The Edmonton Transit Service Advisory Board (ETSAB) has issued a report suggesting ways to improve bus and LRT service for visitors and tourists. The current system leaves a lot to be desired, according to ETSAB spokesman Izak Roux, who says issues start as soon as people land.
“From the moment a tourist steps off at the international airport and they get onto the 747 bus, you have to take out cash,” he said.
“How many of us go to a foreign country and arrive there with $10 or an equivalent in our pocket? I think very few of us.”
One thing Roux said is lacking is private-sector access to the Edmonton Transit Service (ETS). He said in many international cities, you can buy your fare ahead of time.
“Even Vancouver, I can immediately buy a pass or a one-day, two-day or weekly ticket at the 7-Eleven shop and I can get onto the train, no problem. Over here, we don’t have any other outlets, except for machines that are at the transit stations, but they don’t even accept credit cards.”
The report, which will be reviewed next week by council’s urban planning committee, makes seven recommendations:
1. Locate a transit hub that connects the local bus and LRT network with transit regional transportation services.
2. Offer fare options designed for tourists.
3. Use meaningful names, labels and symbols that are identifiable to outsiders.
4. Explore ways to provide greater transit access to river valley, including seasonal ferry services.
5. Review service frequency to key tourist destinations, particularly the 747 bus route to the Edmonton International Airport.
6. For any development that may attract tourists, ensure needs of tourists are incorporated from the outset.
7. Investigate the possibility of partnerships between ETS and the hospitality industry.
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“There’s no special passes for tourists,” Roux said. “There’s no interaction between ETS and the hotels. There’s no destination vouchers or anything like that, that can be passed onto tourists to say, ‘There’s five big points to visit in Edmonton and here is a pass that will take you to all five. You can jump onto this bus.'”
“We try to promote Edmonton as a city for festivals, a city for sports events, and we try to get international sports events here, so we have a lot of people coming here and they only stay for three or four days. How do we help them to get around? Very few are going to jump into a rental vehicle and start driving around. It’s better to get onto a bus or LRT and get around that way, but we don’t make it simple.”
The bad first impression Roux said the 747 bus gives is being addressed by Edmonton Economic Development (EEDC) and airport management. He said he’s heard they’re looking at increasing the frequency of the service. He also said work is being done on creating a transit hub to connect regional service with the ETS.
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