Five-minute train frequency to be restored Aug. 30
Five-minute train frequency will be restored on Edmonton's Capital Line LRT this month after seven years of slower service for the northeast portion of the line, due to a faulty signalling system.
Capital Line trains once again will run every five minutes during peak hours from Churchill to Clareview Stations, starting Aug. 30. The increased service will operate weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Edmonton Transit Service spokeswoman Olena Babiy said in a Thursday news release.
It's one of a slew of changes to the transit system in the coming months.
This change in frequency was made possible as a result of the alternate signalling system installed on the Metro Line earlier this year, seven years later than initially intended. Without the fully-functioning signal technology, trains weren't able to run at full speeds, and frequency on both lines was reduced. Capital Line trains were previously running every 10 minutes on this part of the line.
Metro Line LRT trains will run only between NAIT and Health Sciences/jubilee Stations now, as originally planned. Passengers boarding a Capital Line train further south will need to transfer.
“To support a vibrant and safe city, ETS is introducing a number of service and safety changes and improvements to welcome riders back to transit,” Babiy said in the release. “ETS is committed to delivering a service that connects Edmontonians to people and places through safe, reliable and convenient transit service.”
BIKE BAN ENDING
Riders accessing the faster train service will also be able to bring their bikes onto the system during rush hour, which had previously been banned on the LRT network to allow for more room for passengers, the city said in its release. Also on Aug. 30, bikes will be allowed on trains from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. as well as from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays. There remain no restrictions on weekends or holidays.
For those not needing to travel with their additional source of transport, bike lockers will be available at Century Park and Belvedere Stations as part of a pilot project. Six free metal storage lockers at each station will be accessible on a first-come, first-served basis and cyclists will be required to supply their own padlock.
New refillable water stations are also coming to all major transit centres and LRT stations by the end of September.
BUS NETWORK CHANGES
More modifications are coming to Edmonton's new bus network later this month after it launched in April to many concerns from riders about increased travel times, the city also announced Thursday. On Aug. 29, 17 routes will be adjusted to help shorten layovers and improve connections. This is in addition to more than 40 service changes made in June.
Several of these routes will be adding weekend service and some others will be extended to improve coverage to certain areas. A full list of changes, as well as seasonal adjustments as a result of school returning in the fall, can be found on the city's website.
In September, the city also will launch a collaborative security program that will see transit peace officers team up with outreach workers to support vulnerable residents on the transit system and connect them with social supports.