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howl said:
I don’t think a gondola could ever replace an existing transit line in the GTA and from my understanding that is NOT what the gondola proposed in Calgary is doing. An equivalent service in Toronto might be an express gondola from Union Station to the Island Airport or from Union to the East Bay Front.
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From Union to the Airport (or to the islands in general) I could see, but to the East Bayfront, not so much. There really isn't a single central node in the East Bayfront that it could easily connect to. That area is much more suited to a streetcar, because it's mid-rise avenue development as opposed to a centralized node. Semi-frequent stops along a single corridor, as opposed to an express route from one node to another.
 
Perhaps in places where there are high density highrises like St. Jamestown where they can be accessed from one of the upper floors, and go the nearby rapid transit networks. And also for sparsely populated areas like the far reaches of Scarborough for easier access to the rest of the network.
 
gweed123 said:
Gondolas fall into the same general ridership capacity block as curbside BRT does. If a curbside BRT couldn't handle the load, neither could a gondola. This is why I suggested the Square One to Cooksville route. It's within the range of having an express bus efficiently run it, so therefore it would be within the range of effective gondola operation as well.
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The area between Cooksville and Square is highly developed with high density residential, and single family housing. There isn't any space to place a gondola system. I am not sure residents will be receptive to the idea of having little cars moving over their property.

I am thinking maybe in Hamilton so pedestrians can traverse the escarpment easier.
 
Justin10000 said:
The area between Cooksville and Square is highly developed with high density residential, and single family housing. There isn't any space to place a gondola system. I am not sure residents will be receptive to the idea of having little cars moving over their property.
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You could potentially run it either within the Hurontario ROW, or through Mississauga Valley (an aerial view of the valley would be pretty nice I would imagine). The benefit of not having an midpoint stops is that it doesn't have to be the most direct route in order to be effective. It just has to get from Point A to Point B in a reasonable amount of time.

Justin10000 said:
I am thinking maybe in Hamilton so pedestrians can traverse the escarpment easier.
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Definitely in Hamilton it would be great. It would also be the easiest way to build a new crossing across Hamilton Harbour over to Burlington (I'm thinking specifically Aldershot GO as a final destination).
 
gweed123 said:
Definitely in Hamilton it would be great. It would also be the easiest way to build a new crossing across Hamilton Harbour over to Burlington (I'm thinking specifically Aldershot GO as a final destination).
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There were two funcicular railways in Hamilton that ceased operation in the 1930s due to automobile ownership growth and the fact they were privately owned operations (like all of Hamilton's transit until the 1960s) that had no subsidy. One was at the foot of James Street, the other at the foot of Wentworth Street. Hamilton is the only place in the GTA I can think of where a gondola makes sense, particuarly as an alternative to Jolley Cut/James Mountain Road. Indeed, UTDC (then a provincial corporation) ICTS plans for Hamilton in the 1980s saw a SRT/Skytrain connecting the Mountain with Downtown with a Detroit-style overhead loop in the lower downtown part of the city.
 
Video: http://www.albertaprimetime.com/Stories.aspx?pd=2298

May 4th, 2011

Moving commuters by gondola in northwest Calgary - a potential mass transit solution costing a fraction of a new LRT line. Proponents call it a quick, efficient and environmentally friendly way of moving people without adding to congestion. Others, however, question their value, claiming that unlike buses, gondolas can be a challenge to care for if transit needs change. What would such a system mean for city commuters, and is this an idea that could change the future of urban transit in Alberta? Joining us for this discussion is Peter Schryvers, Urban Planner from CITYTREND; and Bryce Tupper, Gondola Transit Specialist from NORR Architects Planners.
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The issue , as far as I see it, is not whether Calgary should build a Gondola per se but rather the idea that Calgary is willing to look at alternatives. A small LRT extension would be too expensive and a bus lane on an already congested street could still be too slow, unpredictable, and not have the capacity needed. the really important issue here is that Calgary and Vancouver are willing to look at non-traditional forms of transit where appropriate as opposed to Toronto's myopic view of "what worked historically will work now". That is not only a narrow minded view but also a damn expensive one. It also does not reflect the realities of urban transportation needs of 21st century cities where both the population and employment/entertainment/educational are scattered throughout a metropolitan area. The notion of people all going downtown for everything and going home to the burbs 9 to 5 are decades behind us and transit solutions must reflect that new reality.
Cities change and they must therefore embrace change if they are to succeed. Toronto's view of "traditional rail or nothing" is one of several reasons why rapid transit expansion in Toronto is that last 4 decades has averaged at stellar 6 km a decade. To right off new and innovative forms of transit is both short sighted and childish.
 
I think one of these could be great fun along the waterfront. From Cherry Beach to Exhibition Place.
Relatively inexpensive, non-intrusive, cheerful and scenic.
 
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