‘TRANSIT NERDS’ REJOICE AS WEST LRT PASSES FIRST TEST
‘IT’S A BIT OF A LIFESTYLE CHANGE’ 30,000 users were expected on initial day
After a glitzy weekend premiere that turned highranking politicos giddy, the west LRT faced its first real test Monday with thousands of commuters making their inaugural journey on the new rail link.
Self-described “transit nerds” Bryndis Whitson and Scott Deederly admitted they woke up early to make the historic trek.
“It’s a new era,” Whitson said, as the first CTrain pulled into Sirocco Station at 4:30 a.m.
“We can walk 10 minutes to the train and get downtown right away.”
It takes about 12 minutes for the train to travel to the WestKerby Station near 10th Street S.W. from the 69th Street Station in the southwest.
The couple praised the new line as a speedy way to reach inner-city spots such as theatres and Stampede Park, without having to drive.
“It’s a bit of a lifestyle change,” Deederly added.
Calgary Transit officials expected 30,000 customers to ride the rails on opening day.
Spokesman Ron Collins predicted ridership will increase as commuters realize the train is “more convenient, faster and more reliable” than being backlogged in traffic on the city’s main arteries — such as Bow Trail and 17th Avenue S.W.
But there were, of course, a few snags.
Riders complained route times weren’t posted on platforms’ electronic signs, tickets were incorrectly dated and some connecting buses weren’t synced with the train. “On the first day, you’re always going to get the odd little hiccup,” Collins said.
“If that’s as bad as it gets today, then I think it’s OK,” he added.
It will take about two months to collect enough data to post the route times, he added.
The 69th Street, 45th Street and Westbrook stations were the busiest Monday morning. Eastbound cars filled to the brim during the rush-hour peak.
“It was horrible,” lamented Loraine Adams as she stepped out near City Hall. “I’m claustrophobic.”
But veteran rider Dan Watson was one of several thrilled to save 20 minutes during the morning commute, in light of the $1.4-billion project opening.
“It’s nice to get on and turn your mind off,” Watson said.
Others grumbled that changes to southwest bus routes added at least 20 minutes to their trip into the city.
Under the old system, Glenbrook resident Janice Whitley could jump on either bus No. 108 or 112 to get downtown. Now, Whitley bemoaned, she’s forced to transfer at an LRT station.
“I was not looking forward to this at all,” she said, aboard an eastbound train.
The west LRT is Calgary’s biggest infrastructure project and the first line built in 25 years. Six new stations, including the first-ever elevated and underground platforms, were built on the new eight-kilometre track. It serves more than 100,000 southwest residents.
“This is going to be a game-changer f or t he west side of the city,” said Ald. John Mar, who was among the first to board the train Monday.