In an attempt to improve ridership on Calgary’s public transit, one councillor is seeking to increase the number of stops along the city’s busy Red Line.
Gian-carlo Carra, the councillor for Ward 9, says it’s time to add more stops to make the transitway more accessible for riders.
He’s expected to make the motion on Monday during the city council meeting.
He says his plan is based on supporting the growth of the city while helping build user-friendly transit.
The stops that Carra has in mind are not new ideas. The stations were proposed in the past, but council didn’t have the time or funding to build them at the time.
Carras says that with current development plans, it makes a lot more sense to build them sooner rather than later.
“Look at the cost, look at the potential revenue from new riders, look at the potential revenue from a new tax base. Look at the challenges involved. Our line works as good as it does because it whisks people across vast distances quickly.”
He is seeking a viability study into the idea of adding more stations and hopes it could be done by 2017.
Carra’s plan includes at least three new stations:
One near ENMAX’s headquarters on 50 Avenue
Near Northland Village Mall
South of Chinook Station, near the corner of Macleod and Glenmore Trails
The meeting at city council begins at 9 a.m.
