While I do think ridership is falling short of its potential (and some of the article's arguments make sense, such as some poor choices in the route, the failure in TOD, etc.), I feel like the projections for the VL SE were a tad too ambitious and that we'll see a big boost from the opening of the VLW by connecting Winketowin, McEwan, Norquest and WEM to the network. Just think about all the bus routes that currently serve those destinations/areas. They are some of the busiest in the system and arguably most users will make the switch to the LRT once its ready. And then there's the potential increases from added density that is already happening around the future stops (Warehouse district as a prime example, but all the other projects going on around in Winketowin, Glenora/North Glenora, Jasper Place, etc...).
The Valley Line will be okay, I believe, we just need to be patient. Even If adjustments need to be done such as crossings gates, maybe, as much I as fiercely hate the idea, might be a needed solution to improve travel times, for example.