Transportation

In Transit Newsletter - October 2009

The Every Day Way to earn AIR MILES® reward miles

Welcome to a new chapter in the ETS collaboration with the AIR MILES® Reward Program!

Starting October 1, the first 1000 ETS customers purchasing an Adult Monthly Pass online each month at takeETS.com/buytransit will be able to earn 10 AIR MILES reward miles. This special offer is available until December 31 as an enhancement to the original pilot program which allows customers to purchase monthly passes by redeeming AIR MILES reward miles.

ETS is now the first government entity (federal, provincial or municipal) in Canada to offer customers the opportunity to earn AIR MILES reward miles with their purchases. This collaboration is part of the AIR MILES My Planet™ program which helps AIR MILES collectors to make more environmentally sustainable choices in their every day lives, including taking transit.

Stay Safe on Halloween

ETS is participating with UNICEF again this year in the “Partners for Safety”program.

The program is designed to encourage youngsters to participate in the Trick or Treat for UNICEF Program by helping to ensure a safe environment for children on Halloween night.

“Partners for Safety” tells kids about the types of vehicles, like ETS buses, they can approach if they need assistance on Halloween night.

All ETS buses and LRT vehicles are equipped with two-way radios so emergency assistance is only a phone call away. Uniformed ETS employees are some of the most highly visible members of the community and we encourage them to promote themselves as someone you can turn to in case of an emergency.

ETS at Boo at the Zoo

Look for ETS staff at Boo at the Zoo on Sunday, October 18 from 12 noon to 4pm. We’ll be there as part of the UNICEF “Partners for Safety” promotion.

This event highlights the groups participating in the program and gives kids an opportunity to see the types of vehicles they should be approaching for assistance on Halloween night. As well, we’ll have safety tips and a variety of promotional items available.

South LRT to Heritage Valley

The City of Edmonton Transportation Department is holding a public Open House on Thursday, October 8 from 4pm - 8 pm to share information about preliminary design of the South LRT extension from Century Park to Ellerslie Road. This event will take place at the Ellerslie Rugby Club at 11004 Ellerslie Road.

An Open House on concept planning for the 127 Street/Anthony Henday Drive interchange will also take place at the same time and location.

In July 2008, City Council approved the Concept Plan for a South LRT extension from Century Park to the south city limits. In addition to providing details of the 4.5 km segment to Ellerslie Road which is being addressed now, staff will be collecting input and suggestions on items such as aesthetics, landscaping and noise attenuation.

This South LRT extension includes the design of a new LRT station, transit centre and permanent park and ride facility at Ellerslie Road and 127 Street. It will involve further technical analysis and opportunities for public involvement.

Run for the Cure Service

The CIBC Run for the Cure is on Sunday, October 4 this year.

In support of this Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation fundraiser, we are pleased to provide free travel on ETS regular service, bus and LRT, from 8am - 4 pm for participants wearing a 2009 Run t-shirt.

The event takes place at Churchill Square and participants are encouraged to use transit to avoid traffic congestion.

Every year this event raises millions of dollars for breast cancer research. For information or to register check http://www.cbcf.org/.

Back to Standard Time

It’s time fall back, as we return to Mountain Standard Time. Daylight Time ends the first Sunday in November.

Remember to turn your clocks back one hour.

Southgate & Century Park Pedways Open

Construction has been completed on the two overhead pedestrian crossings above 111 Street at the new LRT stations at Southgate and Century Park. The pedways are scheduled to be available for public use by the end of this month, however the stations themselves won’t open until April 2010.

City engineers are currently coordinating installation of security systems inside the pedways. Security monitoring is essential to the safety of the pedways, since they will be open to the public 24 hours, seven days a week.

Once the security systems are properly installed, the pedways will offer a safe footpath between the LRT and bus facilities at Southgate and Century Park, as well as the adjacent neighbourhoods and nearby shopping centres. The Southgate pedway will open a week or two in advance of the Century Park pedway as workers complete the southern portion of the multi-use trail that runs alongside the LRT track. Once the multi-use trail is finished the Century Park pedway will open.

ETS Thanksgiving Service

All ETS routes will operate on their regular Sunday service schedules on the Thanksgiving Holiday, Monday, October 12.

Transit information is available by calling 311. The ETS Customer Services Centre including Lost & Found will be closed on Monday.

Check the ETS Trip Planner or call BusLink at 780-496-1600 for service information.