Capital Line LRT

[Kosy123]

Ah, teachers strike. I guess that’d mess stuff up a bit.

October will probably have a much bigger impact than this one (it's still September numbers)

What's interesting is while bus ridership has gone down, it seems that LRT ridership has either stayed consistent or gone higher over the last few months.

 

[thommyjo]

October will probably have a much bigger impact than this one (it's still September numbers)

What's interesting is while bus ridership has gone down, it seems that LRT ridership has either stayed consistent or gone higher over the last few months.

Likely reflects that most LRT users aren’t students, whereas a lot of jr high and high schoolers use school specials and regular ETS. I’d imagine in the tens of thousands daily.

 

[ntt1]

Apparently, a youth on a bike was struck around one of the intersections with a construction detour at 12 Ave and 111 St a few days ago, near Twin Brooks.

This shouldn't be too surprising to anyone who's had to use any of them and tried to navigate on a bike, as they are narrow and close to traffic with bad visibility in some areas and no separation at all from vehicle traffic at corners. During the winter months, there will definitely be sprayover from the road and drainage issues. Frustrating.

Same for the 23 Ave intersection, you are put literally within inches of a turning bus with no separation at the NW and NE corners. As much as I hate slip lanes, at least the SE corner where you turn right onto 23 Ave from 111 St northbound is adequately separated to allow for turning vehicles to look for pedestrians/cyclists.

 

[ntt1]

 

[The_Cat]

Construction Notice – Southbound Lane Closure on 111 Street near 23 Avenue

 

[ntt1]

Construction Notice – Southbound Lane Closure on 111 Street near 23 Avenue

They really, really ought to restrict left turns out of the YMCA and FreshCo parking lots along this stretch. Almost always it leads to someone totally blocking the shared use path, and with how busy the road is, it takes a looong time to make a left turn outside of late night or early morning hours. Then you get people taking risks that they shouldn't.

 

[The_Cat]

View attachment 696942

At least the pilings are in before winter.

 

[EdwardEdm]

From the Fall 2025 Operating Budget Update:
"A fare revenue gap is occuring due to changing industry and economic conditions in Edmonton.
Transit ridership has recovered to pre-pandemic levels for conventional bus service; however,
ridership gains are still needed for paratransit and LRT service in order to achieve full ridership
recovery."

I had suspected that Capital/ Metro Line LRT ridership hadn't recovered. It only appeared LRT was doing fine with the Valley Line lumped in. This seems to confirm that.

 

[CplKlinger]

From the Fall 2025 Operating Budget Update:
"A fare revenue gap is occuring due to changing industry and economic conditions in Edmonton.
Transit ridership has recovered to pre-pandemic levels for conventional bus service; however,
ridership gains are still needed for paratransit and LRT service in order to achieve full ridership
recovery."

I had suspected that Capital/ Metro Line LRT ridership hadn't recovered. It only appeared LRT was doing fine with the Valley Line lumped in. This seems to confirm that.

Here's the corresponding update:

Administration is projecting a $3.6 million positive variance for 2025 as a result of positive YTD fare revenue performance. This positive variance is expected to continue, and as a result, the expected ongoing amount has been lowered from $13 million unfavorable to $9.4 million unfavourable. This $9.4 million unfavourable variance is the starting point for 2026 and is expected to continue to improve throughout the year. This can directly be linked to implementation of this action plan, including:

• Implementation of an additional 50,000 service hours in April 2025, when combined with more rider outreach, contributes to increases in ridership and fare revenue.
• More options for faring are being introduced in 2025 to make more convenient options for riders, including Open Payment and two multi-day Arcpass options. The multi-day Arc pass was implemented in February 2025, to attract hybrid workers and visitors.
• Enhanced safety measures, including joint deployment teams, are in place across the network for fall and winter.
• ETS has increased rider outreach and education to grow ridership and fare revenue, including more community partnerships at festivals and events.
• TPOs have increased random fare inspections to ensure compliance. Through growth in TPO positions over the next year, more randomized fare inspections will take place.
• Audio and visual reminders within the LRT system encourage fare payment, including the use of Arc cards.

The structural budget variance was managed on a multi-year one-time basis with funding from the LRT reserve of $13.0 million a year for 2025 and 2026.The structural budget variance will need to be addressed on an ongoing basis in the 2027-2030 operating budget.

 

[Kosy123]

We're probably going to keep seeing increased LRT ridership recovery no matter what. I've experienced a bit more random fare inspections than usual too so can confirm that.

It's finally good to see transit revenue forecasts that are more positive than negative for once.

 

[thommyjo]

Another hidden cost of sprawl and a lack of downtown offices/companies. Underutilized transit.

Do we know what “utilization” is for the LRT in terms of ridership vs capacity?

 

[The_Cat]

Edmonton has multi-modal employment hubs, but many industrial/commercial hubs largely accessible by car.

 

[BrettB]

I was reading in the Herald today that Calgary buses are back to pre-pandemic ridership, but LRT is at 86% what it was. We are not unique.

 

[MacLac]

What's a "Blue Line?"

 

[The_Cat]

Something that Tampa Bay wasn't called for last night!