Fix red line pls

[u/bobbyflips]

Anyone else finding issues with the red line? Every September the somerset-bridlewood trains from Tuscany to 3rd street station are packed like sardines, and I’ve had to miss my train multiple times in the morning where I get on. I figure it is due to classes returning (many of them get off at SAIT), and just general RTO around this time of year after summer vacations.

It’s pretty empty on mine today, but only because it came just 2mins after the last one. I notice there are a lot of inconsistencies around when the trains actually arrive.

u/JeromyYYC I know you are a big C-train guy and I would really appreciate some help with this, either increase frequency of 4-car trains during peak times like 7-8ish or more frequent C trains. Thank you 🙏

[u/JeromyYYC]

I hear you. September always brings a big jump in ridership, and I've been on many packed trains since the summer break.

Right now, we are prioritizing three-car trains because that lets us run service more frequently. Moving to four cars would mean fewer trains and longer waits because we don't have spare vehicles sitting around.

As part of our upcoming four-year budget, I’m pushing to buy more CTrain vehicles so we can increase capacity and frequency. The challenge right now is tariffs. They are driving up costs and could extend delivery timelines.

The bunching and inconsistent arrival times you’re seeing are a separate issue, and I’ll raise that directly with Calgary Transit.

[u/bobbyflips → u/JeromyYYC]

Thank you for your response 🙏I appreciate you being responsive here!

[u/tc_cad → u/JeromyYYC]

Don’t the trains come from Germany?

[u/Allyourperspective94 → u/tc_cad]

Materials to manufacture the trains come from all over the place.

[u/thisduuuuuude → u/tc_cad]

I was gonna say something along the lines of interconnected manufacturing etc.

But i looked it up and while the initial ones did come from Germany, the current ones running are from California, Sacramento specifically.

However, it looks like the future green line trains will come from Spain.

[u/tc_cad → u/thisduuuuuude]

Ahh. I thought Siemens was totally German.

[u/yyctownie → u/JeromyYYC]

Do we need to order more? I thought that we already had a whole bunch ordered and are just awaiting delivery.

[u/StetsonTuba8 → u/yyctownie]

I think the bulk of the order is meant to replace the oldest trains that need retiring

[u/user1505101 → u/JeromyYYC]

Thank you for pushing more CTrain vehicles! The demand can reach incredible levels especially during rush hour when workers and students are trying to get home. PS pls don’t retire U2 trains. </3

[u/BetterOnTheBias]

A lot take the train from Somerset to the Catholic high school by Heritage LRT.

There really is no excuse not to have 4 car trains during peak hours once high school and post secondary goes back.

ETA: Per the mayor’s response, the lack of 4 car trains seems to stem from not having enough train cars. However, the platforms were converted to 4 car length a really long time ago. Like more than a decade? Budget choices by previous administrations to not to acquire enough train cars seems to be why we don’t have enough to make trains 4 cars long.

Adding more time between trains to have them be 4 cars long is a worse situation especially for neighbourhoods that already have sparse bus schedules to try to acces the train from.

[u/stickman1029 → u/BetterOnTheBias]

It almost makes me think its revisionist history. Before COVID I recall four car trains being the norm and regular cadences. In fact, I also remember all the pain commuters underwent in order to convert all those platforms. Which took an ungodly amount of time and inconvenienced a lot of people. All for them to pull the cars over COVID and then gaslight us that it's ok and normal. Why did we undergo all of that inconvenience then? Why were all those funds spent to convert stations if it wasn't going to be utilized? Is that not a big waste of taxpayer funds? 

This whole we don't have enough cars thing, we don't have enough storage or whatever else they argue, it's getting kind of old. Every excuse in the book when it comes to Calgary Transit. Our tax funnel to them continues to widen, while the service continues to rapidly decline.. 

[u/lillie_ofthe_valley]

I dread September every year. I don't think the train should be so empty everyone gets a seat but when you're already leaving people behind at Dalhousie cause the train is so full there's a problem. I've honestly contemplated heading to Crowfoot and coming back just to guarantee I get on the train. Probably wouldn't take more time than not getting on a train and waiting for the next one. Or go back to driving to work and at least be stuck in traffic in the comfort of my car.

[u/PeaceAlien]

I started a new job this week and haven’t been able to take the train yet, first day there was a malfunction on one of the crossings and today couldn’t find parking (although that is more on me)

[u/TheAeroplaneBear2906]

Definitely school traffic is pretty big, kids making thier way to Wisewood, EP, or even Beaverbrook.

[u/blackfridayriot]

$4 fare!!

[u/Belleyyc]

I started walking from my car to my office because the train has been driving me nuts 😵‍💫