Who misses the free downtown LRT?

Sonic Death Monkey · 30-11-2006, 10:09 PM

One informal discussion that came up before the meeting was the demise of the free downtown LRT service during the daytime.

While removing the free service has saved some money and has simplified the "Transit Fare zone" aspect, it is a greatly missed service for those who work in the government office district and want to get to the core for dining and shopping. It was argued back then that the numbers didn't warrant it. But what about now, with more businesses and workers in downtown (e.g. Capital Health)?

Perhaps one compromise is to reinstate the free service between 11:30 and 1:30, as opposed to the 9 AM - 3 PM timeframe from before.

Otherwise then let's see some more development on Jasper Ave between 106 - 109 St. I mean, one can only lunch at Timmy Ho's and Burger King so many times.

IanO · 01-12-2006, 09:39 AM

HERE HERE

RichardS · 01-12-2006, 09:45 AM

I know for me being disabled that the free LRT would be nice to go to other spots DT during the lunch hour. Crutches and snow are not a fun combination.

grish · 01-12-2006, 10:23 AM

In would be ok with that as a temp solution until the downtown trolley or street car or a heritage bus is introduced. That service should be free downtown in day-time as a hop-on-hop-off type of operation.

Medwards · 01-12-2006, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonic Death Monkey

Otherwise then let's see some more development on Jasper Ave between 106 - 109 St. I mean, one can only lunch at Timmy Ho's and Burger King so many times.

Not to take away from your point, but there is a lot more restaurants and food services in this area that you are leading to.
Seeing as I used to work in the IBM building, theres a fantasic bistro on the main floor there, there Burger Baron on jasper ave, theres Doans, and a few other places by Burger King.
Theres also Martinis on 109st (which has an excellent quick lunchs) and the place across the street from it
I'm sure I'm missing a few.

But I still agree, the more the better.

DebraW · 01-12-2006, 12:12 PM

Yup!

This service was wonderful and I used to utilize it all the time in the winter to do the Government to Scotia Place or Churchill loop.

Something else that came up last night was a display in the stations indicating ETA wait for the next LRT.

MikeK · 01-12-2006, 12:40 PM

I found the free LRT handy especially handy when it was -30°C.

DTrobotnik · 08-01-2011, 04:59 PM

out of curiosity, when did the fare free zone actually die off? can't find any info on that

The_Cat · 08-01-2011, 05:30 PM

I think the free downtown might work again as the SE and West LRT is built. They could have free LRT along MacEwan-Churchill-Central-Bay/ES-Corona-Grandin/CG, and along the Downtown Connector line from Quarters to Grant MacEwan, and south to Government Centre.

Again, the time restrictions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. could work.

Titanium48 · 10-01-2011, 11:16 AM

With plans for a surface LRT through downtown, a free zone is probably a good idea. I don't get the 9:00 - 3:00 thing though, why not make it full time?

Hull534 · 10-01-2011, 11:58 AM

When I worked downtown, I agree that it was useful to have the free LRT . I then switched to a monthly transit pass and it became a moot point. I suspect with the increase of LRT ridership over time and the introduction of the tax credit it has reduced the need somewhat also.
I know that ETS was concerned that having a free zone led to abuse and enforcement issues etc. I think that if ETS is moving to smart loadable cards, there should and be an option of having a "Downtown only pass" that could be had for a real nominal fee , say $5.00 A MONTH. The advantage being that every rider requires a ticket . You could then remove the restrictions on hours etc. A good perk also for downtown living . . It possibly could be given as a benefit to go along with a monthly parking pass to encourage use of our downtown.

murphys · 10-01-2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonic Death Monkey

One informal discussion that came up before the meeting was the demise of the free downtown LRT service during the daytime.

While removing the free service has saved some money and has simplified the "Transit Fare zone" aspect, it is a greatly missed service for those who work in the government office district and want to get to the core for dining and shopping. It was argued back then that the numbers didn't warrant it. But what about now, with more businesses and workers in downtown (e.g. Capital Health)?

Perhaps one compromise is to reinstate the free service between 11:30 and 1:30, as opposed to the 9 AM - 3 PM timeframe from before.

Otherwise then let's see some more development on Jasper Ave between 106 - 109 St. I mean, one can only lunch at Timmy Ho's and Burger King so many times.

I work in government office district and used the free service alot before it was stopped, especially in the winter. Bringing it back would be great.

edmonton daily photo · 10-01-2011, 12:14 PM

I can't think of one major center that has a free zone... I think this was a thing of the past and will remain there.

DTrobotnik · 10-01-2011, 12:49 PM

i don't mind paying downtown when i think about the extra revenue it could generate once more lines are built. small price to pay when considering the expenses that a new arena or new lrt infrastructure or developing areas like the quarters will require. it might not be much but every little bit helps if it means improving the city

Titanium48 · 10-01-2011, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edmonton daily photo

I can't think of one major center that has a free zone... I think this was a thing of the past and will remain there.

Has Calgary abolished theirs?

edmonton daily photo · 10-01-2011, 01:12 PM

^ better question... is Calgary a major center..

NYC, Chicago, Toronto, Paris, San Fran don't have free zones... If Calgary does still have theirs it's not the norm.

moahunter · 10-01-2011, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titanium48

Has Calgary abolished theirs?

Calgary still has, although its quite short (doesn't take in the zoo for example).

30-11-2006, 10:09 PM	#1
Sonic Death Monkey Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Downtown	Who misses the free downtown LRT? One informal discussion that came up before the meeting was the demise of the free downtown LRT service during the daytime. While removing the free service has saved some money and has simplified the "Transit Fare zone" aspect, it is a greatly missed service for those who work in the government office district and want to get to the core for dining and shopping. It was argued back then that the numbers didn't warrant it. But what about now, with more businesses and workers in downtown (e.g. Capital Health)? Perhaps one compromise is to reinstate the free service between 11:30 and 1:30, as opposed to the 9 AM - 3 PM timeframe from before. Otherwise then let's see some more development on Jasper Ave between 106 - 109 St. I mean, one can only lunch at Timmy Ho's and Burger King so many times.

01-12-2006, 09:39 AM	#2
IanO Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	HERE HERE __________________ inspiration or mediocrity www.decl.org Ottawa-Edmonton-Vancouver-Edmonton

01-12-2006, 09:45 AM	#3
RichardS C2E Junkie * Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edmonton	I know for me being disabled that the free LRT would be nice to go to other spots DT during the lunch hour. Crutches and snow are not a fun combination. __________________ Everywhere I go, I've been slandered, Libeled, I've heard words I've never heard in the Bible - and I am so tired. Simon and Garfunkel "Keep the customer satisfied" Yup, that about sums it up.

08-01-2011, 05:30 PM	#9
The_Cat Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sherwood Park, AB	I think the free downtown might work again as the SE and West LRT is built. They could have free LRT along MacEwan-Churchill-Central-Bay/ES-Corona-Grandin/CG, and along the Downtown Connector line from Quarters to Grant MacEwan, and south to Government Centre. Again, the time restrictions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. could work. __________________ "Talk minus action equals zero." - Joe Keithley, D. O. A.

10-01-2011, 12:14 PM	#13
edmonton daily photo Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2008	I can't think of one major center that has a free zone... I think this was a thing of the past and will remain there. __________________ "Do you give people who already use transit a better service, or do you build it where they don't use it in the hopes they might start to use it?" Nenshi

01-12-2006, 10:23 AM	#4
grish Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	In would be ok with that as a temp solution until the downtown trolley or street car or a heritage bus is introduced. That service should be free downtown in day-time as a hop-on-hop-off type of operation.

01-12-2006, 12:12 PM	#6
DebraW Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	Yup! This service was wonderful and I used to utilize it all the time in the winter to do the Government to Scotia Place or Churchill loop. Something else that came up last night was a display in the stations indicating ETA wait for the next LRT.

01-12-2006, 12:40 PM	#7
MikeK Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Big E	I found the free LRT handy especially handy when it was -30°C.

08-01-2011, 04:59 PM	#8
DTrobotnik Addicted to C2E Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: jasper east	out of curiosity, when did the fare free zone actually die off? can't find any info on that

10-01-2011, 11:16 AM	#10
Titanium48 Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Edmonton (Norwood)	With plans for a surface LRT through downtown, a free zone is probably a good idea. I don't get the 9:00 - 3:00 thing though, why not make it full time?

10-01-2011, 11:58 AM	#11
Hull534 Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Edmonton	When I worked downtown, I agree that it was useful to have the free LRT . I then switched to a monthly transit pass and it became a moot point. I suspect with the increase of LRT ridership over time and the introduction of the tax credit it has reduced the need somewhat also. I know that ETS was concerned that having a free zone led to abuse and enforcement issues etc. I think that if ETS is moving to smart loadable cards, there should and be an option of having a "Downtown only pass" that could be had for a real nominal fee , say $5.00 A MONTH. The advantage being that every rider requires a ticket . You could then remove the restrictions on hours etc. A good perk also for downtown living . . It possibly could be given as a benefit to go along with a monthly parking pass to encourage use of our downtown.

10-01-2011, 12:49 PM	#14
DTrobotnik Addicted to C2E Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: jasper east	i don't mind paying downtown when i think about the extra revenue it could generate once more lines are built. small price to pay when considering the expenses that a new arena or new lrt infrastructure or developing areas like the quarters will require. it might not be much but every little bit helps if it means improving the city

10-01-2011, 01:12 PM	#16
edmonton daily photo Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2008	^ better question... is Calgary a major center.. NYC, Chicago, Toronto, Paris, San Fran don't have free zones... If Calgary does still have theirs it's not the norm. __________________ "Do you give people who already use transit a better service, or do you build it where they don't use it in the hopes they might start to use it?" Nenshi Last edited by edmonton daily photo; 10-01-2011 at 02:42 PM..