Edmonton’s LRT System: A Different Kind Of Magic Bullet?

by Donovan Creative in BRANDING, DONOVAN WORLD

29

Sep
2011

FILED UNDER

A Response to Avenue Magazine’s “Five Predictions About The Next Five Years“

By Paul Lemmerick

(Photo credit to Valerie27)

Specifically regarding the ever-expanding Light Rail Transit (LRT) system in Edmonton:

Plans for new LRT lines show a more urban style of transit,
with stations every 400 to 800 metres instead of one to two km
(typical of the existing lines). This will make stations more
accessible by foot, park-and-rides less practical and
Edmontonians better connected.

I tend to disagree that Edmontonians will be more connected. But that isn’t to say that I don’t wish I could agree.

Yes, more stops along the LRT line will certainly help increase usage and make our core more walkable.

However, I’ve met too many Edmontonians who don’t care about public transit —and the LRT in particular — to believe that in the next five (or even 10) years we’re going to start embracing it on a larger scale.

As much as we like to think that Edmonton is maturing into an international city, popular opinion indicates otherwise. We’re still growing out, rather than up. Our population remains very spread out, winding its way through our extensive, catacomb-like suburbs. The concept of building a more dense city centre hasn’t really taken hold.

Planning an effective transit system to efficiently deal with Edmonton’s physical and neighbourhood structure is a challenge, and one that is compounded by the fact that people here still love to drive. Edmonton might be as much a driving city as it is a hockey city.

Does that mean Edmontonians won’t eventually get on the right track for public transit? No, I don’t believe so. But I do think the issue is more complex than a build-it-and-they-will-come approach warrants. Rather, we need to learn to take cues from larger cities and help educate Edmontonians on the benefit of having a highly efficient light rail system.

But, hey. I really appreciate your optimism, Avenue.