had a 20%+ increase versus 12.5% growth in transit ridership.

Citynerd just released a video (below) showing vehicle traffic is the worst ever (US) - most notably NYC (who this week introduced $9 congestion pricing in a large part of Manhatten).
Among his findings to explain why congestion is up and transit ridership down:

A higher proportion of people who now work from home were previously transit users vs. vehicle commuters. So WFH has impacted transit use more negatively than vehicle traffic counts.

People who work from home are averaging extra vehicle trips weekly that they didn't previously take when commuting to work - and those new trips are mostly car trips

There are still effects of COVID 19 and other viruses impacting people's decision not to take public transit (crime and safety wasn't noted but has to be a factor, too)

People using e-commerce (Amazon) deliveries and ride apps like Uber or food delivery services are up, negatively impacting traffic.

For people who drive downtown or do a lot of driving around our city, are you noticing traffic congestion better, worse or the same from previous years?
If worse, is it moreso to do with construction? And/or there are just more cars on the road?

Click to expand...
My experience is that vehicle traffic congestion in the outskirts like the Henday and Calgary Trail are worse. Vehicle traffic in the core has gotten worse but not to the same level, and I'm guessing that just has to do with the abundance of public transit options in the core compared to the suburbs.

Driving over the bridges on the North Sask along with trying to get across the Whitemud (from a south side perspective) during peak hours is becoming more of a time sink that public transit, especially the LRT, is becoming a viable less stress alternative than cars.
 
I wonder if there should be an Anthony Henday peak hour express bus service between the southeast and the west end? It'll never be time competitive with the private automobile but surely there are enough people who both live and work/study along the Henday who will want to use that bus service.
 
Kosy123 said:
My experience is that vehicle traffic congestion in the outskirts like the Henday and Calgary Trail are worse. Vehicle traffic in the core has gotten worse but not to the same level, and I'm guessing that just has to do with the abundance of public transit options in the core compared to the suburbs.

Driving over the bridges on the North Sask along with trying to get across the Whitemud (from a south side perspective) during peak hours is becoming more of a time sink that public transit, especially the LRT, is becoming a viable less stress alternative than cars.
Click to expand...

I listened to a podcast that noted the SkyTrain in Vancouver. It would take an 18-lane vehicle roadway going along the same transit route to move the same number of people as the train does, and at that, the vehicle traffic would be considerably slower. 18 lanes of traffic ompared to a two lane train system.

And even with all that potential car traffic alleviated with just the train, Vancouver still has some pretty bad congestion.

I never understand the criticism for spending on viable alternatives to driving - it benefits drivers when less people opt not to drive if they don't have to.
 
Having driven in Vancouver last summer, the street traffic is crazy, especially during rush hour. The SkyTrain crosses a lot of busy streets, the Fraser River, and the Trans-Canada Highway.
 
dkazzed said:
I wonder if there should be an Anthony Henday peak hour express bus service between the southeast and the west end? It'll never be time competitive with the private automobile but surely there are enough people who both live and work/study along the Henday who will want to use that bus service.
Click to expand...
Interesting. Just off the top of your head where would you have it stop at either end and along the way?
 
I don't know about Anthony Henday bus service, but I think something like Clareview-Eaux Claires-Maki-Lewis Farms (whether it's on AHD North/NW or Arterial Roads like 153 Avenue) might be practical.

Something like Mill Woods LRT-Century Park LRT (along 23 Avenue) to Leger Transit Centre may also work..
 
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PSA - ETS fare adjustments take effect February 1

Email from City of Edmonton   ETS fare adjustments take effect February 1 January 15, 2025 On February 1, transit fare adjustments take effect for most fare groups. As the city grows, fare adjustments
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