Calgary’s C-Train is carrying over 250,000 passengers a day!
The following should give some food for thought. “In the past 25 years, The City of Calgary has invested approximately $1 billion (Canadian dollars) in developing a three leg, radial LRT system that is closely integrated with an extensive bus network.” While in Vancouver over $6 billion ($8.5 billion if RAV/Canada LineAi??Ai??is included) has been invested in a two line SkyTrain light-metro system that carries a bit less weekday ridership. The Vancouver Metro area has spent six to eight and half times more on light-metro,Ai??Ai??to carry fewer customers and if LRT had been built as originally planned, we could have had at least six times more LRT routes! More LRT, going more places would certainly have been the formula to attract the motorist from the car. Not so with SkyTrain, where 80% of riders first take a bus and are forced to transfer to light-metro.
If LRT had been built in the region, there would be no debate for the reinstatement of the valley interurban – it would be in operation now!
From the Calgary Economic Development:
Calgary Transit operates one of the most successful transit systems in North America. Transit ridership continues to flourish. Ridership on the C-Train system (Light Rail Transit system) is over 250,000 every weekday – the highest of any LRT system on the continent.
The Calgary Transit fleet is made up of regular buses, low floor buses, community shuttle buses, and light rail vehicles.
Bus service consists of a network of radial routes serving the downtown, feeder routes and cross-town bus routes. The bus system encompasses 150 routes covering more than 4,500 route km. The bus fleet is comprised of 798 buses, which includes 300 high floor buses, 404 accessible low-floor buses and 94 community shuttle vehicles.
In the past 25 years, The City of Calgary has invested approximately $1 billion (Canadian dollars) in developing a three leg, radial LRT system that is closely integrated with an extensive bus network.
As a result of Calgary’s population and subsequent ridership increase, existing LRT and bus services are operating near capacity during peak travel periods and The City of Calgary is embarking on a ten year, $1 billion dollar capital investment program to extend existing LRT lines and expand its LRT and bus fleet
