Metro - Edmonton : Columnist - In Transit by Brendan Van Alstine

in transit by brendan van alstine

Make your voice heard, help change the world

August 24, 2009

This is it, the end … well, for me anyway. This will be my last week writing Metro’s In Transit column.

Why no public transit to the airport?

August 10, 2009

As I write this, I am sitting on a bus from the airport. Now hold on a second and don’t get too excited when I say the airport — I don’t mean the good ol’ Edmonton International.

Safety shield for drivers, not riders

July 20, 2009

Life ain’t easy when you’re a bus driver. Dealing with the public in any job can be difficult and frustrating at times, not to mention on rare occasions outright dangerous. And even though the vast majority riders on ETS are nice, polite and easy to deal with, there are a lot of crazies out there too.

Change coming to Edmonton suburbs?

June 22, 2009

Ah the suburbs … it sometimes feels like Edmonton is nothing more than an endless collection of them.

City begins testing smart card technology

June 08, 2009

Recently, some of you may have noticed the curious looking validator machines at the entrances to the Proof of Payment areas in all LRT stations. I, too, was curious about these contraptions but was rather pleased when I finally learned what they were; smart card validators!

LRT expansion takes people by surprise

May 25, 2009

Gorman: The very name conjures up images of, well, nothing in particular, really … Suffice to say, I was surprised to find out that Edmonton’s next LRT expansion, following the opening of Southgate and Century Park LRT stations in 2010, will be northeast to Gorman Station by 2012.

TransitCamp aims to give public a voice

May 04, 2009

At the end of May, transit geeks and activists from across the city will have the opportunity to get together and engage in a dialogue and discuss a range of topics.

Edmonton follows Earth Day with opening of LRT expansion

April 20, 2009

What started as an environmental “teach-in” in April, 1970, has since turned into what we now have come to know as Earth Day, which officially falls on April 22 every year.

New LRT: Short-term pain for long-term gain

April 06, 2009

It’s the moment the people of Mill Woods have waited almost 30 years for.

Top 10 ways to amuse yourself on ETS

March 23, 2009

I’ve been known to rant and rave about the inefficiencies of Edmonton Transit’s routes

Funding slash ironic in economic crisis

March 09, 2009

A few months ago I wrote a column about the $2-billion the provincial government committed to transit projects in Alberta.

Fares continue to rise despite service flatline

February 02, 2009

I didn’t really see this coming — but as of this month, an ETS monthly pass officially ceased to be a good investment for me. That’s because, although poorly publicized, as of February, the cost of the monthly pass goes up to $74.25.

Are bus tickets the next gift card?

January 19, 2009

We’ve all had it happen to us at some point.

Maybe it was a friend or family member who just wasn’t quite sure what to get us, so they just got a gift card.

Late-night service needed every night

January 05, 2009

Doubtless, many of you went out to celebrate the new year with a drink or two at your favourite establishment. Indeed, I’m sure many of you stayed out into the wee hours of the morning.

Citizens can urge province for funding

December 22, 2008

We’re in a transit culture now. Or at least that’s what Peter Smith, chair of GO Transit (greater Toronto’s commuter rail) said last week.

Increase frequency to unbunch buses

December 08, 2008

One sometimes wonders just what the Edmonton Transit System was thinking when it came up with some of its bus schedules.

Politicians take transit challenge

November 24, 2008

Civic politicians got an eyeful this week as they rode Edmonton-area trains and buses, relying on the transit system exclusively to get them around.