Calgary CTrain | Calgary's Light Rail System

[@leehaber]

One thing Calgary did great was imposing high parking costs in the Downtown Area. This means the system has ridership despite poor land user patterns. Hopefully, in the future we will see more transit-oriented development around stations.

[@lostwizard]

Transit oriented development has been the usual practice over the past decade or longer. Area redevelopment plans do have higher density allowed along transit corridors and things like that. The problem is that it doesn't happen overnight in already built areas. Redevelopment only happens when someone wants to build something. The city can't force it. Also, while new areas do have better layouts around future transit connections, do have to wait for the main connections to be built.

[@RealisticMgmt]

they really need to get rid of all that wasteful surface level parking along the CP rail corridor through downtown and put in more mixed-use development, and re-build the old Union station in anticipation of the Airport-Banff rail project

[@lostwizard]

@@RealisticMgmt That "wasteful surface level parking" is mostly there as placeholders until someone actually wants to build something there. And that is the problem. No matter what the city does, it won't magically make building anything there occur. There needs to be an economic case for it. Which there isn't, and hasn't been for a long time. Nobody wants to build adjacent to a freight rail line when there are other lots a block or three away. Remember: the city doesn't build the buildings. Private enterprises do. And there's no point building/rebuilding a station before it's needed. Protecting a place for it, sure. Building it, no.

[@RealisticMgmt]

@@lostwizard I would argue that the city does have a role to play in helping make the case for investment. Just look at East Village, which was largely instigated by the city (through CMLC). But yes, in this economy it's gonna be tough no matter what to attract developers. Definitely, preserving the land for a future station would be a good start! The old station was a glorious piece of architecture, tearing it down was am incredibly short sighted mistake.

[@mikelowe5096]

The city of Calgary didn't actually put the price of parking up. They restricted the amount of parking stalls that developers could build in the downtown core, thus creating a shortage. Simple supply and demand drove the prices up. I'm not sure it's great to be paying more to park in Calgary than Manhattan, but I don't work downtown so it doesn't bother me.

[@Subwaylover100]

Love their new rail cars! Thanks for making great videos 🙂👍

[@RMTransit]

Thanks!

[@LaOwlett]

Awww, they have bus seats in them now. I haven't been to Cowtown in over 20 years, back when they had those nice cushioned bench seats that faced each other. It compelled you to talk to people and was really nice for traveling in groups. It no longer feels like a train inside.

[@LaOwlett]

@@tubro541 Gotta love how those of us with the smallest carbon footprint are treated. lol

[@LaOwlett]

@@tubro541 I don't like how you brought racial prejudice into this. That was the epitome of a no true scotsman fallacy. I agree the mayor is a hypocrite, but I'm not a climate doomsday-er. I don't believe there's a catastrophe looming. That being said, I agree that we should be moving towards renewable energy and energy independence, but not through government force.

[@gmbrusselsprout]

Glorious!! It feels so good to see you exploring Transit around the country again, thank you so much!

[@higgy04]

Wild 95.3 FM got lots of screen time with the on car advertisements

[@mr51406]

Always loved the CTrain, perfect example of what transit could be and should be in North America. Perfect insertion into downtown, can go on streets, could go into tunnels, and flexible enough to go way out into the suburbs. It’s a tram, it’s a train, it’s a metro! 🍁⭐️

[@uzzfra7975]

8:19 if you didn't know, there used to be a station called "Olympic Plaza" when you're coming into downtown. It was renovated and name changed to city Hall in 2010

[@uzzfra7975]

There's not much footage of it so I can only find this video about it kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6LUfKhqe8ycias you'll have to check the time stamps to find it although

[@uzzfra7975]

There was also 10th Street before the extension of the blue line! It had a really small platform although.

[@ericd403]

I love the video! I hope you checked out some of the newer northwest suburban stations like Crowfoot and Tuscany. They’re arguably the nicest stations on the system. Not going to say best designed, but definitely well built.

[@RMTransit]

We did!

[@CharlieND]

Sunalta station reminds me of the Vancouver skytrain, specifically the stations on the millenium line.

[@stfu699]

@@azgaard that’s gonna change with the green line and maybe the future ne extension of the blue line to Stoney tr they might possibly even go as far as crossiron

[@sounds0fmeows]

Doors normally open on the right🤣 it actually reminded me more of the stations on the Canada line towards the airport. more so than the millennium line. i kinda envy calgary's ground level train stations, by the time you run down three flights of crowded stairs you miss your connection bus by a minute. and if you live in Surrey at night then you have to wait a half hour for the next bus depending on where you're going. only because you have to run down three flight of stairs crowded with people🤷‍♀️ Are previous two mayors wanted to build a light rail system throughout Surrey which would've been so nice an easy on and off.. no running up and down several staircases, bumping into people. it makes going to work a hassle.

[@nottheesko]

I just moved away from Calgary in August, and it's so strange to see videos online and say "I've been there!"

[@RMTransit]

For sure!

[@jherd7909]

I want to move away too.

[@noranason6521]

Same, and I've lived here my whole life

[@justinsimaluk314]

@@noranason6521 Nah Stay

[@hsun7997]

For such a nice system, I'm really surprised you guys don't have some sort of smartcard that you can just swipe to ride.

[@A_Box]

To second that, you now can pay through the app and just jump in, no verification required. I guess they would change that in the near future but so far the only place where you have to show the QR code to board in are the buses. I really like it better than the card system in Toronto.

[@sumopanda5394]

There was supposed to be, we had 2 attempts to implement one, but there were apparently so many issues with the smartcard system that it was decided to not implement it. I wish there was though, it would probably make everything more convenient.

[@glenpower1677]

The C-Train is a great system.

[@thevultrantransituniverse1487]

Calgary trains are really nice!!

[@RMTransit]

I agree!

[@thevultrantransituniverse1487]

@@RMTransit What's your favorite transit system in Canada?

[@RMTransit]

All of them!

[@thevultrantransituniverse1487]

@@RMTransit My favorite transit system right now is the Durham Region Transit. Service levels are very reasonable, they come on at time, and all routes now run 30 minutes or better. The TTC is horrible nowadays. The TTC claims to have a 10 minute or better service yet nearly not all of them runs under that criteria. For example, 45 Kipling goes through low income neighbourhoods and it runs 26 minutes during AM rush. It's dangerous because that is when COVID can spread.

[@LiveInnerCity]

They are indeed! What do you like the most about it?

[@vc1741]

The city view and the light rail both look fantastic and charming Wish I could come there after the pandemic Thanks for the clip

[@kailidovas9562]

Yes and the trains are also great! ✅👍👍😁

[@victorianrichard8097]

calgary light rail very beautil i hope oneday i can travel to calgary

[@randomcontentgenerator2331]

Reminds me a bit of the Denver light rail

[@kevmitchify]

One thing I can say is that it's a lot quieter than the SkyTrain, but I guess it's a bit slower.

[@kailidovas9562]

I like those trains! ❤️

[@RickyLeong]

Sorry the weather was so crappy when you were here! Things are much better this weekend. Next time you are in Calgary, you should try riding farther along the West LRT: Westbrook is (currently) the only underground station in the network. Love the videos! 👍

[@joncalon7508]

Perhaps he did go out that far...we don't know, but I certainly think that if he came all the way out to Calgary that he should ride more than 10% of the system. Reece, please tell me you did more than just Sunalta, 7th Avenue and from Banff Trail to the core...Because if you didn't, you missed out on some wonderful views...From Franklin to the Zoo gives some gorgeous views of the downtown core, the trip through Westbrook and our only underground station, to Sirocco with more views...And those are just the ones off the top of my head.

[@sounds0fmeows]

crappy weather? try coming to vancouver in the fall, winter and spring... sun,-10, with 2cm of snow is far from crappy weather lol people in Calgary need to appreciate their sunshine all year round even if it is -15 with 2 cm of snow on the ground.. would rather have that over not seen the sun often from 6 to 9 months of the year... even people from the UK say that Vancouver's weather is more depressing because it rains and drizzles all day long every day, no sun at all most days. One lady said 'at least in the UK the sun pops out from broken clouds for a couple of hours every day despite it being gloomy all the time' but complained that Vancouver sees no sunshine at all during any of the fall and winter days, and you know things are pretty damn bad when people from the UK complains about our weather on the wetcoast

[@maxwell_abe2894]

@@sounds0fmeows I agree, we get good sun all year around and it's healthy for everyone, however, it's deceiving when you see the sun but it's also -30 -- -35 degrees... it's horrible. The weather here isn't too bad for people that drive... if their car starts in the morning lol. For people like me, having to walk around every day in sunny -25 degree weather makes the sun mean nothing. It actually bums me when I see the sun and think oh its a nice day outside until 10 seconds of being outside and I have icicles growing on my eyebrows and eyelashes. Just my opinion though. I do not think most people from Vancouver could survive this weather unless they are determined to.

[@sounds0fmeows]

@@maxwell_abe2894 I’m originally from metro Vancouver but have lived in Saskatchewan for a few years. People from the West Coast don’t not adapt to the prairie very well, and I agree with you on that.. I’ve known many people from the West Coast that moved back because they just can’t get used to the weather and isolation for 8 months of the year, I personally didn’t mind since I was very active outside throughout the winter but the rest of my family didn’t want to stay. for me personally i enjoyed the sunny days even in the cold winter. I could’ve stayed a few extra years-but the rest of my family didn’t. Cold half the year and than giant flesh eating mosquitoes the other half of the year..

[@leafyztar]

@@sounds0fmeows last winter it got down to -40 with 18cm snow measured at the yyc... this year is expected to be even worse lmao. Only reason it was this nice in the video is probably because it was filmed during a Chinook. When I found out we were the only ones who got those I was genuinely shocked! How do the rest of you handle it out there without breaks between the extreme cold snaps??

[@transitnetwork3049]

The downtown part of the LRT system is kinda similar to the King Street Transit Corridor

[@RMTransit]

It feels similar but it's transit exclusive

[@Orforio]

This is cool! Reminds me of Manchester's Metrolink in places...

[@leafyztar]

6:40 Why do the signs flicker like that? Ive seen the same thing happen with streetlights too. Curious I love the train so much

[@allyreneepenny9447]

Beautiful city and trains 👌💯

[@johnjohnson1204]

Fascinating

[@Gillz34]

Calgary is beautiful!

[@Nik-ny9ue]

Hi Reece (or emily im not sure who replies) Do you think Commuters in Calgary are going to have a problem with the open stations in the Harsh Alberta Winters™?

[@RMTransit]

I don't think it's a huge issue, the stations have heaters

[@SeanNicholsEh]

As a Calgarian myself: it's mostly a non-issue. As Reece mentions, the stations (almost) all have heaters, and areas that are sheltered from the wind (which frankly is a much bigger issue than the raw temperature). The biggest issues are at some of the smaller stations, which only have small areas that are sheltered, and they can fill up fast. But during the day the trains come frequently enough that it's not a huge deal waiting outside for only a minute or three (we are, after all, used to the weather here). Late at night the waits are naturally longer (tho' for obvious reasons that's less of an issue for commuters) - but there are also fewer people around, so there's almost always space in the heated shelters.

[@joncalon7508]

We're used to it. And I'll echo Sean's comments about the shelters...they're good to get out of the wind.

[@JellothePallascat]

You need to ride to Barlow/Max Bell station and get a shot of the view from there. Absolutely stunning on a clear day.

[@joncalon7508]

COMPLETELY AGREE with you there Jared...Especially in the mornings when the sun's coming up and glint's off all the towers downtown!

[@mineingnick]

hey guys I love all your video I'm a fan and I live in Ottawa I take public transportation all the time and hope to see all of their system in Canada in full. but with the construction of lrt phase 2 I can try to get as much video and pictures if you want In case of a new Ottawa video. one happy fan Nick

[@RMTransit]

Thanks Nick!

[@TD-gc5tq]

Reece do you think having opened station has an significant effect on ridership in the brutal prairie winters? Do you think upgrading to enclosed stations is worth the cost?

[@RMTransit]

They have shelters with heaters

[@SeanNicholsEh]

As a Calgarian myself: it's mostly a non-issue. As Reece mentions, the stations (almost) all have heaters, and areas that are sheltered from the wind (which frankly is a much bigger issue than the raw temperature). The biggest issues are at some of the smaller stations, which only have small areas that are sheltered, and they can fill up fast. But during the day the trains come frequently enough that it's not a huge deal waiting outside for only a minute or three (we are, after all, used to the weather here). Late at night the waits are naturally longer (tho' for obvious reasons that's less of an issue for commuters) - but there are also fewer people around, so there's almost always space in the heated shelters. As an "interesting" side point: the downtown C-Train shelters used to be more enclosed and less open. They deliberately downgraded them about 15 years ago as a hostile architecture initiative; partly to prevent homeless people from sleeping in them.

[@joncalon7508]

fully enclosed stations are much costlier things to build and maintain.

[@AmelieZh]

Calgary snowed already??

[@ericd403]

5 or 6 times so far this season, yes.

[@SeanNicholsEh]

It's late October: it would be an unusual year if it 𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘯'𝘵 snowed yet. It can vary quite a bit from year to year, but we typically get our first significant snowfall in early-to-mid October. With an alpine climate, we can get snow any month of the year, so even September snow isn't that unusual, but it generally doesn't stick until October, which is when the ground cools down enough that it doesn't melt right away.

[@imgursdownvote4love771]

It snowed on labour day lol

[@noranason6521]

Yep, it snowed quite late if I say so myself, and it hasn't snowed too much this year and has been warm (to my dismay)

[@gabrielstravels]

Amélie Zh Welcome to Canada, eh? Where, with the exception of Vancouver and its surrounding areas, you can expect snow from like October to March or April. Sometimes I've even seen photos or videos of some Canadian cities snow in May!

[@exile220ify]

No commentary?

[@RMTransit]

Not all our videos have commentary, the system ones are meant to simply show the system!

[@johnsanjuan9364]

Calgary! Banff Neighborhoods!!

[@Ranakade]

Thr trains are like a subway-streetcar hybrid. Id want to take a trip to calgary just to see that 🙌

[@carterneisz8585]

They’re super fun to ride on! I live here and go on them at least once a week.

[@Alex_Plante]

Is the C Train fully automatic or does it has drivers? I notice it is often at grade in traffic areas (Especially at intersections). I'm guessing all the traffic lights go red except for the C Train. Is it legal to have a fully automatic train (no drivers) if it is intermingled with car traffic?

[@SeanNicholsEh]

It is not automatic, no. All trains are driver-operated. The system is mostly at-grade with a few exceptions (the elevated section around Sunalta station, shown in the video, an underground section a few stations away from that, and a few under/overpasses here and there). Other than that, significant stretches run down highway medians or other rights-of-way where there are minimal at-grade road crossings, but they definitely still exist (by my count, 20 in the city centre, and I'd estimate roughly 40-50 outside). Outside downtown, the train gets signal priority everywhere (with advanced signaling changes that happen before the train arrives), so it never has to stop at an intersection. In the city centre, it stops at every red light, as if it were a "regular" road vehicle. That downtown stretch of 15-20 blocks is easily the biggest bottleneck of the system (admittedly there is also a station every 2-3 blocks, so that has as much to do with it as the lights) and I can get across downtown much much faster on my bicycle than by train. I live about 6km from downtown, right on the train line, and I have a mental cut-off of Chinook Station, which is about 7km on the far side of downtown: if I'm going farther than that, it's faster to take the train, but if I'm going that far or less, it's generally faster to bike.

[@joncalon7508]

To add to Sean's reply, the 7th Avenue corridor where the trains run downtown on the surface is transit-exclusive. Private vehicles are not allowed on the corridor. Calgary built on the cheap, so it's going to require people to operate the trains for a very very long time to come.

[@nm7891]

@@joncalon7508 why will it require people to operate?

[@joncalon7508]

@@nm7891 Fully automated systems are completely grade separated and fenced along their right of ways, with some rather expensive intrusion detection systems at stations. Calgary's C-Train system is neither grade separated or fenced along the entire right of way, and as a result requires humans to operate the train for safety reasons.

[@nm7891]

@@joncalon7508 thanks

[@epicbrendo92]

i was on the c-train that day freezing my ass off at 8th street

[@Mereo110]

Great video as always! It's a shame it's not a grade-separated system.

[@RMTransit]

It's grade separated where it counts!

[@sounds0fmeows]

and they're very lucky about that, because running up and down three flights of stairs makes you miss your bus connection most of the time, and then you have to wait for another bus🤦🏼‍♀️ it becomes a hassle having to run up and down three-story staircases just to get off the platform, Do it every day go to and from work it becomes super annoying especially if you work nights shifts you only have like three minutes to get off the platform To catch your next bus, but you have to run down a crowded three story staircase.. I envy Calgarys ground level platforms, an easy on and off.

[@yaygya]

@@sounds0fmeows Heh. In Edmonton, we have at-grade stations where you need to walk up to a concourse and then down to the platform to enter. Worst of both worlds.

[@DINESHGADA]

awesome

[@oreh350]

Nice video! How fast is it? Feels like 100/h

[@DC-ek6ib]

80km

[@jessforan7810]

I think that the transit in calgary sucks. I have been visiting for 10 years but the city can’t seem to find an efficient way to build more lines. Hopefully the new line will be more extensive

[@noranason6521]

Yeah, hopefully. I've lived here my whole life and haven't seen too much improvement except for a little in the North East.

[@juliaj7939]

By the time the Green Line gets built, it will no longer be needed because humans will have discovered teloportation.

[@marcioduartef]

what is the capacity of the trains?

[@imperialdoggo5826]

240 passengers per car, with the normal being 3 cars in series, so about 720 passengers per LRT train.

[@simonhorner6471]

Where are these old Duewag Rail cars? Are they out of service?

[@smartiboi]

Calgary decommissioned the last of their Duewag/U2s about four years ago. They were getting too expensive to maintain, especially with respect to rust prevention and repair

[@simonhorner6471]

@@smartiboi and do u know about them in Edmonton?

[@smartiboi]

@@simonhorner6471 All of Edmonton's U2s should be decommissioned by now, but I'm not sure of their actual timelines. They started decommissioning their U2s around the same time that Calgary did, but were about a year or two behind Calgary in terms of actual execution.

[@simonhorner6471]

@@smartiboi okay thx

[@naturallyherb]

@@smartiboi I visited Calgary the first time this weekend and went on the CTrain as well. Took a few tries to get a U2 but did finally get on one of them, so they are still out there, it's just a bit difficult to find them as there are so few of them now.

[@KevinT3141]

Wow, the controller noise under braking on some of those trains is horrible. Not sure I could ride that without earplugs and not go insane. Surprising for such new looking vehicles...

[@RMTransit]

It's not too bad in person

[@SeanNicholsEh]

Honestly, I don't notice it at all. I'm originally from Vancouver and found the SkyTrain noises there to be more distracting than the Calgary C-Train noises.

[@joncalon7508]

You get used to it after riding enough.

[@ppc7400]

Those trains actually have regenerative braking. That's the sound you hear.

[@noranason6521]

Oh, no it really isn't that bad if your there! Take it from me, I've lived here my whole life.

[@sungwoolee9055]

SAIT/ACAD/Jubilee is renamed SAIT/AUarts/Jubilee in December 2019.

[@Historymaker-2001]

Those poor U2s are tired. Almost a memory now.

[@19981217rl]

Very different from Edmonton. We only have a small downtownand 2 LRT line

[@noranason6521]

Wow, even if Edmonton is my province capital, I did not know that!

[@teddawg327]

I live by NEW JERSEY TRANSIT'S RIVERLINE built on on the original CAMDEN AND AMBOY later PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD right of way....dating to 1840;s at night it's an NS freight line

[@Oilerfan5]

holy snow, Edmonton hasn't gotten any that's stayed.

[@RickyLeong]

Happy to report it’s practically all gone now. 👍

[@noranason6521]

I'm happy to report it has once again snowed, but it's melting again

[@karaokebackgroundplaylists9878]

2:01 The station gets renamed

[@karaokebackgroundplaylists9878]

@@tubro541 like ZOO for example .... why the heck is that sign only say *ZOO?!* It should say Calgary ZOO!

[@joshuafajardo5697]

🚈🇨🇦

[@MultiCappie]

The second most used (i.e., second most successful) LRT system in Alberta per km of track.

[@th3oryO]

As someone who has lived in Edmonton and Calgary, the ctrain is far more useful. When Edmonton can get off their ass and build the east/west leg then maybe it could be argued that it's better. It's still decades behind.

[@MultiCappie]

@@th3oryO Edmonton's is more used per kilometer is the claim, and this isn't a matter of opinion. But you're right, Calagry's is more extensive (due to provincial politics, not Edmonton's "ass") but in September of this year, the Valley Line to Millwoods should open, and as of 2022, there will be active construction on the Valley Line to WEM, the Capital Line to Heritage Valley (along with the Southside LRV garage), and the Metro Line to Blatchford, *_simultaneously._* Hopefully it becomes an actual "citywide system" by 2025ish. Already better used though, which is quite the accomplishment.

[@BKIslandersfan]

I never understood why they didnt bury the downtown portion. Looks terrible.

[@kitkatxk2814]

I can't seem to find an actual map of where these go. It seems like they don't go to very many places if there is only a Y shape like the maps I found. Honestly does anyone have any updated maps from this year or last year?

[@jmstransit]

"Nice" reacc for 69 street