EDMONTON – It’s already packed full every day, but changes to the Park and Ride lot at Century Park could make taking transit even less convenient in the future.
Currently, the city is only leasing the Park and Ride lot, which has about 1,200 stalls. It’s reached the halfway point on the 10-year lease.
Despite several attempts to create a new lot nearby, the city may have to ask passengers to add another leg onto their commute.
The original plan for a Park and Ride lot to built at the Century Park LRT station and at the Southgate LRT station.
However, the shopping centre wouldn’t allow the development and the Century Park lot was scrapped because of soaring costs.
READ MORE: Changes ahead for Century Park Park and Ride
Now, the city is looking at building another Park and Ride lot, but this one would be south of the Anthony Henday, located at Ellerslie Raod and 127 Street.
But, there is no LRT there, so commuters would have to use a shuttle bus to get to the LRT station.
“That would be very inconvenient and very disappointing actually,” said commuter Renae Gervais.
She said it would likely make her total commute two hours long.
What will she do if the shuttle option goes ahead?
“Maybe try to find a job closer to the south side.”
Fellow commuter Jason Ingledew agrees the possible set-up defeats the purpose of quick and efficient LRT.
“Most people will just take the bus,” he said.
“I kind of switch between driving downtown myself and taking the LRT,” said Ingledew. “It just depends on which days I have the most flexibility.”
Ward 9 Councillor Bryan Anderson is not a fan of the shuttle idea.
“I believe the cost of running the shuttle bus could be better used paying back a loan that would allow us to extend the LRT and not have to run that shuttle,” he explained.
“The most important thing that can happen at Century Park right now is that we continue with the residential development,” said Ward 10 Councillor Michael Walters. “Any other kinds of developments are secondary interest to me at this point in time.
“The focus is to make that the residential … high-density, transit-oriented urban village that it was intended to be and that’s what we’re working on.”
A Park and Ride lot will be built when the Valley LRT line opens in the south side of the city connecting Mill Woods to downtown.
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