LRT Information Page: Edmonton

LRT in

Edmonton

For monre information on transit in Edmonton,
see the Edmonton website at http://www.edmonton.ca and click on Transit

The LRT system in Edmonton is operated by ETS under the municipal government. Currently, there is only one line. Once known as Route 201, now timetables and maps label it "LRT Route". The line runs from north east of the downtown area, underground through downtown, then crosses the North Saskatchewan River heading south.

Toronto Comparison:

The LRT in Edmonton predates low floor technology, so it uses high floor vehicles with high platform loading to accomodate accessibility. While new implementations in Toronto will be low floor for accessibility, the Edmonon LRT provide a good example of the ways that the ROW can be implemented:

fenced-in surface ROW

separated median in roadway

tunnel sections where street running is not practical

U2 train at Clareview:
second car has new livery

Fare collection:

Fares may be purchased from vending machines on platforms or in station mezanines.

Photo courtesy of ETS

System Highlights
Number of lines:	1
Total length:	15.2 km (9.9 km at-grade)
Total stops:	13
Loading:	Platform at door level (93 cm above track)
Fleet:	37 Siemens-Duewag U2
	37 Siemens SD-160
U2 details:	Seats 64 passengers, plus 97 standing
	24.4 m long
	4 double folding doors per side (1.3 m wide)
SD-160 details:	Seats 60 passengers; room for 121 standees (click here for 4.28 MB data sheet)
	24.8 m long
	4 double sliding/plug doors per side (1.3 m wide)
Both details:	80 km/h top speed (nominal operating: 70 km/h)
	High floor for 100% of seating space and doors
Fare collection:	Self service, barrier free, proof of payment
Fare integration:	Fares same as bus fares
	Transfers valid between each for 90 minutes
Airport service:	No direct service

Adult single fare is $2.50 and is good for 90 minutes of travel in any direction with stop overs. When transferring to a bus, the LRT ticket is surrendered and replaced with a transfer with a 90 minute expiry time.

Current price for a day pass is $7.50 and the monthly pass is $??.

Fares info goes here along with ticket scans.

The fine for fare evasion is $110

Route Details
Length:	15.2 km
Stations:	13 (6 underground, 7 at-grade)
ROW:	Fenced ROW parallel to freight line (South)
	Roadway median and exclusive (North-West)
	7 LRT-road grade crossings
Service frequency:	5 minutes rush hours (5:30-9 am, 2:45-6:30 pm)
	10 minutes mid-day weekdays
	15 minutes evenings and Sundays
	10 minutes Saturdays (15 minutes after 6:30 pm)
Ridership:	50,000 per weekday
Opening:	April 22,1978 (6.9 km from Central to Belvedere)
	April 1981 (2.2 km extension to Clareview)
	June 1983 (0.8 km to Corona)
	September 1989 (0.8 km to Grandin)
	August 23, 1992 (1.6 km to University)
	May 14, 1994 (second track South Portal to University)
	January 3, 2006 (south extension to Health Sciences)
	April 25, 2009 (2.3 km to South Campus)
Planned opening:	April 2010 (5.5 km to Century Park)

SD-160 Interior

U2 Interior

Future LRT:

The southern extension from South Campus to Century Park has track completed and is undergoing safety testing of gates and signals. Full commissioning will be done early in 2010 and it is expected to be opened in April 2010.

Construction of a 3.1 km branch northwest from Churchill station to the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) is underway and is expected to be open in April 2014:

Here is a run-down of the trip on the route from Clareview to South Campus that takes approximately 24 minutes:

SD-160 train arriving at Clareview

All stations in Edmonton have island platforms, and most were built for a maximum train length of five cars, though trains currently run with only three cars.

The newest stations on the southern extension were to be initially built with shorter platforms that would be extended at a later time, but federal infrastructure funding has enabled them to be built to a full five car length at this time.

The line starts northeast of downtown near 139 Avenue and 42 Street at Clareview station. This station has a bus terminal on its east side and another on its west side. It also has 1372 parking spaces that are free to use, including five premium spaces for carpool users. This station is entirely enclosed, meaning that the roof of this station covers the entire platform length and covers the tracks.

Upon leaving Clareview, the line travels a couple of hundred metres before passing under 50 Avenue and reach where the crossovers are located.

Clareview station viewed from the south end of the platform

Clareview station facing south

Northbound U2 train arrives at Coliseum station

A southbound SD-160 train arrives at Belevedere station as a northbound U2 train is about to depart

2.2 km down the line is Belevedere station. It was the original northern terminus of the line when it first opened in 1978. It remained the terminus until Clareview opened in 1981. Belevedere has parking for 780 cars, including five premium spaces for carpooling users. Belevedere is also an entirely enclosed station.

About another 2.2 km down the line is Coliseum station, where the Rexall Coliseum is located.

Southbound SD-160 train departs Coliseum station:
Rexall Coliseum is visible to the east of the station