Airport Transit
I’ve been pushing on this issue for some time, and finally we got to discuss the matter today at the Transportation and Public Works Committee. There were two reports:
The first report was from the Edmonton Transit System Advisory Board advocating that an ETS pilot project commence with the opening of LRT to Century Park. Some very interesting passenger survey information about attitudes toward airport transit which provided food for thought for the committee.
The second report was in response to my motion subsequent to the City Centre Airport closure decision that directed the city to work towards airport service with our regional partners and the airport authority.
Much has already been said about why this is important, so I’ll just say that this is one of those litmus tests of whether we’re a city or a town.
The following motion was passed, which should keep with idea moving with our regional partners, which is the preferred way of achieving this service, but provides for a Plan-B the regional plans stall or prove less than ideal for Edmontonians:
That Administration bring a report to TPW March 16 of 2010 providing:
1) known and proposed implementation details of the Capital Region Board inter-municipal transit plan, including specific details of how Edmontonians might connect to the International Airport
2) a commentary on the ETSAB report 2009CATR01 with an assessment of feasibility of the ETSAB proposal and recommendations for implementation of transit service to the airport in the event that the Capital Region Board initiative either won’t adequately serve Edmontonians or is delayed indefinitely.
I’m curious to know if the ETSAB did any sort of price elasticity analysis. My initial reaction is that this service is a bargain at twice the price and my gut tells me that doubling the fare would not halve the ridership.
I understand the simplicity of having the fare equal to a regular transit fare, but I am more excited about the possibility of a transit service that generates revenues that could be re-invested in ETS within the city.
My two cents.
FYI: The link to the first report (Edmonton Transit System Advisory Board ) is not working.
In response to Kiri, I would suggest that virtually all public transit systems are “loss leaders” for their given municipalities and running this project any differently would require a far higher fair than a mere doubling. Transit, like many important public services, should not be looked at a cash cow. If there was a profit generating business model for this needed service, the private sector would have already moved in and gladly taken up the proceeds. That this has not happened shows that the City can rightly expect this project to come at a cost. However that does not mean that we should not have this service, it would be a valuable addition to our City. I encourage Mr. Iveson and all councillors to expedite getting this service asap.
Neal,
Based on the first report (which I read last night, but isn’t available today) the analysis indicated that even with the $2.50 fare, cost recovery would be possible, and even likely, with relatively low participation rates.
It was that fact that prompted my question. Why not strive for a transit service that not only covers its own costs, but helps offset costs of other, less profitable arms of ETS.
It’s a long hard slog, but it will be totally worth it to have a transit bus of some kind with some known regular frequency heading out to YEG. It is long over due.
The Sky Shuttle is so awful as a service that true public transit is a must in the short term. Implement it for April 2010 (or sooner).
Don, keep up the work on this. I think the City could easily brand this service somehow and charge $10 return with very little effect on use. Perhaps good transit service that ties to the LRT will help rationalize the cab situation in time. In Ottawa you can catch a bus outside of your downtown hotel and go right to the airport. It’s quite civilized really.
Given the distance and the type of ‘premium’ service this is, without a bus pass, I think a $5 ride to the airport is not unreasonable.
Great work on this issue Don! While I personally would be willing to pay a bit more for effective transit to the airport, it would be good to price it so that even families would find it a no brainer to use the cost effective and efficient service. While I agree that a regional approach is good, we have to ensure that the service is non-stop. If Nisku and Leduc wish to have this service to extend to their municipalities then perhaps every second bus could go there after it goes to the airport or have a connection for those areas at the airport. Having this service would make the decision to give up my car an easier one to make!