Airdrie-Calgary Transit
story by Alex Frazer-Harrison/photo by Sergei Belski
Commuting to and from Calgary will soon get cooler.
The InterCity Express (ICE) transit service is set to officially launch Sept. 1, providing links between Airdrie and several transit hubs in Calgary.
"The idea is something that has been identified by the community for a number of years as something they’d like to see council pursue," says Chris MacIsaac, transit marketing co-ordinator for the City of Airdrie. "Our service contract with our local transit provider is coming to an end [this summer], so it was the ideal time to look at expanding."
ICE's final route and the company that will be contracted to operate the buses are details that need to be worked out before the service is expected to start this fall, says MacIsaac.
Airdrie will have two new park-n-rides: in Gateway near the Superstore, and in Sierra Springs by the Comfort Inn. ICE will use three buses with capacity of up to 66 passengers each, MacIsaac says. "The initial plan is to get the service on its feet for the a.m. and p.m. peak times," he says. "In the long term, the goal is to have that service run throughout the day."
After leaving Airdrie, the bus route has yet to be determined, says MacIsaac, with both Highway 2 and Centre Street as candidates; ultimately, the route will make the first of three Calgary stops at the Northpointe transit hub in Calgary’s north end. MacIsaac notes, however, there are no plans in the initial rollout to include a stop at CrossIron Mills Mall at Balzac.
The ICE service is the first major component of a proposed regional transit system that ultimately will link communities surrounding Calgary and Rocky View County.
ICE will also spark a revamp of transit within Airdrie itself, with new community shuttles introduced and revisions to two bus routes that will facilitate access to the ICE terminals.
David Cooper, transit planner with Calgary Transit, which has partnered with the City of Airdrie and the province, says he expects commuters will welcome the link. "We feel it will be successful," Cooper says.
According to MacIsaac, more work needs to be done before the ICE buses roll. "People can watch out for our marketing campaign this summer, [which will] encourage people to look at that transit option," he says, adding that ICE has potential to bring consumers to Airdrie as it develops beyond a commuter service. "I think there are some great opportunities for businesses to get on board."
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