‘It’s amazing the places you can get to’
The reviews were mostly positive as commuters gave their thoughts of the Confederation Line on Sunday, although many noted rush hour tomorrow will be the real test.
MICHAEL POWELL
Michael Powell said the train was a convenient and fast mode of transit. He rode from Bayview Station to Rideau Station
“It’s nice that it’s open, it’s amazing the places you can get to,” he said.
However, said he believes the price will have to go down if the city hopes to limit car users.
“It’s still kind of expensive, and I think one of the challenges is that for me anyway, it replaces trips that are already pretty short,” he said, noting two $3.50 rides for him and his wife isn’t much cheaper than parking at the Rideau Centre. “So I’d like to see that be a little more competitive in the future ...”
GEORGE LEVINE.
George Levine, a senior who doesn’t own a vehicle and plans to use LRT every day, had nothing but positive things to say about his ride.
“I loved it . ... There’s lots of standing room, it’s a very gentle ride, not like standing up on a bus for half an hour ... I think it will be very popular,” he said.
COUN. JEFF LEIPER
Coun. Jeff Leiper agreed it is a big improvement from buses and makes commuting with a bike easy.
“It is fast, it is comfortable and it is very different from taking a bus,” said Leiper, who was at Rideau Station.
MARGARET GOUIN
“I’ve travelled a lot on subways in Europe and mind the gap,” said Gouin, who took the train to Rideau Station. “So for someone like myself who has to be careful about mobility issues — having made very easy for stepping from the train to the platform — that’s a big plus.”
ROBERT DUPUIS
Robert Dupuis commented on the number of escalators required to go from the platform to the Rideau Street exit.
“You spend more time going down and up than you do on the train,” he said at Rideau Station.
CHANTAL TERRIEN
Chantal Terrien, who will be using LRT for her daily commute from Orleans to her job downtown, rode the entire line from Blair Station to Tunney’s Pasture. She said she enjoyed the ride but expects a lack of seats could be an issue during rush hour.
“I can see in rush hour traffic people will likely be looking for seats, so it may have been nicer to have more seating,” she said. “We’ll see how it goes.”