Belting it out on the bus: Karaoke Bus rolls into Calgary
Calgary Transit officials say a pilot project to let riders sing on a modified city bus is more than just a one hit wonder.
The first Karaoke Bus rolled into Brentwood station in the northwest on Wednesday morning and Calgarians quickly lined up to take turns on the microphone.
With the project hitting the right note with riders, there are already plans to send the stage on bus routes throughout the city.
"We're really excited to now take this on the road. Next week, we will be putting it in service," said Stephen Tauro with Calgary Transit.
"It will be on a random route, people won't know. They will have the option to take a normal bus if they want, but they can jump on this one for free and enjoy some music and perform while on their journey."
The first Karaoke Bus rolled into Brentwood Station in the northwest on Wednesday morning and Calgarians quickly lined up to take turns on the microphone.
Among the first singers to belt out a tune on transit was Tonica Clements. She's a regular transit rider, but had never seen a karaoke bus before.
"I think it's absolutely amazing," said Clements, who sang a pair of songs on the bus.
"Especially after the pandemic and everything going on and being dislocated from people, this is nice to be able to just let loose and to meet others."
Tauro admits organizers weren't sure how the idea of a stage on wheels would go over with transit users, but he said people were lined up to hop on the bus well before it opened for the first time.
"This idea really stems from our challenge to improve the customer experience. We were challenged with the pandemic -- it's been a hard two years -- so we were really looking at ways to activate transit spaces and bring back the joy to taking transit," Tauro said.
Jessica Maryka is another transit rider who took a turn singing karaoke. She chose to sing 'Fancy' by Reba McEntire because she was "feeling saucy," she said.
"I've never heard of anything like that before. You hear of maybe turning a bus into a house or whatever, but never a karaoke bus," Maryka said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.