In Transit Newsletter - January 2009

 

ETS Platinum

Edmontonians will be seeing a new ETS bus on the streets this year.

ETS Platinum is a concept vehicle.  From outside to inside, from front to back, it’s loaded with new features aimed at improving a customer’s transit experience.

The state of the art farebox automatically validates and processes coins, bills and magnetic fare cards.   It has smart card technology too.  The television screens can show GPS, weather updates or DVDs.  The Wi-Fi capability provides high-speed, secure access to the internet.  And these are only a few of the inside features.

Outside, it’s hard to miss the iridescent paint scheme that changes colour as you walk around the bus.  And the destination signs are multi-coloured to create eye-catching information.

All the features on this prototype vehicle have been donated by the suppliers.  

As an industry, we want to find out what features customers want to see on transit systems in the future.  As ETS Platinum travels to events in the coming year, we’ll be asking what features you’d like to have on your transit trips.  You can also comment at  www.takeETS.com/StreetTeam.

Stadium Station Transit Oriented Development

A series of community consultations on “transit oriented development” in the Stadium LRT Station area is beginning in the new year, sponsored by the City of Edmonton's Smart Choices Program.

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is how city planners describe urban development that is planned and integrated with a transit station at its core. The result is a vibrant, attractive and unique place that fosters a walkable neighbourhood and makes transit easy to use.   

The first of three community workshops to discuss the Stadium Station TOD Plan is being held January 21, 2009, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at the Santa Maria Goretti Centre Theatre Hall.  Workshop participants will have an opportunity to provide input to the Plan's objectives.  Please RSVP to Lisa Larson, Planner, Smart Choices Program, at 780-944-0103 or lisa.larson@edmonton.ca if you'd like to attend.       

Southgate Shelters Update

The two large heated shelters that were installed at the temporary transit centre at 51 Avenue & 111 Street have been moved to the new Southgate Transit Centre.

One shelter has been placed on the north end of the centre island and the second has been placed at the south end.  These shelters will remain on site until the permanent transit centre building has been completed.

New Donate-a-Ride Sponsor

We’re very pleased to announce a new sponsor for Donate-a-Ride – River City Credit Union Ltd.   Thanks to their sponsorship, their members will receive information on the program through the mail and in their newsletter, and have the opportunity to donate to the program when in the branches.  River City Credit Union will match members’ donations received between December 31, 2008 and January 31, 2009 at their branches and from their mail appeal.  They have also designated Donate-a-Ride as their target charity for the 2009 Classic Car Show and Pancake Breakfast.

The Donate-a-Ride campaign runs from New Year’s Eve, December 31 to the end of this month, January 31.

Funds raised by Donate-a-Ride are used to purchase ETS tickets for Edmonton social service agencies who distribute them to clients who need transportation.

The only City of Edmonton, City Council initiated charity, Donate-a-Ride is a partnership of private businesses, municipal government and charitable organizations. 

You can support the program by using the Donate-a-Ride envelopes on all buses, through the Online Store, by mail or phone to the United Way or the Citizen Action Centre in City Hall, or at the Donate-a-Ride kiosk on the platform of Churchill LRT Station.

 For more information about Donate-a-Ride and how you can contribute to the program, see http://www.donatearide.ab.ca/.

Ticket & Pass Exchange

Customers with ETS tickets and unused day passes expiring at the end of 2008 may exchange them at the ETS Customer Information Centre, located on the concourse level of Churchill LRT Station.

Last day for exchange is Friday, January 30, 2009 

Due to printing delays from our suppliers, the 2009 Day Pass is not available for purchase at this time. Delivery is anticipated early in the new year. Updates on the arrival of the Day Pass will be posted in our website. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Thanks from Stuff a Bus

A big thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of our annual Stuff a Bus campaign – all the ETS volunteers for their time, Save On Foods stores for their participation, Capital FM radio, The Edmonton Journal and Global TV for their support and promotion, and the Food Bank volunteers for their enthusiasm. 

This year we collected 30,760 kg of food. So our biggest thanks goes to Edmontonians who once again opened their hearts and wallets to support Edmonton’s Food Bank.

Transit Information on 311

Transit information is now available 24 hours a day, every day of the year by dialing 311.

311 is the new connection to City of Edmonton programs and services – including transit information.  You no longer need to dial 780-496-1611 for trip information, schedules, fares, special event information, etc. 

BusLink service is still available at 780-496-1600.  DATS registrants will continue to call DATS directly at 780-496-4567.  And customers will continue to use 780-442-4900 to report suspicious activity to Transit Watch.

For more information:

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