10-20-2018, 05:33 PM
Calling Ottawa's system an LRT and comparing it with ours is a bit unfair - theirs is an "LRT" only in that it happens to use more-or-less off-the-shelf vehicles which are synonymous with a tramway than they are other modes. Their system is essentially a full blown light automated metro - and it's the nations' capital, so of course it's going to have massive and grandiose stations.
We'll never see something so elaborate, here - there is no need. Our system has been built to maximize coverage for a fixed cost - and as such, our stations are spartan. I really like our stations, though - don't get me wrong. The anchor walls were such a good example of using a local supplier (KW Glass, right next to the maintenance facility!) to come up with a totally unique and creative solution that looks like a million bucks, but didn't cost it.
Ottawa's system is half the size of ours and cost more than twice as much - hence the pretty stations.
We'll never see something so elaborate, here - there is no need. Our system has been built to maximize coverage for a fixed cost - and as such, our stations are spartan. I really like our stations, though - don't get me wrong. The anchor walls were such a good example of using a local supplier (KW Glass, right next to the maintenance facility!) to come up with a totally unique and creative solution that looks like a million bucks, but didn't cost it.
Ottawa's system is half the size of ours and cost more than twice as much - hence the pretty stations.