Take the 747 Bus!

mimir · 20-06-2012, 01:51 PM

I took the 747 for the first time earlier this week, and was very impressed.

About 20 minutes from the south LRT station - less than an hour door-to-door from downtown! Super friendly driver and cheap at only $5 plus the LRT fare. No parking hassles, no taxi issues, no multiple-drop shuttle ride.

I know this is a pilot, and I really hope it keeps going. Eventually it'd be great to have enough ridership to include a transfer to/from the rest of the ETS and eventually lower the fare to the ETS standard. Of course increased frequency will hopefully come to.

So if you're headed to the airport, skip the taxi, leave the car at home and take the 747!

Komrade · 20-06-2012, 02:25 PM

I imagine this service will be one they keep. I would hope.

DTrobotnik · 20-06-2012, 02:56 PM

I've used it a bunch already. it's really the way to go when you don't want to deal with cross-town traffic. I live very close to LRT so it's perfect. you can get from DT to the airport or vice-versa in an hour. for 8 dollars. me happy.

JJMorrocco · 20-06-2012, 03:04 PM

I thought I had heard that this was permanant and no longer a pilot program?? More of a requirement to get customer service staff to the new retail outlets at YEG.

jstock · 20-06-2012, 03:18 PM

Considering that the City isn't marketing this service to people who don't take transit (not sure why), I think it is absolutely essential for word-of-mouth boosting to occur.

Adverts in LRT stations and on buses is like preaching to the choir. We need to get the non-users here.

IanO · 20-06-2012, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJMorrocco

I thought I had heard that this was permanant and no longer a pilot program?? More of a requirement to get customer service staff to the new retail outlets at YEG.

We are past the pilot, this is 'permanent'...

FlyFlyAway · 20-06-2012, 07:06 PM

^Are you saying that someone in Transportation has approved funding past 2014, or that Council would be flogged in public for denying funding once the 3-year pilot concludes? Other than the Week 1 ridership numbers, I haven't seen anything published. Are there numbers showing break-even status which I believe was 500/day target - not sure if that was just ETS's break-even or if that included covering the annual subsidy from ERAA too.

Gemini · 20-06-2012, 09:46 PM

City should send out leaflets about this service to travel agents. Maybe put the leaflets in with the business permits. Put signs at major events like football games, hockey games, Capital Ex venues. Get the word out that way.

jbubble · 20-06-2012, 10:34 PM

I prefer driving as it is in my control. Plus name is lame since we will not see 747 service for passengers

MikeK · 21-06-2012, 03:03 PM

I've already tried the Route 747 service a few times, and I like it a lot better than that Sky Shuttle service.

I'm fairly sure that this route will end up becoming on a permanent basis, especially as the city and metro area continues to grow over the years. If passenger numbers fall short, I would think they'll probably cut the fares down to $3-4 or to whatever ETS charges for the rest of its network in the future. Edmonton isn't the only city where they charge you extra fare to/from its airport - look at Translink in Vancouver, where they charge you $5 extra on the SkyTrain out of YVR (but not to).

The naming of "747" for this route is really meant to be more for a marketing thing. By the time if YEG ever gets service using aircraft larger than the Boeing 777, the last of the 747-8 and A380 might be rusting away in the desert somewhere in the US Southwest.

JJMorrocco · 21-06-2012, 03:42 PM

How about a baggage charge? Regular fares for the working Joe/Jill going from/to work but an extra $5 per bag for those that a flying away or coming home? Still much cheaper than taxi or shuttle.

jbubble · 21-06-2012, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeK

I've already tried the Route 747 service a few times, and I like it a lot better than that Sky Shuttle service.

I'm fairly sure that this route will end up becoming on a permanent basis, especially as the city and metro area continues to grow over the years. If passenger numbers fall short, I would think they'll probably cut the fares down to $3-4 or to whatever ETS charges for the rest of its network in the future. Edmonton isn't the only city where they charge you extra fare to/from its airport - look at Translink in Vancouver, where they charge you $5 extra on the SkyTrain out of YVR (but not to).

The naming of "747" for this route is really meant to be more for a marketing thing. By the time if YEG ever gets service using aircraft larger than the Boeing 777, the last of the 747-8 and A380 might be rusting away in the desert somewhere in the US Southwest.

787 would have been better as there is a very good chance we will see those.

thegongshow · 21-06-2012, 11:17 PM

It's a 3 year pilot project according to this story:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmont...s.html?cmp=rss

"The route is a three-year pilot project paid for by the city and Edmonton Airports."

I think it's a great idea but until they promote it then it's a money loser

Municipal Man of Mystery · 22-06-2012, 12:14 AM

Great service, but I just wish it would run a bit later for those late flights that don't arrive until 1:30 am sometimes.

Dialog · 22-06-2012, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbubble

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeK

I've already tried the Route 747 service a few times, and I like it a lot better than that Sky Shuttle service.

I'm fairly sure that this route will end up becoming on a permanent basis, especially as the city and metro area continues to grow over the years. If passenger numbers fall short, I would think they'll probably cut the fares down to $3-4 or to whatever ETS charges for the rest of its network in the future. Edmonton isn't the only city where they charge you extra fare to/from its airport - look at Translink in Vancouver, where they charge you $5 extra on the SkyTrain out of YVR (but not to).

The naming of "747" for this route is really meant to be more for a marketing thing. By the time if YEG ever gets service using aircraft larger than the Boeing 777, the last of the 747-8 and A380 might be rusting away in the desert somewhere in the US Southwest.

787 would have been better as there is a very good chance we will see those.

Or we could have gone with accuracy: Route 737

howie · 22-06-2012, 12:35 PM

Might as well please everyone and list all the types and scroll them across the banner, then. If all else fails, then let's just have a nice graphic of a generic plane flashing on the front of the bus.:P

Sonic Death Monkey · 22-06-2012, 01:19 PM

Yeah this arguing about the 747 name is ridiculous.
But hey...whiners gonna whine...Edmontonians gonna whine...C2Eers turn Raves into Rants.

Dialog · 22-06-2012, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonic Death Monkey

Yeah this arguing about the 747 name is ridiculous.
But hey...whiners gonna whine...Edmontonians gonna whine...C2Eers turn Raves into Rants.

But it gave you another opportunity to post something smugly dismissive, so it's ok.

jbubble · 22-06-2012, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonic Death Monkey

Yeah this arguing about the 747 name is ridiculous.
But hey...whiners gonna whine...Edmontonians gonna whine...C2Eers turn Raves into Rants.

So not sure where I whined but I gues anyone with a differing opinion from you or the C2E herd are whiners.

787 would be looking to future that is acheivable, not like 747 that dwells on a set that never will be.

In a year or two they could market it as "take 2 787s to London, and ride in comfort on both"

20-06-2012, 01:51 PM	#1
mimir First One is Always Free Join Date: Jun 2012	Take the 747 Bus! I took the 747 for the first time earlier this week, and was very impressed. About 20 minutes from the south LRT station - less than an hour door-to-door from downtown! Super friendly driver and cheap at only $5 plus the LRT fare. No parking hassles, no taxi issues, no multiple-drop shuttle ride. I know this is a pilot, and I really hope it keeps going. Eventually it'd be great to have enough ridership to include a transfer to/from the rest of the ETS and eventually lower the fare to the ETS standard. Of course increased frequency will hopefully come to. So if you're headed to the airport, skip the taxi, leave the car at home and take the 747!

20-06-2012, 02:25 PM	#2
Komrade Addicted to C2E Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Beverly	I imagine this service will be one they keep. I would hope. __________________ facebook.com/BrothersGrimMusic youtube.com/GrimEmpire

20-06-2012, 03:18 PM	#5
jstock Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Clareview	Considering that the City isn't marketing this service to people who don't take transit (not sure why), I think it is absolutely essential for word-of-mouth boosting to occur. Adverts in LRT stations and on buses is like preaching to the choir. We need to get the non-users here. __________________ ~~$2.00~~ ~~$2.25~~ ~~$2.50~~ ~~$2.75~~ ~~$2.85~~ ~~$3.00~~ $3.20 Anyone have a dime?

20-06-2012, 09:46 PM	#8
Gemini Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Edmonton	City should send out leaflets about this service to travel agents. Maybe put the leaflets in with the business permits. Put signs at major events like football games, hockey games, Capital Ex venues. Get the word out that way. __________________ If a man is standing in the middle of a forest speaking and there is no woman around to hear him, is he still wrong?

21-06-2012, 03:03 PM	#10
MikeK Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Big E	I've already tried the Route 747 service a few times, and I like it a lot better than that Sky Shuttle service. I'm fairly sure that this route will end up becoming on a permanent basis, especially as the city and metro area continues to grow over the years. If passenger numbers fall short, I would think they'll probably cut the fares down to $3-4 or to whatever ETS charges for the rest of its network in the future. Edmonton isn't the only city where they charge you extra fare to/from its airport - look at Translink in Vancouver, where they charge you $5 extra on the SkyTrain out of YVR (but not to). The naming of "747" for this route is really meant to be more for a marketing thing. By the time if YEG ever gets service using aircraft larger than the Boeing 777, the last of the 747-8 and A380 might be rusting away in the desert somewhere in the US Southwest. __________________ Is there hope for Edmonton? Yes!!! Last edited by MikeK; 21-06-2012 at 03:08 PM..

20-06-2012, 02:56 PM	#3
DTrobotnik Addicted to C2E Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: jasper east	I've used it a bunch already. it's really the way to go when you don't want to deal with cross-town traffic. I live very close to LRT so it's perfect. you can get from DT to the airport or vice-versa in an hour. for 8 dollars. me happy.

20-06-2012, 03:04 PM	#4
JJMorrocco Addicted to C2E Join Date: Apr 2008	I thought I had heard that this was permanant and no longer a pilot program?? More of a requirement to get customer service staff to the new retail outlets at YEG.

20-06-2012, 07:06 PM	#7
FlyFlyAway Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Edmonton	^Are you saying that someone in Transportation has approved funding past 2014, or that Council would be flogged in public for denying funding once the 3-year pilot concludes? Other than the Week 1 ridership numbers, I haven't seen anything published. Are there numbers showing break-even status which I believe was 500/day target - not sure if that was just ETS's break-even or if that included covering the annual subsidy from ERAA too.

20-06-2012, 10:34 PM	#9
jbubble Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jan 2012	I prefer driving as it is in my control. Plus name is lame since we will not see 747 service for passengers

21-06-2012, 03:42 PM	#11
JJMorrocco Addicted to C2E Join Date: Apr 2008	How about a baggage charge? Regular fares for the working Joe/Jill going from/to work but an extra $5 per bag for those that a flying away or coming home? Still much cheaper than taxi or shuttle.

21-06-2012, 11:17 PM	#13
thegongshow Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2007 Location: In a van down by the river	It's a 3 year pilot project according to this story: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmont...s.html?cmp=rss "The route is a three-year pilot project paid for by the city and Edmonton Airports." I think it's a great idea but until they promote it then it's a money loser __________________ It's not EIA it's YEG

22-06-2012, 12:14 AM	#14
Municipal Man of Mystery Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: May 2012 Location: Downtown	Great service, but I just wish it would run a bit later for those late flights that don't arrive until 1:30 am sometimes.

22-06-2012, 12:35 PM	#16
howie Addicted to C2E Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: edmonton	Might as well please everyone and list all the types and scroll them across the banner, then. If all else fails, then let's just have a nice graphic of a generic plane flashing on the front of the bus.:P __________________ Nisi Dominus Frustra

22-06-2012, 01:19 PM	#17
Sonic Death Monkey Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Downtown	Yeah this arguing about the 747 name is ridiculous. But hey...whiners gonna whine...Edmontonians gonna whine...C2Eers turn Raves into Rants. __________________ “You have to dream big. If we want to be a little city, we dream small. If we want to be a big city, we dream big, and this is a big idea.” - Mayor Stephen Mandel, 02/22/2012