April 11 Day of Action UPDATE

LIGHT RAIL FANS TO HIT THE HIGHWAY Banner-making workshops Abbotsford Where: gather at UFV – Abbotsford campus, east lobby of building A, by the Roadrunner Cafe (bottom floor). If you get lost, contact Paul Gieselman at 604-703-3650. When: Tuesday April 7, 7:00 pm Vancouver workshop/party Where: 1825 Charles St (@ Salsbury) When: Thursday April 9, […]

Karlsruhe’s TramTrain’s – Why is TransLink so afraid!

A map of Karlsruhe’s regional tram (tramtrain) network Since 1993, Karlsruhe’s award winning two system (now called tramtrain) LRT system has been operating safely, track-sharing with mainline railways. Karlsruhe’s tramtrain concept is now used on no fewer than ten light-rail systems in Europe and North America and presently being planned for numerousAi??Ai??transit systems world wide. […]

Nordhausen – TramTrains for small towns

Nordhausen is a German cityAi??Ai??at the southern edge of the Harz Ai??Ai??mountains, in the state of Thuringia.Ai??Ai?? Nordhausen’s population is a very modest 44,272 andAi??Ai??with a population density of 421 /kmAi??A?, one would think that the town is just too small for light-rail butAi??Ai??has a metric gauge tramway networkAi??Ai??with 2 lines (7 km long, built […]

Lawned rights-of-ways = non-user friendly & green transit

In stark contrast to SkyTrain’s and RAV/Canada Line’s (in Richmond) ugly elevated concrete viaducts, Europe is greening their tram-lines. European transit authorities are lawning their tram routes, creating a park like atmosphere, which is further enhanced by trees, shrubbery and statuary. Tram lines, either ballast and tie on the ground or elevated on a viaduct […]

In today’s Tyee – Hats off to Prof. Condon and UBC, they are now planning for the 21st Century!

In today’s Tyee is a very interesting item about LRT, Gateway and how monies invested (some say squandered) in the Gateway – Port Mann Bridge expansion could provide over 200 km. of LRT for Surrey, Whiterock, Langley, Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and New Westminster! Now add in the 90 km. Vancouver to Chilliwack Interurban […]

Calgary’s C-Train Development & Operating Costs

C-Train’s Development and Operating Costs Total system development costs to date: $548 M Ai??Ai?? Original cost of vehicle acquisition/unit: $1.2 M Ai??Ai?? Current vehicle replacement cost: $3.9 M Ai??Ai?? Total costs of track construction per meter: above ground $30,000 below ground $35,000 at grade $15,000 Ai??Ai?? Average costs per station: $2.1 M Ai??Ai?? Cost of […]

World transit system list as of 2006 – from the LRTA

The following is the number or various type of transit systems around the world including those under construction, excluding airport shuttles, commuter/mainline rail, entertainment parks and funiculars. Classification always brings areas of doubt, particularly in countries such as Japan and Switzerland where clear dividing lines just do not exist. Metro (including SkyTrain) – 146 Light […]

Trondheim – A template for light-rail in the valley? It’s a cert!

Population (2009) Ai??Ai??-Ai??Ai??Total 168,257 Ai??Ai??-Ai??Ai??Density 480/km2Ai??Ai??(1,243.2/sqAi??Ai??mi) Trondheim, Norway boasts the northernmost tramway line in the world: the GrA?A?kallbanen, the last remaining bit of the Trondheim Tramway is an 8.8 km (5.5 mi) route (which is mostly single-track outside the inner most parts of the city; except the stretch between Breidablikk and Nordre Hoem stations) which […]

Trams in the countryside – where’s all the density that’s supposed to be needed for light-rail?

The following video is ofAi??Ai??the famous Stubaitalbahn Innsbruck-Fulpmes Tram, which starts in downtown Innsbruck and terminates in the mountains, servicing the small town of Fulpmes. Standard trams are used through out the journey, providing a seamless or no-transfer journey for the customer. The Stubaitalbahn Innsbruck-Fulpmes Tram is just further proof that light-rail can successfully operate […]

Seeing is believing – Diesel LRT in the USA.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixMw5M9tt80] The following is the New Jersey Camden “River Line, operating Diesel light rail.